Dealing with setbacks in career

I had heard this saying once – “ Sometimes in life you go slower to go faster”. We deal with multiple ups and downs daily, in cycle of life, and it’s one of those times where its end of the year 2021 and a reflective phase where I chose to write about the topic of how one deals with setbacks/difficult times in career. In the course of pandemic and even earlier in life, have closely experienced?situations where survival was crucial and hence continuing one’s job was a primary level need.

Of the many insecurities one goes through – financial insecurity is hard-hitting- because it affects several other insecurities – emotional, mental, health etc. I am not discounting the others however when you don’t earn enough for survival- how will you manage rest?

The pandemic saw several through difficult times at work, with pay cuts, job losses. While pandemic triggered this, in many cases we might end up in situations like these due to the plethora of situations we face in life, where we may need to make a choice to take a step back in careers. This may include – taking a step back to be primary care giver, quitting, or taking a smaller role, or opting for a pay cut, or a complete change in career.

The objective of writing this is share my emotions as I went through this as a professional, and a single parent. I must say that I do respect a lot of colleagues who are primary income earners for the sheer load of responsibility they have on their heads to keep the engines running for homes so #Respect.

My two bits in case you are in any of these situations:

1.??Treat yourself kindly- The situation is not a reflection of your potential or your self-worth. Emotions in these times can be very hard. There may be times where you may be tired of explaining why the step back was taken. Perhaps you decided to be the primary care giver for your child, or as a parent to keep engines running at home, or simply because you didn’t enjoy what you were doing. Find people who know you well and listen to you. It may be hard to be optimistic- however find environment which keeps you in high spirits. It is not easy to deal with a pay cut no matter what- especially if your choice was- you had no choice. It’s not easy to deal with a smaller role, find things which keep you mentally engaged. Any company worth its salt will discover your capabilities if you do your best no matter what.

2.??????Find ways to learn and strengthen experience- Satiate the Head - Build new skills, stay relevant. Stay updated in your field, or beyond your field. A new skill keeps spirits high, adds to your resume and also shows your prospective company that you are someone who is resilient, and want to learn.

3.??????Find ways to satiate the Heart- While the above adds skills, find ways to satiate the heart- pick something you love doing or want to try doing. A sport, a hobby, reading, singing- could be anything which makes you happy and triggers the happy chemicals in the brain. At a certain stage in career- where I had a to take a step back- I chose to start theater and cooking again. It made me happy, it made others happy- to savor the food. Find ways of giving back- to community, to children- its immensely gratifying and adds to your profile as well. You are someone who chose again to spread happiness.

4.??????Network- Never underestimate power of networking including using LinkedIn. Create connections that matter, meet people to find what’s going on in industry. It can be a great way to create opportunities which one wouldn’t have thought of.

5.??????Find someone to speak to- A friend, a counselor, advisor who keeps you going. I remember a dear friend and a senior colleague’s advice when I went through a time in career where i was frustrated and in a zone of “ What am I doing in life” and he reminded me to look at larger purpose, what matters, and how the current was a small part of that. One of my super intelligent relatives in HR is going through a phase as a new mother – of how everything will move on and she may be left behind. All I advised is- What is the purpose now? – Focus on that. Everything will fall in place eventually if you believe in your capabilities.

6.??????Don’t push yourself to be happy- however find reasons to stay happy- Accept what you feel- frustration, sadness, anger everything. No point in denial. However find reasons of being happy too- doing things above may help

Human beings have this immense power , capacity ?and resilience within which is unleased in times when challenged. So trust your self, your being. In true bollywood style, quoting from SRK- If the ending is not perfect- “ Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost”

Stay Happy, Safe and Wish you a Happy 2022!