Friday, October 19, 2012

Career Setbacks Can Lead to Opportunities

Most everyone experiences setbacks or disappointments throughout their career—some people may encounter many. Although they’re not always welcome, setbacks can serve as invaluable growth and learning opportunities.

Look at the Big Picture
When you experience a setback, it is easy to view the situation personally and over analyze it. While it is important to acknowledge your feelings, once you get over the disappointment, you’ll benefit more from viewing the big picture and studying the matter objectively. You may discover that the decision leading to your setback or disappointment was not personal at all and had more to do with management’s need to meet numbers at a specific point in time. Or, if you are truly honest with yourself, you may find that you weren’t ready to take on that new role or project you were trying for. It may help to think back to other times in your work or personal life where disappointment eventually led to bigger and better opportunities.

Uncover the Opportunities in Every Situation
Situations involving setbacks or disappointments are often opportunities for personal and professional growth. Focus on what you can learn from each experience and identify actions you can take that will help you grow. For example, if you were bypassed for a promotion due to your limited project management experience, are there existing team opportunities for leading a group project at work or through a volunteer organization.

Any career will have its ups and downs, but with dedication, hard work, and the right attitude, your career journey can still be rewarding and fulfilling.

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