Getting over a career setback

Getting over a career setback

Every person at some point in their career will experience a setback, whether at a job interview, a redundancy, or even a small networking introduction that didn’t go as planned. Whatever the situation, obstacles throughout a career are a guarantee. Finding coping mechanisms that minimise the negative impact of setbacks is an essential life skill. 

As a rule of thumb, the way we choose to think about a struggle has a lot to do with our success in overcoming it. Our mindset, ideas, attitude and approach towards the situation, can help us find a positive solution.

Leading motivation and behavioural change researchers, such as Stanford’s Carol Dweck, have shown through solid research just how powerful the right mindset can be. For example, Dweck demonstrated in a study of pre-med students, that individuals with a defeatist mindset achieved lower grades than those with a proactive mindset that strived for growth and development. By shifting their mindset, the students were able to significantly influence their levels of success and alter the outcomes.

Three easy steps to take control of your mindset are;

1. Become aware of your default mindset

Think first - The crucial first step in overcoming an obstacle (sometimes before it has even come about) is to identify our default mindset.  How are we going to react to the challenging situation?

 For example, if an interview did not go as well as we had initially hoped, is the first thought:-

 “That’s a huge setback, and a big opportunity I have missed. I should just give up.”

Being able to step back from the current situation and consider the automatic thoughts and emotions that it has provoked before reacting, gives us the space to explore alternative response options.

2. Consider a completely opposite approach

Get creative - consider a different approach and explore options for responding to the current challenge.
Using our imaginations to consider alternatives can open up new and positive ways of thinking.

Following the example of an interview that did not go well, there are many external factors outside of our control that could have influenced that outcome. However, an analysis of what we could have done differently will provide a positive framework for the next time.

3. Choose your mindset

Be selective - choosing our mindset sets us on a positive path to overcome and grow from setbacks. It can take us in different directions and open new opportunities. It is interesting to note that when we smile (even during the toughest of times) our body responds by releasing endorphins which make us feel happy and lowers stress levels.

 Noticing how we feel when considering a challenge or situation can give us insight into our mindset. We might feel energised, inspired, motivated or, conversely, deflated, down heartened and lacking in confidence. We always have the choice to allow our emotions to affect our mindset, or chose our mindset to alter our emotions positively.

There is no right or wrong mindset, every one of us is an individual with our own unique challenges.  Considering the importance of choosing our mindset and understanding the powerful impact it can have on outcomes is a practice that will enable us to move forward.

Article originally published on themuse.com