Work Prompt #3: How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your career?
Welcome back all, I hope you are all taking it easy on yourself at work this week.
Last week we discussed: How did your emotions change throughout the day and what triggered those changes? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your career, and what lessons have you learned from them?
I wanted to start a discussion on the challenges and setbacks we experienced in our careers and how it shaped us to move forward. I look forward to hearing and discussing with you all!
How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your career, and what lessons have you learned from them?
Honestly, I just keep trying to move forward. If something doesn't work out at a job or makes me miserable, I start looking for a new job, because it's not worth it.
In my current situation, I'm a part-time temp, which has been challenging financial-wise however... There's a permanent full-time position opening up and my boss asked if I would apply and I said yes. He told me the position isnt up yet, but to do that if I'm interested. He also mentioned I've been doing pretty good at the job position, so fingers crossed!
@ImpudentIncognito Thank you for opening up and sharing your thoughts, Impudent. It sounds like you have been taking a sensible approach by seeking new opportunities when a job is not a good fit. Moving forward in a way that respects your well-being is important. I am glad to hear your current boss recognizes your good work and suggested applying for the permanent position. Maintaining hope while the process unfolds can be challenging - you seem to have a determined spirit.
I work from home and I have young kids, I try to set apart a time frame when I can get work done and it's been going good like this, I use to have setbacks by not planning my work schedule but since I block out time for my work and time with my kids I feel more productive and centered, I don't have many challenges anymore like I use too 🙌
@unassumingCar1350 That's good to hear that you don't have as many challenges as before! I used to work from home, but I switched positions, so have to (mostly) be in the office depending on task... I liked working from home since it was close to the little ones daycare and I could walk right over there if there were any issues. It's also good to hear you have a healthy work/life balance and can spend time with your kids. :)
How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your career, and what lessons have you learned from them?
I have been challenged and set back numerous times during my career. When you work at a career as long as I have, (26 years), there are going to be some good times, bad times, hard times, and challenges. When I was younger, I would face them head on, fight for what I thought was the right thing, even if it wasn't in the eyes of the administration, and take the outcome as it was. If it was a good outcome, great. If it was not so good, I would take responsibility for my part in it, learn what I could from it and move on. As I am aging, I am finding that I am looking for the easy path now. Most of my challenges and set backs come from staff. Staff who don't or can't do what they are supposed to. Staff who are doing the all they can to boost their own careers, not caring about who they take down on their way up.....we all know the kind ....I'm just about 3 years from a retirement package, I don't want to deal with the drama involved in a lot of what goes on. The nepotism, the back stabbing, the cliques....its all there, but I do my best to avoid all that. After much self reflection, I can honestly say a lot of the burnout I experience at work is from having to deal with the staff and that type of environment. Its draining to me and I just don't want to deal with it any more. I keep to myself, do what I have to do, and don't socialize with any co-workers in any way other than professional. This makes me a not so popular guy at work, but that doesn't really bother me. So to answer your question, I try to avoid the challenges in the workplace and by doing this, I can avoid set backs. While there are challenges that can't be avoided, and setbacks that happen that are out of my hands, I find the best way to handle them is head on, take any responsibility for my actions that I need to, admit when I'm wrong, and unfortunately, sometimes just conforming to change, whether you think its right or not, to avoid the confrontation and drama is the best answer for me. I'm looking for the end game....the out.....my retirement...doing what I have to do to make it there as stress free as possible is the goal.
@CyclingThroughLife Hi again, good to see you Cycling. I hope you are taking easy on yourself. It sounds like you have faced many challenges over your long career. Dealing with difficult staff dynamics and workplace politics for so many years understandably feels draining. Maintaining your professionalism while avoiding unnecessary drama is a wise approach as you near retirement. I am glad to hear you focus on taking responsibility and adapting to changes within your control. How have you maintained your motivation through challenging times in the past?
@ASilentObserver
"I am glad to hear you focus on taking responsibility and adapting to changes within your control. How have you maintained your motivation through challenging times in the past?"
Unfortunately, my motivation has always come from maintaining a lifestyle for my family, ie, the paycheck, benefits and the light at the end of the tunnel, the retirement. My career pays well, probably because of the stressful environment that comes with it, and it has good benefits and retirement. The hours aren't really family friendly, with the facility needing to be staffed 24/7, but again, probably part of the reason for the good pay. I was young when I started the career, and I created a lifestyle for me and my family, based on income. By the time I got tired of dealing with all the challenges that come with the job, I was "too far in" to leave and start over at the bottom somewhere else in a new career. It also goes to the fact that, and I just had this conversation with another 7cups member in another forum, that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Sometimes its better to find a way to deal with the stress you know vs the stress you don't know, if that makes sense.
@CyclingThroughLife Thank you for more context and thoughts, Cycling. It sounds like maintaining stability for your family played a big role in your career choice, though the long hours have taken their toll over time. You have built a thoughtful perspective recognizing both pros and cons in your current situation versus change. How have you been coping with the daily challenges in your role, if I can ask?
@ASilentObserver
"How have you been coping with the daily challenges in your role, if I can ask?"
I go out of my way to make sure things are the way they are supposed to be so I can avoid any challenging situation. If I can do something to prevent it, I"m doing all I can. Like I've said before, I'm at a place where I just want peace. If I have to face a challenge, its the same as always, face it head on like I've always done.
@CyclingThroughLife Thank you. It seems seeking peace and avoiding difficult situations when possible has helped you. I am glad you feel able to handle what comes your way.
So I am a self employed baker and I love baking but lately I've had an issue pop up with a customer that was out of my control (was due to the postal system) and this customer is doing everything in their power to destroy my business. I'm sensitive and am struggling with my mental health quite a lot and so this has caused me quite a bit of upset. I keep questioning whether I should be running a business and have struggled to feel motivated this week. Needless to say, I'm not the best at facing challenges but really appreciate the support on here!
@SammyLouise It sounds like facing this challenge with the difficult customer has taken a toll on your mental health and motivation. Dealing with issues outside of our control can be really stressful. You have worked so hard as a baker and business owner - it's understandable this situation would cause upset. You don't have to face it alone. We are all here with you to support and listen. How have you been taking care of yourself during this time?
@SammyLouise
I think that's so cool you're self employed and I can kinda relate to how it might feel to be attacked like that by a customer around things outside one's control. How are you doing now? Are there things that have helped or made it worse that you feel comfortable sharing?
@communicativePond1728I've actually stepped away from my business for a bit to focus on my second job in teaching. It sounds like I'm admitting defeat but actually my business, the long hours, and the little reward was starting to really get me down. By tutoring I have more set hours and am so much happier.
@ASilentObserver
How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your career, and what lessons have you learned from them?
I usually try to cope with my difficult emotions by carefully thinking through whatever challenge comes along my way, and I have learnt that life is full of challenges and the what we need to do is learn how to work through challenges, not avoid them.
@KateDoskocilova Kate, you have gained valuable insight through facing challenges in your career. Reflecting carefully on difficulties and what can be learned from them is a wise approach. ou also mentioned the importance of working through challenges rather than avoiding them which I think is a good way to put it.
@KateDoskocilova
That's really smart. Is there any specific examples of times where you did this and it was an excellent outcome that you're willing to share?
@communicativePond1728 my challenges overall as of now are related to school and my studies, so I often have to find ways to overcome those challenges.
One of my most common challenges as of now is efficient studying and actually studying. how i usually deal with this challenge is I try to approach it in different ways (such as trying different studying methods) to see which one works best for me in order to efficiently study :)
How do I navigate challenges and setbacks in my career?
I've stoped puting more hours only to find out someone else would take credit for it or my ideas and effort would be dismissed. Now I just don't care anymore, which is probably not a good strategy either.
What lessons have I learned?
Everyone is looking for their own benefit, not the global benefit so I loose touch with the project's aim and I get frustrated and demoralised.
@Suen00 I understand you have faced some challenges and setbacks at work that have left you feeling frustrated and demoralized. Those experiences would understandably shake anyone's confidence.
Thank you @ASilentObserver
I wonder what's the best way to regain confidence, motivation and purpose...
@Suen00
I hate when that happens. It gets me all steamed up. Then I feel bad about being steamed up, like something is wrong with me. It scares me.
@communicativePond1728 I no longer get steamed up, it seems that I just don't even have the energy for that. I'm glad you can take these bad energies out of your body. Why is it scary for you?
Probably the main challenge in everyone's career is to find stability, a good working environment, a community at work, and a fulfilling project... All together.
I suspect the main challenges come from sacrificing one or the other just to have a job because it's better than nothing. Maybe we need to be more persistent on our dreams or maybe we just need to addapt because otherwise we feel like chasing unicorns.
It's a tough subject to be honest, I don't think I have an answer yet.
@Aputik finding the right career path where you feel fulfilled while also having stability can present many challenges. I think simply discussing your thoughts and feelings can help bring more clarity. What aspects of stability or fulfillment feel most important for you to have in your work?
A project where everyone shares a common goal and we all have each other's back is a fulfilling project.
A job where with a permanent position it gives stability.
Thank you for your comment @ASilentObserver
@Aputik I hear you and agree with the significance of collaboration and permanence
@ASilentObserver
Well, when I'm not functionally freezing, fawning, fighting or fleeing I'm doing self study, housework and hobbies.
@communicativePond1728 It sounds like you keep yourself busy with various activities. You mentioned self-study as well - is there a particular topic you find interesting to learn more about? I'm glad to hear you have found ways to spend your time that are meaningful to you.
@ASilentObserver
Not really a particular topic. It seems to change. But right now I'm looking at strength. Thanks for your reply!