How to Turn Career Obstacles Into Growth Opportunities

I've recently suffered a major career setback. Since I teach about high performance and career growth, I want to share how I am addressing it. One day you will need this recipe yourself! My goal in my current "career" is to reach as many people as I can, and to help them achieve career success and satisfaction. For the last three years, the way to do this has been through LinkedIn. Unfortunately, LinkedIn recently made some unknown changes to their algorithm. Other Top Voices and I have noticed a drop of 70% to 80% in the reach of our posts. Since my goal is to share my knowledge with more people, that means my goal just took an 80% hit. In general, setbacks in performance are either due to: A) Something we did Or B) Something external, outside our direct control Mistakes, poor decisions, and missed deadlines are examples of A. They are in our control. Things like Covid, high interest rates, and reorganizations at work are examples of B, outside our control. LinkedIn's change is also case B, outside my control. When a setback comes from something in your control, you know clearly what you did wrong and what you need to change to restore your performance and progress. Fixing your own issues may take time and be difficult, but you know what to do. When the setback is due to something outside your control, you do not know how to fix the issue. So, how can we react when our performance is shattered and we do not know why? Here is my recipe: 1. Allow yourself a fixed amount of time to grieve (and complain if you wish). Emotions are real, and before you can move on you will need to sit with those emotions. But, do not get stuck in them. Curse your bad luck, pout for a minute, etc. Then, move to the next step. 2. Refocus on your core value. Whatever happened, go back to how you define high performance to ensure it is still relevant. I admit, I slipped into defining my own performance by how many people viewed my LinkedIn posts. This was a mistake. My mission is to help others, so getting views is a proxy, not a result. And, using LinkedIn is just a method for the mission, not the mission itself. 3. Adapt your core value if you must (if its value has decreased). In my case, the value of what I offer hasn't changed, the external delivery system has. 4. Once you adapt and/or increase your value, find new ways to deliver it if necessary. Luckily, I have other options for reaching people: my Substack newsletter, YouTube, etc. Since Substack has been such a good partner recently, I will start there. I have also refocused how I write on LinkedIn to make every post focused on my goal. 5. Test, measure, adapt, repeat! Really, this step is everything. Once you get past the grief, jump into action in this loop. Nothing can stop you if you keep working to refine, deliver, and showcase your core value. Comments? Here's my newsletter, which is my next area of investment: https://lnkd.in/gXh2pdK2

Have you ever felt overlooked for a promotion you deserved? This story might change your perspective. Maria, a top performer at a tech company, was shocked when Tom, a less experienced colleague, got the promotion she'd been eyeing. Initially devastated, Maria chose to view this setback as an opportunity for growth. She sought feedback, identifying areas for improvement like organizational visibility and strategic thinking. Maria observed Tom's strengths in relationship-building and presentation skills, incorporating these into her development plan. Over the next year, Maria focused on enhancing her skills, volunteering for cross-functional projects, and even supporting Tom in his new role. This approach made her a stronger candidate and increased her job satisfaction. Eighteen months later, when another leadership position opened, Maria was the unanimous choice. She realized that her initial disappointment had catalyzed her most significant professional growth. Have you faced a similar situation? How did you handle it? Share your experience below!  #CareerResilience #LeadershipGrowth #OvercomingSetbacks #ProfessionalDevelopment

"Sorry, we've decided to go with another candidate." The rejection email hit my inbox like a ton of bricks. My heart sank, and for a moment, I felt lost. But here's a twist: What if it's not rejection, but a redirection? I remember a time when I was sure a role was my perfect fit. The job description seemed tailored to my skills, and the interviews went smoothly. I was so close, yet it slipped away. Instead of dwelling, I reframed it. This mental shift was crucial for my professional growth. I sent a thank-you note, expressing my admiration for their work. I highlighted specific aspects of the company that impressed me during the interview process. This simple act kept the door open for future opportunities. It's a small world, and maintaining positive relationships is invaluable. Then, I treated myself to a day of joy. Self-care is essential when navigating career challenges. A favorite book, a long walk, and a coffee with a friend. These simple pleasures helped me regain perspective. It was refreshing. I felt my energy and motivation returning. And guess what? A few months later, a better opportunity came along. One that aligned even more closely with my long-term career goals. Looking back, I realize that initial rejection was a blessing in disguise. It pushed me to refine my skills, expand my network, and clarify my professional aspirations. So, next time you face a rejection, remember: It's not the end. It's a step towards something greater. Here are some strategies I've found helpful for bouncing back from setbacks: 1. Practice gratitude: List three things you're thankful for in your career journey. 2. Seek feedback: Ask for constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement. 3. Upskill: Use the time to learn a new skill relevant to your field. 4. Expand your network: Attend industry events or reach out to professionals you admire. 5. Revisit your goals: Ensure your career path aligns with your values and aspirations. Remember, resilience is a skill. With each challenge, you're building your capacity to adapt and thrive in your professional life. How do you bounce back from setbacks? Share your strategies in the comments below. Let's learn from each other and grow together! 💪 #CareerGrowth #Resilience #JobSearch #ProfessionalDevelopment #OpportunityInDisguise #PositiveAttitude #CareerAdvice

Your most significant setbacks can be your best brand story. How to turn challenges into a compelling personal brand in 4-stages. While many prefer tales of success, I love stories of setbacks turned into strength. Here's why: Setbacks are relatable. I don't know anyone who never had them. Here's mine. My career at National Geographic didn’t start ‘til I was 50. There were few women Explorers. I was the only widow. Grieving and adrift, I decided to turn my challenges into strengths. This shift in mindset paved the way to my personal brand. Here’s the 4-stage process I used: Stage 1: This stage is about courage and honesty. Identify your challenge. Acknowledge the difficulty. Resist the urge to avoid or downplay it. Stage 2: This stage is about changing your perspective. Ask yourself: "What can this challenge teach me?" Discover how it can be preparing you for future success. Consider how overcoming it can help others. Stage 3: This stage is about taking control and being proactive. Break down the challenge into smaller, manageable tasks. Set clear goals for overcoming each part of the challenge. Identify resources and support systems you can leverage. Stage 4: Putting your plan into action is where challenges become strengths. Take consistent action. Track your progress and celebrate small wins. Reflect on how much you’ve grown. Your most significant setbacks truly can become your best brand story. Embrace them. Learn from them. Share them. For more insights, follow Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey