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By Caroline Castrillion – Forbes

A career setback can be tough. We’ve all been there. Your boss unexpectedly calls you into his office and proceeds to tell you that the business has been sold or you’re being replaced in a company restructuring. Whether you’ve been fired, laid off, or passed over for a promotion, it can seem like a tragic blow at first. You immediately feel a loss of identity and purpose. Feelings like shock, denial, fear, sadness, anger, self-doubt, and confusion start to set in. According to Chuck Crumpton, author of The Jagged Journey A Raw & Real Memoir about the Non-Perfect Path of Life & Business, “Everyone has peaks and valleys. From that personal pain, however, can come an amazing growth experience that allows you to overcome difficult challenges, embrace vulnerability and transparency, and feel the joy of becoming a better you.” Crumpton suggests these three ways to recover from a career setback:

 

1.      Don’t let losing your job or business define you

“Don’t take it too personally,” Crumpton says. “What you do, or did, is not who you are. People who consider losing their job or company as a sign of inadequacy are less likely to forge ahead quickly and with conviction than those who viewed their loss as a chance to grow in self-awareness and build resilience. Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments to rebuild your confidence. Potential employers will be attracted to people who have shown they can stay positive and confident despite a career setback.”

2.      Develop positive daily rituals

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, especially when tough times happen. But what you do every day can bring change over time. “Instead of worrying, take action,” Crumpton says. “In place of doubt, have faith. Focus on the future; get small but important things done each day that advance your cause for a new job or new business plan. A small part of your life is decided by uncontrollable circumstances or mistakes you made, but the majority of your life is decided by your responses to those circumstances or mistakes.”

3.      Plug into your network

The best-fitting jobs sometimes aren’t advertised. Finding those jobs that are often filled by word of mouth require tapping into your list of contacts. “Reach out to people you know and who know your capabilities well,” Crumpton says. “Enlist their support in making connections that could help you. They may know of openings that you wouldn’t find on a job board. The old adage, ‘It’s who you know,’ can be the key to opening the next door.”

Even a dramatic career derailment can become a springboard to success if you respond in the right way. Research shows that escapism is a common reaction to a career setback. For example, people may take a vacation, drink excessively, overeat, or avoid discussing their feelings with family and friends. These behaviors rarely lead to a productive transition. Instead of getting stuck in feelings of grief or shame, take a different approach. Examine how you may have contributed to the event, evaluate whether you assessed the situation correctly and reacted appropriately, and consider what you would do differently in the future. It’s also a good idea to collect raw, honest feedback from your network, including superiors, peers, and subordinates. Try to reframe your career setback into an opportunity. That could mean considering another role in your organization, moving to a new company, or shifting to a different career or industry. ”When one door closes, another door opens, although the hallway in between can be very long and filled with obstacles,” Crumpton says. “It takes patience and perseverance, but what you can learn along the way definitely leads to a better place.”

 

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