Whatever It Takes?
Life doesn’t always go to plan. This week I’ve received a career knock back every single day. Every – single – day. I celebrate a lot of my successes on this blog, but it’s just as important to share my behind-the-scene disappointments – that way you get to experience my journey with me! It isn’t always woo hoo and hurray! Social media is about sharing experiences after all. So, let me ask you this: how do you handle career knock backs?
Usually for me it’s a 5-stage process. It takes that long for things to settle after the storm of disappointment that’s swept through.
Stage 1
Stage 1 involves sadness. It fills my chest and drags down the corners of my mouth making it hard to smile. I consider giving up. I wonder, how much more can I take? I’m disappointed not only with whatever hasn’t gone my way, but all my previous disappointments cave in on me. Am I wasting my time? I want both to be alone, and not to be left with the grey loneliness of feeling miserable.
Stage 2
Stage 2 kicks in the minute my brain starts problem-solving. It’ll throw an idea at me, and that’s when I know I’m starting to move on, to adapt. Okay, I tell myself, so if this is the way things are going to be, what can I do next? What if I try this or that? I bounce around ideas. I accept the new way things are going to be and find a work around. Can I figure out why things didn’t go the way I wanted and try again? I analyse. More ideas come. This makes me feel better and moves me into stage 3.
Stage 3
Stage 3 involves connecting with others. I seek for reassurance that I’m not the only one having these same experiences. I often find that connection through talking with writer-friends who can identify, or through listening to music. I seek out songs that speak of fighting onwards, not giving up, facing unlikely odds and pushing on anyway. I look especially for songs about other artists pursuing their passions, aiming high and shooting for the stars. Today I listened to so many awesome songs I started a YouTube playlist for future use, and to share with you of course. I’m sorry, I like pop, so the playlist reflects this! Here are two examples:
The rest of my playlist is here:
Stage 4
Through listening to others’ similar journeys, I then move into stage 4, which involves gratitude. I take ownership of my journey and appreciate where I am, and what I’ve achieved to this point. I’m lucky to at least be I am who I am, where and when. Things could be so much worse.
Stage 5
Finally, with some ideas in mind, connections made, and my perspective adjusted, I reach the last stage – choice. I can choose to give up on the progress I’m trying to achieve, or I can choose to keep going. Most of the time, I choose to keep going, but not always. Ending a pursuit can be just as rewarding as continuing, as it can free you up to consider new opportunities. What else is out there waiting for me? Or if I just keep pushing a little further, will I achieve my goal? Either way, I tell myself that I’ll find my way eventually, and get busy searching for the how and when. I’ll get there, whatever it takes. It’s in my nature to persevere.
What about you, how do you handle knock backs? More importantly, have you got any tracks to add to my playlist?!!
