June 19, 2008
Debbie Brown spoke to the Solo Practitioner’s
Section of the Atlanta Bar Association "For the Solo Practitioner:
How to Reduce Stress and Increase Job Satisfaction"
Recently
we began the war with Iraq and have seen a resulting downturn
in an already ailing economy, including an increase in unemployment
rolls. News reports tell us that it could be a while before we
see an economic recovery, and when it comes, it may be slow. This
follows a recession that has lasted for more than two years, an
extended bear market, an increase in our national debt, terrorist
attacks, continued mass layoffs and the lowest levels of consumer
confidence we have seen in decades.
Sounds
ominous, doesn't it? It doesn't have to be.
According
to the American Psychological Association (APA), resilience is
the ability to adapt to and grow from adversity, trauma, and other
sources of stress, including workplace and financial pressures.
It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences.
Many of us have shown resilience in our lives; be it recovering
from the death of a family member or a close friend, moving on
after a divorce or break-up with a significant other, or perhaps
overcoming a serious medical illness or injury. Think about the
skills we employ to overcome such adversity. These same skills
can help us develop career resilience as well.
Potential
Setbacks
Here
are some examples of potential setbacks:You
did not get an expected promotion and there is no where for you
to go in your current company.
You
worked in a technology (or another) field, you lost your job,
and you have not been able to find another one, even though you
have been looking diligently for the past 6-12 months.
You
are a small business owner and you have seen a decline in business
and income since 9/11.
You
are in a well- paying career, but realize that you do not like
your job/career and you want to do something else.
You
want to move to the next level in your career, but you realize
that you do not have the experiences or skills that would get
you that promotion.
The
Top 10 Attributes of Resilient People
Susan
Dunn, MA, (Copyright 200-2003 Coachville) lists The Top 10 Attributes
of Resilient People.
People
who are the most resilient:
1.
Can self-reflect and gain wisdom from their experiences. They
know who they are without embellishment or fantasy. 2. Face reality head-on, labeling their setbacks, losses
and disappointments for what they are. 3. Know their feelings, label them correctly, and express
them routinely to others. 4. Know their time zone: past present and future. 5. Commit to the agony of grieving when necessary for as
long as it takes. 6. Find meaning and purpose in their struggles. 7. Have High EQ.
Think creatively and flexibly under stress. Expand rather than
shut down
when faced with a challenge. 8. Keep reserves of energy built up through regular periods
of rest and renewal. 9. Have people around them whom they can depend, and who
know and love them as they are. 10. Know when they need help and get it.
Recovering
From a Career Setback
"There
are no problems, only solutions"
John Lennon 1980
What
do you do if you experience a perceived setback in your career?
First,
remember that what happens in the world is not a reflection of
you and what you have to offer. Broaden your view of success.
It might take you a little longer to get where you want to go,
but don't lose sight of the end result.
If
you did not get that expected promotion, look at other companies
who might be interested in someone with your skills and goals.
Many times in order to move ahead, you have to make a lateral
move to another company where you have the opportunity to develop
new skills and gain a broader perspective.
If
you are still looking for a job after being layed off 6-12 months
ago, undergo a thorough self-assessment. Perhaps your job search
strategies are not working. Maybe instead of looking for someone
to hire you, you can become more entrepreneurial and develop a
plan to market your services, rather than looking for someone
to pay you a salary and benefits. Being an independent contractor
can provide you with some income to help you make it through the
tough times. And you will find that you develop some valuable
skills and will gain the confidence that comes with developing
resourcefulness. Or perhaps this is a time to get some training
and launch a new career. Often times, layoffs offer an opportunity
to examine your former career and see if it still fits, or if
you have skills and abilities you would like to use in a new career.
If you do not see a recovery for your industry in the foreseeable
future, you also may want to consider being trained for a new
career. This can actually be exciting and energizing, despite
some of the stresses involved in the process.
If
you are a small business owner with diminishing income, perhaps
you need to look at developing other revenue streams. Is there
a related business you can start? Perhaps you can even market
these services to your current clients. Also, cutting costs is
crucial. Let go of all expenses that do not help you to generate
revenue. Evaluate your marketing costs to see which ones offer
a good return on investment. Focus your time and money on further
developing your business and let go of those activities that do
not help you to achieve your business goals.
If
you are on the fast track in a well-paying career, but you find
that you are not happy, this is the perfect time to evaluate other
options. Sometimes people remark to me that, given the economy,
perhaps they should just be grateful for the job they have. It
is true that we should be grateful for the opportunity to support
ourselves and our families. But while you have a job is the perfect
time to do a self-assessment and determine what kind of a career
you would really enjoy. You will then have the time to work towards
developing a new career without the pressure to take anything
to have money coming in.
If
you want to further your career, but you do not have the skills
and experiences to get that promotion, there are specific things
you can do both inside and outside of your organization. Talk
to your supervisor about your goals. Perhaps you can get permission
to work with other departments to broaden you experiences. Appointment
to committees can provide greater visibility within the company.
Outside of work, volunteer projects can add to your resume if
you take on leadership roles in well-respected organizations.
According
to the APA, besides having caring and supportive relationships,
additional factors are related to resilience. These include:
The
capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them
out
A
positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and
abilities
Skills in communication and problem solving
The
capacity to manage strong feeling and impulses
How
to Develop Career Resilience
How
do you develop career resilience?
The
APA suggests 10 ways to develop resilience:
1.
Make connections
Close relationships with friends, relatives, civic groups and
faith-based organizations can contribute to feelings of wellbeing.
2.
Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems
Try to look beyond the problem, focus on the future and gain strength
from new opportunities that may present themselves.
3.
Accept that change is a part of living Certain career goals may
no longer be attainable. It is better to accept those circumstances
and put your energy into developing new career goals.
4.
Move toward your goals
Develop a plan and take steps to work towards it every day.
5.
Take decisive action
Taking action will move you toward your goals and lift your spirits.
6.
Look for opportunities for self-discovery
Many people who experience work setbacks report that they grow
during these challenging times and become stronger and more resourceful.
7.
Nurture a positive view of yourself.
This process of developing resilience also helps to build self-confidence.
8.
Keep things in perspective. Keep
a long-term perspective and try to avoid blowing the event out
of
proportion.
9.
Maintain a hopeful outlook. Focus
your thoughts on the vision you want for your life and try to
avoid nurturing your fears.
10.Take
care of yourself
Practice "extreme self-care." Exercise, eat healthy
food, keep a journal, spend time with friends and family. Even
if you may not be working, you should regularly plan and enjoy
fun activities.
"Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time….
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears
are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less
than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And
whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding
as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to
be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion
of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery
and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy."
