5 Ways to Find Resilience in Your Career

I’ve had a challenging week at work (and it won’t be my last).  There is a lot that went really well, and there are some important things that didn’t, many of which were out of my control.  At times it made me feel like just going back to bed.  Can you relate?
 
Of course, that’s when you dig deep, remembering why you do what you do and how it makes a meaningful difference in the world (you know, beyond the paycheck...).  Resilience is so important at work; it is the backbone of a successful career.  Yet sometimes there is little energy left to stay positive, or objective.  It’s tempting to just wallow, but as good as that feels in the moment, wallowing can become a habit that doesn’t support your great potential at work.
 
So, what should you do when you know you need to find it in yourself to keep going with a good attitude?  Here are 5 key emotional intelligence strategies you can use to dig deep and bring more resilience to your work and career.

• Connect to your motivations.  You likely try to keep your emotions out of work, but the ones you need to keep in are the ones connected to your values, sense of purpose and professional passion.  No one keeps getting out of bed to do something every day they don’t care about, so when you need a resilience boost, give yourself 10 minutes to reflect on what you care about in your work; make a list and let yourself feel how that fuels your work and career.
• Connect to your career, emotionally.  Most professionals don’t have a direct connection to seeing (or hearing) about how their work makes a difference.  If you don’t know how what you do makes a meaningful difference you will run out of the emotional gas you need to keep doing it.  Trace your work back, how does it contribute to your organization and/or to others?  Your work needs to source you, not just use you up.  That is only possible when you let what you do touch you.  You’re dedicated and amazing at what you do – feel that.
• Connect to your future.  Where is your career taking you?  A career can quickly feel like a life sentence if there isn’t a bigger picture or plan that you’re invested in.  Whether your career aspirations are giving back, climbing up, retiring young or funding a dream lifestyle it helps to know where you’re going and how that fits in with your personal life plan.  
• Connect to other professionals.  Humans are geared for connection – we suffer when we’re isolated and alone.  If you’re finding it hard to overcome setbacks at work you may need to reach out and connect with loved ones, or professional contacts. Choose people who can relate to what you are experiencing and empathize with you.  You are not alone and it’s OK to reach out for moral support – we all need it, so do it.  Connect with warm-hearted people who support you (and whom you would support in return).
• Connect to your physical wellbeing.  As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.  Pay attention to your overall health and mental wellbeing, take time off when you’re ill.  Make time for play, movement, and sleep.  If you don’t take time for your health, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness – choose which best works for your career and bright future.

 
Challenges at work are there for a reason – they grow you, making you stronger and better at what you do.  They are also exasperating and exhausting. So, when you’ve hit a wall at work, remember this is just a chapter in your story – it’s not the whole book.  Give yourself the grace you need to re-group and replenish yourself and, when you're ready, get back out there.
 
You’ve survived 100% of your worst days, you’ve got this one too.

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