Here's how you can turn a career setback into a valuable learning opportunity.

Early in my working life, I found myself getting fired for reasons like, "overenthusiasm," (no, really) and taking the initiative to set up a nationwide conference call to brainstorm with others who held the same position as me to collaborate. Note: this was back in the days before Free Conference Call and Skype. I requested an exit interview with my boss' boss after the 3rd time this happened, and he gave me advice that changed my life forever. "You need to be in charge," he said. "You'll never thrive in a larger bureaucracy, you're too entrepreneurial. Find what you love and start your own thing." He was right. I had to face the reality that my strengths were liabilities in the wrong environment. I changed environments, and I thrived.

I had a baby during COVID, and due to the pandemic, it took a while for the daycare to get back and fully running. So, my little one stayed with me for the entire year. During that time, I worked on and off, soaking up the precious moments with him. But as time went on, I started to feel disconnected from the work I love. It felt like I could see a lighthouse in the distance, but I had no control over the boat drifting away. That realization hit me hard—I needed to make a change. Accepting this reality helped me see the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be, and it motivated me to take steps to get my career back on track.

Think back on the lowest points in your life and now think about what you learned, what you gained and who you are now because of it. Most of the times when I was at my lowest, something amazing was created after. Because I was able to re-assess, rework and recreate who I wanted to be going forward. The biggest challenge is to not dwell on what you did wrong, but what was unaligned with that path. Talk to friends, a counsellor or a coach. Now is the time to do some much needed deep work that you might have been missing which got you into this situation. Self-compassion will go a long way

A career setback can become a valuable tool for personal development. By reframing your perspective, you can transform it from a perceived negative experience into a learning opportunity. It's not just about understanding what doesn't work; it's also about discovering what does. Self-reflection is key to this shift. Take the time to consider the lessons learned from the setback, including any corrective actions you'll take moving forward. Embrace setbacks, delays, or obstacles as opportunities to refine your plan and strengthen your determination. Remember, overcoming a setback can be a powerful step toward developing your wisdom, skills, and personal resolve.

When we experience career setbacks, it's an opportunity for us to identify underlying issues that may have never been known without the setback. Of course we are usually focused on what we've lost and questioning ourselves in multiple ways. Embrace this process and then pay attention to the process .. The way we go in isn't the way we come out. Pay attention to how you go in, while you're in, and how you come out. You will often find the answers to your next!

Self-awareness is critical to overcoming a career setback. The main reason you encounter a setback is that you made a mistake. This misstep could be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. The sooner you acknowledge your fault, the sooner you will find ways to overcome it.

Undoubtedly, seeking feedback from colleagues or trusted mentors after a career setback is an essential and valuable action. Their diverse perspectives can highlight aspects of the situation we might have overlooked. These insights, often filled with kindness and experience, are powerful tools for continuous improvement. They help identify necessary adjustments and strengthen our skills. It is crucial to view this feedback not as criticism but as opportunities for growth. They are true assets for constructive self-reflection and career progression. In essence, feedback is a fundamental pillar of professional evolution and personal excellence.

Setting new achievable goals, after gaining clarity and receiving constructive feedback, is crucial for moving forward. Using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), you create a clear roadmap for recovering from setbacks and steering your career towards a promising future. This approach allows you to turn the lessons learned into actionable plans, propelling you towards future successes. Adopting this structured methodology is an effective way to give new momentum to your professional journey and continue progressing.

Career success is about becoming a lifelong learner. We often encounter a setback because we lack certain knowledge, skills, or ability at the moment. However, the more you learn and grow, the more you are ready for any opportunity and decrease your chance of experiencing a setback.

A successful career is a growth career. As long as you are learning and growing to overcome your setbacks and keep moving forward, new opportunities will always be available to you.