 | |
|
A leap year happens every 4 years and in some cultures leap years were associated with bad luck.
Since 2024 is a leap year, I wanted February's blog post to discuss the bad luck that we often encounter throughout our career journey, which can play a pivotal role in our mental well-being.
Often, success is seen as easily achieved without considering the obstacles that may have shaped our success. If you are currently experiencing a "bad luck" period in your career, defined by an unexpected obstacle impeding your ability to continue moving ahead, rest assured that there is a silver lining at the end. Instead of approaching your struggles with toxic positivity, I'm aiming to view them in a more balanced and realistic manner.
What are some of those obstacles that can help shape your career for the best?
1. Unexpected job loss: It can be disheartening to learn that you were laid off, whether because of budget cuts or an organizational restructuring. Nonetheless, an unexpected job loss is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on what you truly want to do for a living. They say that in our lifetime, people have more than one career. An unexpected job loss can afford you the time to soul-search and be more intentional about what you want your next role to be.
2. Sudden medical emergency: Life is unpredictable, and facing a sudden medical condition that forces you to take a leave of absence can be daunting. However, it allows for more perspective in knowing that your identity isn’t your career, and setting the proper boundaries to manage workload stress is an important factor in wellness. Prioritizing ourselves isn’t selfish; it’s selfless and helps us to emerge in our roles being fully present.
3. Chronic toxic work environments: Embarking on a job search can be very exciting and also very anxiety-producing because an interview doesn’t always give a clear picture of how the work culture is going to be. If you find yourself transitioning from one job to the next at different organizations and the work culture is always toxic, it’s a sign to evaluate the kinds of places that you are applying to and make a list of the values you are looking for in your next role versus the other way around.
If you have found that you have experienced a period of bad luck in your career, it doesn’t have to define your overall success.
Success isn't solely defined by achieving wealth; it is about finding a meaningful role within an organization that reflects your core values and supports your mental well-being, ultimately leading to fulfillment and contentment.
Best of luck!