How to Make a Successful Career Comeback without Being Hateful

During the Easter holiday, I watched a church service online from a wonderful pastor in the Midwest, whose sermon focused on making a successful comeback in your life, when you face difficult circumstances. He emphasized that there are unfortunately moments in your life, where you may have been fired or dismissed from a job, and that others may believe that you will never be able to accept what has happened to you and move forward. One key point that the pastor emphasized is that you can make a successful comeback without being hateful to others. Specifically, that even a little bit of success is the best revenge.

How can you make a successful comeback without hate? Here are some of my thoughts:

   (1) Supportive Friends and Family! A supportive network is absolutely essential to make a successful comeback personally or professionally. Everyone needs a supportive space (No Judgement Zone), where you are able to express your emotions and feelings without being judged as you move through your difficult experience. My personal BOD (Board of Directors) and family gave me the space I needed and I am so thankful to them.

(2) Keep Your Emotions in Check! Yes, it is understandable to be hurt, angry and disappointed over a difficult career setback or experience. However, getting your emotions under control is the key to not being hateful to others about your experience. Seriously, think BEFORE you speak because you cannot take back what you say. You cannot change the past, but you can focus on things that you can control.

(3) Reflect and Learn from the Experience! You can learn something from any situation, good or bad. Understanding and appreciating those lessons are important for you to move forward in your career.

(4) Get a Plan Together! You have to sit down and develop a solid plan for your next career move. We often hear that we should focus on your passions, which is important. But, try to go a little deeper with this. What keeps you up at night? What kind of impact do you really want to make in your community? 

(5) Finding the Next Role. Don’t wait until you are dismissed from a role or position to update your resume. As you achieve important milestones such as delivering workshops or mentoring youth in your community, make sure that you add these achievements to your resume to keep it up to date. Remember, when you are interviewing for the next role in your career, don’t shy away from the career setback. Instead, focus on the positive accomplishments you achieved in your previous role. 

Lastly, I guarantee that achieving a little bit of success in your next role, will make you happy and there will be absolutely no need to look back other than to celebrate that you made it on the other side of your storm. Stay safe and healthy!