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Squiggly Careers

#463 Career Setbacks: how to stay resilient which things go wrong

Mar 5, 2025
Amy Schoenthal, author of "The Setback Cycle," and Ken Okoroafor share their insights on resilience in the face of career challenges. They discuss a four-phase setback model, emphasizing the need to reflect and embrace experiences. Amy provides strategies to combat self-doubt, while Ken recounts personal setbacks and the importance of community support. Together, they highlight how empathy and openness can navigate tough times, reassuring listeners that obstacles are a common part of professional growth.
32:56

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Quick takeaways

  • Recognizing that career setbacks often arise from external organizational decisions helps individuals navigate their feelings of personal failure.
  • Following the four phases of the setback cycle—Establish, Embrace, Explore, and Emerge—provides a structured approach to regaining resilience after challenges.

Deep dives

Understanding Setbacks in Careers

Setbacks in careers often stem from a lack of control and choice, leading individuals to feel disempowered and lost. When unforeseen events such as redundancies or restructures occur, it can evoke feelings of personal failure even when the circumstances are external. Recognizing that these setbacks are typically organizational decisions rather than reflections of personal skill is crucial. Accepting the difficulty of these moments, while understanding their nature, aids in navigating through the emotional challenges associated with them.

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