Corporate life is full of uncertainties. A smooth job sometimes gets an unpleasant jolt and things change overnight. Supervisors change, profiles change, units change, and teams change whereby creating a massive impact on an individual’s professional life. None of these decisions entrusted upon us are in our sphere of influence. The decisions are above our pay grade and all we can do is to accept them and assimilate the consequences.
In my career spanning more than a decade, this is what I have learned. Things happen, there are no options but to accept the hand that one has been dealt with. The immediate reaction usually is anger and confusion which slowly gives way to the feeling of helplessness.
The human mind unfortunately is wired to think only the worst, we are by default pessimists. The scenarios that start playing in the mind are always on the lowest of the low. OMG, the supervisor with whom I had spent many years building a rapport has gone— the new guy may or may not like me, and the appraisal season is around the corner… will I get penalized for organisational changes, what if my role is reduced… what if suddenly the measurement KPI’s change, what would happen to my ratings, will I still get the promotion due to me….. all thoughts, all fears, all career impacting variables …. But no answers, hence the feeling of depression and dejection.
This happens to all of us and this my friends is a recurring phenomenon…it keeps hitting all of us once every few years… its acceptance is always tough and assimilation takes its own time.
After working in the dynamic sales and marketing space, I have realized one thing. These external stimuli are bound to happen, things will change, there will be professional upheavals, there will be uncertainties, and there will be issues, fights, and concerns…. We cannot escape them. “Change” is a given whether good or bad is debatable.
Going by the age-old dictum, what cannot be cured needs to be endured. That is the only key to survival. We can feel dejected, we may temporarily lose our will to work, our motivation can take a back seat and for some time- we may become bitter and irritable. But then what… can one immediately get a new job? Can one get a guarantee that the new job may not have these sudden changes? Maybe these changes at present seem mammoth but are you the only one affected by them… or has the entire department been affected or the organisation at large have been affected?
So, in such situations, before reacting and receding in our shells, it is important to first understand the extent of the change that has hit you. Think of all that can go wrong because of the changed circumstances and once you have that list in your subconscious, focus on thinking about what all can go right because of the same changed circumstance.
It is always easier to tackle a known devil rather than fight an imaginary monster in a pitch-dark cave full of potholes. Change is discerning and change is scary but it is not always for the worst.
This change may open avenues that you did not know existed, it may give you access to people and team members who may help you broaden your horizons and force you to think differently.
Do not get dejected and do not get depressed. Do not also fear “change.” It is bound to happen. External stimuli are beyond our pay grade. What we can do is assimilate the situation and adapt ourselves to get the best out of this change.
Give it your best shot. Keep your options open… overcome your insecurities and who knows maybe this is the stimuli that was required to propel your career and give you the much-needed boost.
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Very well said