6 Tips to Safeguard Your Career Through Major Upheaval

When the storm clouds gather over your workplace, your instinct kicks in: safeguard your career at all costs. Because let’s face it, without your job, life can quickly spiral into chaos, with bills piling up like unwanted houseguests.

But what happens when the ground beneath your professional feet starts to quake? Maybe your company hits financial rock bottom, or the economy does a nosedive. Perhaps a natural disaster or global pandemic throws your work life into disarray. Whatever the upheaval, you need a plan.

Here are six savvy strategies to navigate the turbulence:

1. Ignite the Energy

Bring the sunshine to the storm. Instead of sinking into the gloom, radiate positivity. Be that beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Your optimism can light the way forward, inspiring others to see beyond the clouds.

2. Extend a Helping Hand

Roll up your sleeves and dive in. When chaos reigns, initiative is king. Offer your assistance wherever you spot an opportunity. Your willingness to pitch in won’t go unnoticed—it’s the currency of resilience.

3. Unleash Creativity

When the usual playbook falls short, rewrite the rules. Think outside the cubicle. Upheaval demands fresh ideas, unconventional solutions. Embrace the challenge to innovate and adapt. Your creativity might just be the game-changer.

4. Embrace Adaptability

Upheaval calls for the ability to let go of the old ways and adapt to the new never normal. You can’t be floundering right now. This is the time to rise to the challenges being presented in this new world. Adaptability is your superpower.

5. Practice Empathy

Amidst the chaos, hearts are heavy, spirits weary. Extend a hand, lend an ear. Show compassion to your colleagues navigating the same storm. Your empathy can be the lifeline someone desperately needs.

6. Persevere

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Hang on, hang in. Perseverance is your anchor in the tempest. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and don’t let go of your resolve. Your unwavering dedication will weather any storm.

In the midst of upheaval, remember: your career isn’t a ship adrift—it’s a vessel built to conquer the waves. With resilience and resourcefulness, you can navigate through any storm. So, when chaos comes knocking, don’t panic. Stay smart, stay savvy, and sail on.

Take the First Step to Safeguard Your Career

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In the past, success was synonymous with IQ. Then, EQ took the spotlight for decades. But with the ground constantly shifting beneath our feet, AQ (Adaptability Quotient) has emerged as the ultimate game-changer—the key to future employability.

In under 30 minutes (online), I’ll help you unlock your personalized Adaptability Quotient results along with access to a personal development workbook. Are you prepared to unleash your inner powerhouse and thrive amidst the storm?

Don’t merely endure the chaos—emerge from it stronger and more resilient than ever before!

Curious how it works? Let’s Talk.

First things first: what does grit even mean? You’ve probably heard the advice “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” attributed to coach Kunte Rockne. That quote captures the essence of grit.  The character trait of grit often refers to passion, the consistency of interest, and perseverance, the ability to endure tough times.

For instance, we’ve all experienced setbacks. They could range from struggling to learn a new skill, recovering from an injury, losing a job, or even bankruptcy.

What Does Grit Look Like?

People with high levels of Grit are confident in achieving long-term goals. They are often described as ‘determined’ and ‘hard workers’. No-pain-no-gain might be the grit motto. Gritty people tend to keep going until the work is done. They take pride in finishing what they start. Their mental focus and emotional stamina are very high. They don’t let short-term gains, negative feedback, or hectic schedules deter them. People with high grit are not discouraged easily; they see setbacks and obstacles as challenges that can be overcome with commitment and hard work. Grit, however, is not always a good thing. Gritty people are often so focused on their goals that they get blinded-sided by outside influences and have blind spots when it comes to alternative ideas. 

People with low levels of grit give up quickly. Setbacks and obstacles easily discourage them. When change happens they can find it difficult to stay on course with long-term goals. They flee at the first sign of trouble and often blame others. They start a lot of projects but get discouraged easily. 

How Grit Can Help Your Business

Why is grit something you need to look for when hiring and developing employees? The future of work is full of opportunity but the journey will be anything but certain. Perseverance and passion will be needed in abundance. These are some scenarios where employees with grit become a beneficial trait for your company.

They Understand That Good Things Take Time

Millennials have often been criticized for their need for instant gratification. While it might be true for some of them, grit had to be part of this generation’s makeup. Now in their 30s and 40s, they have endured school shootings, 9/11 terrorism, and the Great Recession…and they are now growing and thriving. It’s only human to get frustrated when we don’t see the instant rewards from our work. Contributing to a project day in and day out, and not getting recognition or confronting bureaucratic idiocy, is disheartening. Many employees may be tempted to just quit.

If your employee has grit, however, they know good things take time. Setbacks are not failures, but part of the journey.  When personal interests align with goals, it’s easier to persevere and feel that your efforts will be rewarded. People with grit stay and push through.