How to deal with disappointment at Work

We spend a lot of time in our lives at work. Recently, I have been reflecting on some of the experiences that I have had at work that had very different outcomes than I expected. I am making peace with the fact that setbacks are a part of every successful career.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to deal with disappointment at work.
 
Starting point: What type of professional setbacks have I faced?
Some of the experiences that have stuck in my memory include:

• Being passed up for a promotion
• Not getting the project that I really wanted to work on
• Being unable to negotiate my salary or a pay raise

 
Five ways to deal with disappointment at work
 
Don’t be too hard on yourself
It is important to not let all the weight of a setback rest on your shoulders. Going through a difficult time at work can often make your life feel less balanced and make you unhappy. Being aware of the impact of disappointment at work on your happiness is essential. Putting it all in perspective will help you move on.
 
Questions to consider

• Would you care about these experiences one month or one year from now?
• How can you take care of yourself in these difficult times?

 
Be better prepared
After major setbacks in my career, I wondered if there was a way for me to be more prepared to overcome the deep sadness I felt. And I have found that the answer is yes, you can prepare for the impact of disappointment on your life and work. Taking the time to plan for the negative events helped me bounce back.
 
Questions to consider

• What steps can you take after a career setback?
• Who will support you on your journey to get over your disappointment?

 
Identify the learnings
One of the things I am learning about all negative experiences in life is that there is always a lesson to be learned. When you experience setbacks at work, make time to think about what the lessons may be. It might not be easy to see the lessons. However, they exist and would help you a lot on your future journey.
 
Questions to consider

• What can you learn from this experience?
• Is there a common theme with the disappointments you have faced at work recently?

 
Find something positive that motivates you
Having a positive outlook on your career is a great gift. Especially when something does not go the way you planned, having something that excites you can help you stay happy. A great mindset to have is to view your future journey with optimism.
 
Questions to consider

• What is the one thing you enjoy about your job?
• What are some recent accomplishments that you have had?

 
Know when it is time to find a new job or role
Depending on the type of situation you may be going through at work, it may be time to move on to the next career adventure. It is crucial to know when that time comes and to take action.
 
Questions to consider

• What are you looking for in your next job or role?
• How will you utilize the learnings from your past experiences in your next job or role?

 
Final Thoughts

• Disappointment at work can be expected, how you deal with it will determine how successful you will be.
• Going through any negative experience with an active support group will make it easier.
• Building resilience for setbacks in your career is a strategy you can learn.

 
Call to Action

• What is one of the biggest setbacks you have faced in your career?
• What strategy helped you get over that disappointment?

 
Great Resources

• 5 Ways to Bounce Back from Disappointment at Work
• How to Deal With Professional Disappointment at Work
• Overcoming Career Disappointment
• How to get over career disappointment
• 5 Major Work Disappointments and How to Handle Them