“Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good,

I was actually being re-directed to something better”

– Steve Maraboli

Nothing’s more satisfying than reaping the fruits of hard work. Whether it is in business or personal life, it’s fulfilling to have our efforts acknowledged. Sometimes though, the results seem to be disregarded which creates a void and makes us question our capabilities. Somewhere in the phase of our career, there might have been instances of being overlooked for promotion, a reward that appears to be within the reach, but eludes in reality.

While the process is frustrating and at times disheartening too, I suppose it takes a bit of patience and perseverance to overcome such odds. What to do, when situations seem unfair and the toils appear pointless?

Few guidelines to cope up during such low-downs:

• Have an open conversation: Don’t fret or fume, rather collect yourself and refocus. Seek an open feedback with your manager and try to examine the differences in their expectation. Also, use it as an opportunity to apprise them of the skills you acquired, pinning your hopes on this promotion.

• Stay motivated: Uproot any negative turbulence in your head and control the anxiety to share it with your colleagues. It’s pertinent to avoid spreading any negativity at your workplace .Rather, utilise this instance to scrutinize your methods and realign your strategy. Remember, everything happens for a reason and try to see the brighter side of things.

• Bridge the gap, upskill yourself: There is always something more to learn. If you realise that the chance is lost cause of skill gaps, address it without delay. Overcoming your inadequacies without loss of enthusiasm when coupled with upgraded skills will make you an indispensable candidate for that next promotion.

• Lateral movement: After trying everything at your disposal and yet if the promotion is delayed, seek a lateral movement to a different team within the same office. In addition to newer opportunities of learning, a change of environment is a good morale booster.

• Try in a different organisation: Never feel guilty to try in a different company. A whiff of fresh air might be all that you need. If you feel that your talent is undermined and no amount of hard work or self-development will do any good, muster your strength and knowledge; be open to utilize those skills in a new organisation.

The key is to understand that being passed over for promotion is not the end of the world; but it could lead to new and better beginnings, if control measures are taken and adhered to. While persistence is the key, a never-say-die attitude and maintaining a positive spirit during odds will help you to transition the phase with ease. To end with a quote by Vivian Komori -“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce”

You may also want to read other articles written by the  author: ‘Stop limiting yourself‘, ‘Doing what you love – hobbies and passion to opportunity‘, ‘ Maximise your productivity to unleash your potential‘, ‘Be your own boss‘, ‘Broaden your intellectual horizon‘, ‘Career metamorphosis – Expert to beginner’, “Importance of networking for success in your career“, ‘Busy Day vs Productive Day‘, ‘Money matters for womens financial independence‘, ‘A new dawn in the horizon – career restart’.

About the author:

Nithya Jagadish – I am a commerce graduate with an overall experience of 10 years in the Corporate Industry and handled diversified assignments at HSBC and Hewlett Packard. After gaining considerable knowledge and success during my tenure, I decided to focus my attention on other areas of interest. Now, a doting mother of a one year old, I spend my day reading, apprising on my topics of interest and baby-sitting.

An avid reader and poetry enthusiast, my love for writing started while at school and my dreams have borne fruits after motherhood. I strongly believe in living life to the fullest and making the most of each beautiful day.

(The author is a guest blogger at Her Second Innings. The opinions expressed are those of the author.)

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