Managing wellbeing during career transitions

What can people do to take care of themselves during career transitions like those being experienced during this economic downturn?

Here are some suggestions:

Tap your support network.

Spending a lot of time with people who are upset by either the uncertainty of their circumstances or a reduction in or removal of work may give opportunities to offer help and sympathy, but may over time have a negative effect. Emotions are contagious, so spending time with people who are constantly whinging, complaining, feeling sorry for themselves, bemoaning the changed circumstances, may detract from your ability to remain resilient and persistent.

Find people you trust to ‘vent’ with. Tap a circle of friends and family who will support you and listen to you. Tap resources such as employee assistance programs to locate people who can help you.

Take time out to restore balance.

Identify what helps you stay calm and focussed. It may be taking a walk, a gym workout, reading a book., listening to music. Whatever it is, make time for yourself.

Be mindful of that inner critic.

If you hear that voice saying negative things about your job prospects, challenge this voice. ‘Who says so? That’s not true – my current and past jobs show that I am employable.’ Replace the critic with thoughts that are realistic, optimistic and supportive. ‘There’s plenty of work around. I have all that’s needed to find a new job.

Tap resources on resilience.

Resilience refers to a person’s ability to bounce back from adversity. Research has identified what enables some people to deal with challenges effectively. You can read about the research.

Dr Ann Villiers, career coach, writer and author, is Australia’s only Mental Nutritionist specialising in mind and language practices that help people build flexible thinking, confident speaking and quality connections with people.