Building Resilience: Lessons Learned from My Career Journey

If I had to pick one quality that’s helped me navigate the twists and turns of my career, it’s resilience. But let me be honest, it wasn’t something I was born with or mastered immediately. Resilience was built over the years, shaped by moments of uncertainty, lessons from setbacks, and the support of people around me. But looking back, I realize that those moments were where growth happened, even if I couldn’t see it at that time.

Here are a few lessons I’ve picked up along the way, ones that I hope might resonate with you, too:

1. View change as an opportunity.

   Things are constantly shifting and evolving at work. What worked yesterday might not work today, and that can be scary. A new role, a significant project pivot, or even a team restructuring could leave me feeling out of balance. But as I faced these moments, I realized they pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. Now, I try to approach change with curiosity and believe it is an invaluable opportunity, asking, “What can I learn from this?” It turned out that every change pushed me to learn new things, step outside my comfort zone, and try new approaches.

   
   

2. Setbacks are painful, yet have faith in yourself.

   I still remember one project early in my career that ultimately flopped. I had poured months of effort into it, only to see it fail to deliver the desired results. It was a tough pill to swallow. There have been other times when I've felt completely lost and doubted my abilities. But I've learned to cultivate a growth mindset – believing that I can always learn and improve, which is a necessary step for growth. While failure isn’t the only teacher, it has often been one of the most impactful for me. It shaped how I approach challenges, transforming my perspective into one of resilience and confidence. Now, when faced with difficulties, I think, "Bring it on!”.

   
   

3. Build a support network and seek assistance.

   I used to feel the pressure of needing to have all the answers when things weren’t going as planned. It felt like admitting uncertainty was a failure on my part. But over time, I’ve understood that asking for help or simply saying, “I don’t know,” isn’t a weakness—it’s an act of courage. Some of the most challenging moments in my career became manageable because of the incredible people around me. A mentor’s wisdom, a colleague’s encouragement, or even a heartfelt chat with a friend over lunch made all the difference. Building a support network isn’t just helpful, it’s a lifeline. As the saying goes, “Your network is your net worth,” and I’ve learned to cherish mine.

   
   

4. Focus on what you can control.

   One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is letting go of the need to control everything. You may have heard someone say, “Just focus on what you can control.” It was not easy for me initially, and I tried to remind myself that there are so many external factors I can’t control, such as other people’s actions, unexpected setbacks, or how long something takes to resolve, but I can control how I respond.

   
   

   When I feel overwhelmed by a situation, I ask myself, “What is one thing I can do today to move forward?” Maybe it’s calling my network, writing down my thoughts, reading a book, or taking a walk outside the office. It's okay not to figure everything out all at once. It also helps to remember that big goals take time. "You can’t get to Roma within one day", it’s about taking consistent steps in the right direction. Focus on the process, not perfection. It’s easy to focus on what went wrong, but don’t forget to celebrate what went right, even the little things. Every step forward matters, no matter how small.

   
   

To me, resilience means being stronger through the process and being willing to learn and adapt. Looking back, I’m grateful for the lessons resilience has taught me. They’ve shaped my career and helped me lead with empathy, foster collaboration, and inspire others. To anyone facing challenges and setbacks, embrace the change, believe in yourself, lean on your network, and celebrate every small win.

I’d love to hear your stories. What moment in your life or career taught you about resilience?

ChatGPT generated the photo.