How To Stay Focused On Your Career Goals After A Traumatic Event

Life can be tough sometimes, even more, when one encounters a traumatic event. Whether it’s a loss of a loved one, a breakup, an accident, or a terror attack, it can hit harder than one imagines. The experience can mess with your head and make it hard to focus on your career goals.

The worst part is that traumatic events are common, with as many as 70% of American adults facing one in some form at some point. You could be one of them too! Besides the personal aspect, you’ve got to deal with an impact on your career. After all, your career is worth a fortune because it keeps your finances in place.

Fortunately, it’s possible to bounce back and get your career goals on track. But how will you manage it when you feel on the edge every day after a traumatic event? Lucky for you, we’ve got some tried and tested strategies from people who’ve been there and got through. Let’s share them with you.

Take care of yourself first

Healing from a traumatic event is no mean feat, and your well-being should be the top priority. You must commit to taking care of yourself first, even before looking for ways to bring your career on track again.

Begin with the self-care basics, such as eating well, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep. Doing your bit for your physical health can have a far-reaching impact on your mental well-being. It puts you in a good place to stay motivated and focused on your career goals.

Seek support

Nothing matters more than a strong support system when you’re going through a challenging time. Seek support from friends and family. In fact, you should also build a support system at work by asking for help from your employer and co-workers.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help. Having people in your corner to lift you up when you’re feeling down can make all the difference.

Reset your finances

Rethinking your career after a traumatic event is easier said than done. It may take a long time, specifically when you are injured or disabled. Terror attack victims may suffer from mental stress and severe illnesses due to toxic exposure.

You must look for ways to reset your finances until things are on track. The good thing is that you may get compensation for your losses and suffer in incidents like car accidents and terror attacks.

For example, advocacy by 9/11 lawyers has helped many 9/11 victims claim compensation for their suffering. Financial stability keeps you afloat while finding the road back.   

Set small, achievable goals

After a traumatic event, you may not be able to focus on the big picture. Setting small, achievable goals is a better way as you can accomplish one step at a time instead of stressing out. For example, if your career goal is to get a new job, break it down into smaller goals, such as updating your resume or networking in the industry.

 With small goals and milestones, you feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete a task. And, it also helps you stay motivated throughout the comeback journey.

Practice self-compassion

Even as you create realistic career goals, it may be hard to achieve them. But the last thing you should do is beat yourself up for failing to fulfill your expectations. You’ve got to practice self-compassion and give yourself a break when things do not go your way.

Forgive yourself for failing, and start again. And never judge yourself for needing time to heal. You deserve all the kindness, so start with yourself!

Create a routine

Life may feel chaotic after a traumatic event because you swing between different emotions. But having a routine can help you feel more in control as you struggle to resume normalcy. Try waking up at the same time every day, even if you don’t have to go to work.

Spend an hour looking for job opportunities online. Set aside a few hours every week to work on your career goals. A routine enables you to focus on what’s important instead of worrying about useless things.

Summing Up

Dealing with a traumatic event can be incredibly challenging, and your career goals may be the last thing on your mind. But focusing on them gives you a fresh start and helps you heal. You need not stress about getting things on track again because it’s absolutely doable. Follow these strategies, and you’ll be well on the road to success. All the best!

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.