Harvard Business Publishing

Great Post.
With Warm Regards,
Debashish Bramha.

Debashish-I am pleased that you like the post. Thank you!

Reading this post ,got me a real 'coffee kick'.I mean it gave me a feeling that there are people like me (and am not the only one!)in this world looking for answers on the same set of questions and the suggestion is more or less applicable to one and all.
Thanks Goldsmith,will try to put the suggestion to use.

Regards
sridhar,Bangalore

Great and timely post! Simple, yet very practical. I personally plan on keeping this and revewing often over the coming weeks and months.

Thank you very much.

Bob Savage

Great Post! Thanks.

Very practical, Feel positive..

Great post, Marshall. Karen really gets it. I'd add that flexibility is important in bouncing back. Good work!

An excellent post with some very useful and practical suggestions. It made me think of a few other things:

1) Just keep on trying. That is the best way to overcome a setback. The one thing successful people have in common, other than experiencing setbacks, is they keep on going and getting things done.

2) Hold on to the one or two biggest moments of success as you work through the setback. This is what many successful people do. It reminds them they have been to the land of success and it gives them the confidence required to succeed going forward.

3) It is easier to be negative than positive. You will have to work harder to regain the positive perspective. As mentioned try to limit the negative aspects of a setback but don't suppress them. Realize the more you can balance the negative thoughts with positive ones the easier it will be to get to your next success.

Richard

I understand from your article that Risk taking and a learning from failures attitude is what one should have .
but always going for risk isnt a wise thing to do. what i mean is the decision whether to take a risk should be carefully taken and then go for it.
For example , during my early career i was given a challange to handle which i thought i wasnt mature enough technically to handle. I could very well deny because it wasnt actually my Job But i decided to go for it and at last i could solve the problem and consequenly got a lot of appreciation in office. Now that doesnt mean i could consistently solve such problems and can take risks consistently of that sort.
i may succeed of fail and learn from that but sometimes the cost of failure is toomuch to risk.
So can you suggest a proper way of consistently taking calculated risks.

Great post---excited to hear about the book!

Karen and Marshall,

What a timely and uplifting post. How about asking yourself the following questions?

Can adversity lead to transformation? Is it time to step back and take an objective look at your career path? Are you still passionate about your work?

On a personal note, I've practiced law for 33 years. My response to my personal "bump in the road" was to recognize it was time for a career change. Law is was what I do, not who I am.

I took a chance and followed my passion, which is internet marketing, copy writing and graphic design. I practice law 2 days per week, now. On the other days, I work at my passion, marketing my new business.

Karen, your advice to think like a lion resonnates with me. I think it applies to all aspects of your life. Looking outside your own self interests to understand someone elses point of view is great advice. Thanks.

This reminds me of my own post on my blog a few days ago. This is the link http://ashutoshsharma115.blogspot.com/2009/01/dormancy.html

Dear Marshall, This Christmas my son spoke of his concern about how we are broadcasting over and over on Television media CNN CNBC and more our own weakness and America looking so bad. "Mom" he said. We are doing so much negative talking ourselves and now we are telling everyone on the globe. I must say your words regarding negativity is truly meaningful. As a member of NSA and hearing your at NYC at our National Speaker's Association Convention was a true privilege.
As a speaker I am reiterating the words of a song from the 40's. Accentuate the Positive. Eliminate the negative and don' t mess with Mr.In between.
Janie Jasin CSP
www.janiespeaks.com

sridhar, Bob, Troy, Dhriraj, Troy-I am glad you liked the post and that the suggestions are helpful to you. Thank you for commenting!
Marsha-Flexibility certainly does help. Thank you for pointing this out!
Richard-Thank you for these "other things". They are very helpful.
Jaideep-I don't think it is necessary to take every risk. What this article is pointing out is that when you do take a risk, if it doesn't work out, learn from it and grow from it. And then the risk will have been "worth it."
Kristen, Ashutosh, Janie-Thank you!
Lawrence-Thank you for this post and these thoughtful questions!

Thanks for the recommendations, you have very aptly described how we will not be able to grow without taking risks.

The important question is to figure out one’s ability to handle the level of risks with appropriate mitigation strategies, without a proper plan B, we will just be shooting in the dark hoping that we will hit the magic spot.

Prakash.

I am always encouraged when I see your posts advocating the practice of evaluating a counterparts perspective when analyzing a difficult interpersonal issue. Understanding your counterpart's point of view is mandatory if you wish to accurately define your differences. Inaccurate definition of differences is the root cause for most of the "disagreement fallout" that we fear worst.

Karen/Marshall:
Thanks for the confidence-building post.

I think the biggest downer for unemployed people, strangely, can be their friends.

Joblessness defines you. You can’t get away from it, even when you break to go to the movies and well-intended friends say, “How’s the job search going?” Unfortunately, the question forces a self-respecting, half-truth, stock answer: “Really good. I’ve got some things going, a possible interview or two.” Even if you want to talk more about your search, you know people really are not interested enough to spend time with the details and the struggles.

Alternatively, I suggest starting conversations with your unemployed friend as if she is employed like you are. If and when she brings up the unemployment issue, only then ask questions and show your support. But let her initiate it.

Additionally, if your friend is unemployed, you need to help carry the burden by being available a few more hours a week for him, listening by moving with his emotional flow rather than offering quick-fix answers, being prepared to stick with him for the long haul when others have forgotten him, and being willing to make a tangible sacrifice – even financial -- if needed.

This is what friendship is supposed to look and sound like, isn’t it? And who needs a friend more than someone who no longer goes to an office, has no colleagues to talk with, and spends tedious hours alone in the agonizing process of searching for a job?

Hi
A very delightful read indeed Mr.Marshall! Left me feeling good. Karen seems like a person with a lot of insight. Thank you both! :)

-Vrinda

Prakesh-Yes, this is true. Thank you!
Gregg-Thank you for this kinds words.
Richard-I absolutely agree with you. Thank you!
Vrinda-Thank you for reading!

Marshall and Sue thank you for your helpful post. I find faith helps enormously. The Psalms contains so many uplifting words that motivates one to try and try again until you succeed in your endeavour.

Marshall keep up the great work you are an inspiration

Marshall, this reminds me of the interview you did with Elliot Masie regarding leading in uncertain times. He suggested that you'd rather be in a kayak than standing on a pillar in rough waters.

You made the point that sometimes we cannot plan as far ahead, and the trick is to figure out the very best thing to do next. It seems that is true whether trying to lead a business through the recession (my experience) or trying to find a job after graduate school when your field is not hiring (my son's experience).

Kayaks in rough waters don't go straight ahead. The kayaker keeps correcting to head in the general direction desired, and learns to roll when capsized. (And roll, and roll...)

Marshall and Karen, thanks for the good ideas.

Marshall - Great Post...loved the piece on negativity. Let me try and see if it works;)