Perseverance in a cut throat industry

Hello,

First post here. I am one year into a career change (I am 40) as a media personality. It is an absolute privilege and I adore the work I get to do, especially as it’s such a difficult industry to “make it” in and I have had some early success. Whilst things are going well, I recently lost my podcast contract (due to funding issues not me personally). I found this is triggered in me a feeling of resentment and freeze. I am a BIPOC, working class woman and am the first person from this demographic to represent in this area (I’m a subject specialist) and I have realised I am doing this for so many reasons that pertain to social and racial injustices. This recent “loss” at work has made me feel the task is too huge and I feel I’m in a David and Goliath situation! It’s quite lonely work, highly competitive and riddled with rejection. Usually, I cope well under these pressures but right now I am at a loss as to how to use this situation to focus and motivate me further. I know I will not give up- I do feel a new energy there as well as disappointment- but I now need to find a new focus, direction and way of building resilience in a difficult business. I would appreciate any guidance on how to begin unpicking all this!

Thanks

 

Answer:

Welcome! We’re so glad you’ve come to AAC for some coaching on this. Sometimes when we are having trouble moving into “the next thing” it can be because we haven’t processed what we are feeling and experiencing from the “the thing that happened” – in this case, the loss you speak of. What do you think that losing your podcast contract means for or about you?
This is a great opportunity to do a Thought Download – writing down all the answers to the question “What does this mean for or about you?” without judgment and without editing. Notice how you feel when you answer that question, and whether anything seems to tie into your inability to focus or feel motivated. Come back to us with what you uncover in a follow-up post titled Perseverance Pt. 2.