How to Recover from a Huge Career Set Back

If you’ve been a fan of AMC’s Mad Men, you’ve witnessed the rise, fall, and recovery of the ever-suave, Don Draper.  It’s been a theme of the show from the start.  The opening montage of the man falling with skyscrapers in the background forebodes what we can see through the seasons.  But, will he hit the bottom?  Will he rise?  As we await the final episodes of this iconic series, there is only conjecture. More importantly, what can we learn from Don Draper to help us recover from a huge career set back?

Don’t Let Your Past Define You

Don Draper (AKA Dick Whitman) has a past that most people would not rise above.  Don does not hesitate to seize opportunities to climb the ladder.  Who would think that a high-school drop-out could someday be a partner in a prosperous Manhattan ad agency?   It is because Don does not let his past define him. Instead, he’s looking for ways to move beyond the past.

Get Back to the Basics

I won’t spoil recent episodes for those of you catching up on the series.  Let’s just say that Don has suffered astounding professional setbacks, mostly from situations that he created.  As Don’s career falls apart, he gets back to the basics. Even though he was a Creative Director and is still a Partner, he’s not too proud to churn out taglines, reporting to a woman who once worked as his secretary.  By getting back to the basics, he can prove his dedication, remain in the game, and keep his skills fresh.

Repeat Past Success

We all have a sense of what we do well.  When you have a set-back, focusing on tasks that you do well can help to restore your confidence and demonstrate to others that you are still relevant.  Don Draper has the ability to win over clients and create brilliant advertising strategies.  He returns to his “bread and butter” to facilitate his professional recovery.

The best advice for recovering after a huge career set-back is to never give up.  Keep trying.  Even when it’s tough, you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Never stop honing your skills and working on your career because a change in luck could be right around the corner. Often a big failure can be the impetus for even bigger success ahead.  You want to be poised and ready when that opportunity arises.