How to use Friction as a positive force in your Career

Friction in our careers is inevitable. It’s something we all experience, no matter our industry or level of expertise. But instead of seeing it as a setback, what if we viewed it as a sign of growth and adaptation?

Normalize and Welcome Friction in Our Careers ✨
Everyone experiences tough times at work. It’s a universal aspect of professional life, yet it's often surrounded by stigma.

People tend to feel ashamed or embarrassed when they face challenges, viewing them as personal failures rather than natural growth opportunities. By normalizing friction, we acknowledge that it is a regular part of career development.

Accepting friction as a standard aspect of work helps to remove this stigma. When we openly discuss the difficulties we encounter, we create an environment where others feel comfortable doing the same. This openness fosters a culture of mutual support and understanding, where employees can seek advice, share experiences, and offer encouragement to one another.
It helps us all realize that facing friction is not a sign of weakness, but a step towards becoming more resilient and capable professionals.

Turn Towards Friction and Learn from It ✨
It’s natural to want to avoid difficult situations, but doing so can prevent us from growing. When we face friction head-on, we gain valuable insights and learn critical lessons that can help us advance in our careers.
Each instance of friction is an opportunity to learn something new about ourselves, our work, and how we interact with others.

When we view friction as a learning experience rather than a threat, we can transform challenges into steppingstones for success.

Final thought:
Career friction isn’t something to be ashamed of; it’s a badge of progress. By embracing and learning from it, you can transform challenges into powerful growth opportunities.

The next time you encounter friction in your career, remember that you’re not alone, and with the right mindset and approach, you can turn it into a steppingstone towards success.

Remember:

Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize your well-being and mental health during times of career friction & focus on what you can control and maintain a positive outlook.

1. 4 ways to use
friction as a
positive force
WITH LICIA DEWING
CAREER STRATEGIST
in your career
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2. Friction in our careers is
inevitable.
Instead of turning away
from it and looking to
change or make a move
to a new environment....

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3. w
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w
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c
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d
lear
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m
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?

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4. USE THESE 4 WAYS
TO STAY FOCUSED
AND HARNESS
FRICTION AS A
FORCE FOR GROWTH
AND SUCCESS!
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5. 1.
SEEK NEW
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR GROWTH
Friction can often arise
when we are faced with
new challenges or
opportunities that require
us to stretch beyond our
comfort zone.

6. 2.
BE OPEN
TO NEW IDEAS &
PERSPECTIVES
Friction can arise when
we are confronted with
new ideas that challenge
our existing beliefs or
ways of doing things.
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7. 3.
BEING WILLING TO
TAKE RISKS & TRY
NEW THINGS
Friction can arise when we
are faced with uncertainty
or the unknown, and it can
be tempting to play it safe
and stick with what we
know.
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8. 4.
BE RESILIENT
IN THE FACE OF
CHALLENGES
Friction arises when we
encounter setbacks or
obstacles in our work,
and it can be easy to
become discouraged or
lose motivation.
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9. FRICTION CAN BE A
POSITIVE FORCE IN
OUR CAREERS
IF WE ARE WILLING
TO EMBRACE IT AND
USE IT TO DRIVE
SUCCESS.
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10. Experiment with these
4 ways .

U
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F
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A
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A
P
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S
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F
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C
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11. HAVE A QUESTION?
ASK AWAY IN THE
COMMENTS:
MORE THAN ANYTHING
I WANT YOU TO GET
THE STRATEGY RIGHT!
??????

12. WAS THIS HELPFUL?
Let me know in the comments
& Share with a friend who needs it!
www.careerstrategist.co.za
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