How to Come Back After….
Returning after an injury or need for time off is one thing, but how do we come back from being disciplined, maybe even suspended? Is it possible to redeem yourself? Is it possible to regain the place you once were? That all depends, not on what others think or how they see you, but quite simply, it all depends on you.
Regardless of what has happened, no one likes to be disciplined. The child who broke a plate, the teenager who stayed out after curfew, the coach who was thrown out of the game, or the leader who was reprimanded by their superior.
Chances are, if you have been in any position long enough, you will find yourself facing some form of disciplinary action. And know what, that is ok! We ALL make mistakes. No one is perfect.
No matter how light or how strong the punishment is, any form of discipline can be a huge hit on confidence, and more so, to the belief in oneself. It is monumental in the mind of those who are trying their best and wish only to do good. And, if left unchecked, can ruin any hope for a constructive future.
So, how do we pick up the pieces? How do we know that tomorrow’s tomorrow? How do we believe that we still have value and are able to contribute?
Do NOT let this weigh you down. You didn’t make it to the position you are in now without hard work and determination. And with that hard work comes victories and setbacks. One day you will finish early and obtain that bonus and praise, and the next moment you will lose sleep and time with your family as you leave it all out there to get it done by 9:00 am the next day.
Why the Discipline?
We need to understand the reasoning as to why we were given disciplinary action in the first place. (insert your own personal event here)
The hardest part now, is OWNING the issue. Deflection, redirection, denial, they all won't help you get past it. Owning up to your part in the event, being responsible for your role not only will put you more at ease, but it may also have a bearing on the extent of the discipline that you are being given. Cooperation and truthfulness are cornerstones of being able to move on.
By now, hopefully we understand that the reason for the discipline is not personal, nor to be vindictive. Rather, the discipline is designed to help the person change their behavior, or recognize that the actions and behavior taken cannot happen again.
For those of us in our “senior years” of employment, and life - making changes to our patterns and behaviors is almost as difficult as it is to accept being disciplined. Though trying to stop a behavior is much easier than getting repeatedly hit with a wooden spoon. Whether change comes easily or not for us, we must push beyond the embarrassing 4position that we feel we are in, and allow ourselves to not be defined by the discipline or the rumor mill that may surround it, but rather from what we do now, from this moment on.
This, is our path to the future.
