When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

How to navigate “no”

Growing up, when I would get upset about things not working out, my mom would always say, “When one door closes, another one opens.” I did not understand that notion as much back then, but I’ve lived enough decades now to know this to be true. I’ve gone through career no’s, life no’s, family no’s, and other major changes. Many of these things left me in tears, and some left me rejoicing after the fact. Now I realize this was my mom’s way of not only encouraging me but building my resilience and optimism. This phrase encourages people to stay positive and look for new beginnings, even when things don’t go as planned. It’s about the belief that every ending can lead to a new start, often in unexpected and potentially better ways. In today’s post, I am sharing three ways to embrace this concept.

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

– Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV)

A Metaphor for Resilience and Optimism

The saying “When one door closes, another one opens” serves as a powerful metaphor for resilience and optimism in the face of challenges. It reminds us that setbacks or losses often lead to new opportunities or possibilities. Maintaining a positive outlook in challenging times is not just a mindset; it’s a powerful tool that empowers us to overcome any obstacle.

Many mothers face various setbacks in their careers and personal lives. In their careers, mothers often encounter workplace discrimination, lack of parental support policies, limited access to flexible work arrangements, and the struggle to balance work and family responsibilities. These hurdles can hinder career advancement and professional development.

On the personal front, life is always “lifing”! Can you relate? I remember a time when I was looking to leave an employers. I applied to several opportunities only to be met with rejection emails. As much as I reminded myself of the adage, “NO simply means Next Opportunity,” I felt more frustrated with my situation I felt. I was becoming convinced that the next opportunity was not in my future. I’m still unsure which prayer I prayed along this journey (there were many) jolted me into a more optimistic waiting season, but it did. Although it was difficult, I found a way to wait well. Within several months, the right door opened for me at the right time. I was offered a promotional opportunity that shifted the trajectory of my entire career. It landed me in a role that I was not seeking but needed in more ways than one.

I will share more of this journey in a NEW podcast I will launch this fall. Subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the know, click here- Career Mom Community (mailchi.mp)

3 Ways to Embrace This Concept to Build Resilience

Embracing the concept of “When one door closes, another one opens” involves adopting a mindset that looks for opportunities in adversity and staying open to change. A resilient mindset is about finding opportunities in adversity and being adaptable in the face of change. It focuses on growth and embraces change as a natural part of life’s journey. With resilience, you stay positive, adaptable, and open to new possibilities, even in difficult times. Here are three ways to embrace this idea:

1. Practice adaptability
2. Cultivate a growth mindset
3. Stay open to new opportunities

Practice adaptability – When faced with unexpected changes or setbacks, focus on adapting to the new situation and look for new opportunities that may lead to better possibilities.

Cultivate a growth mindset – Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. A growth mindset helps you see failures as learning experiences that can lead to personal development and new opportunities. Focus on what you can learn to open yourself to new possibilities.

Stay open to new opportunities – Being open to new experiences and staying curious can lead to unexpected opportunities that align with your goals and passions, making you more adventurous and willing to take risks.

To Wrap it Up

I hope this post helps you to navigate the no’s of life. We will undoubtedly be faced with other and there will be more to come. It is up to us to maintain the right mindset as we navigate through the journey of life. Let me know if you found these tips, inspired by my mom, helpful in the comments.