Embracing Early Career Pain (Literally!): A Chronic Pain Story

Starting a new career is a lot like managing chronic pain — both involve navigating discomfort, uncertainty, and the occasional “ouch!” This session focuses on embracing the painful moments that come with entering the workforce, and why learning to embrace the pain and discover your limitations will help you grow as a professional. Just like pushing through pain without listening to your body, pushing forward without recognizing your limitations can lead to unnecessary strain. Instead, by leveraging my experiences with chronic pain, I’ll describe strategies for overcoming self-sabotaging mindsets, analyzing limitations in the context of unrealistic goal-setting, and seeking support for insurmountable limitations. In this presentation, we’ll explore how embracing both the literal and figurative pain in our stories can lead to personal and professional development, helping us thrive without overloading our metaphorical backs.