Going through cancer treatment brings with it a multitude of lessons that are carried throughout one’s life. Lessons involving patience, perspective and how to define success can all be applied when facing obstacles in one’s career.

Bishoy Tadros battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) as a child. As part of that experience, he learned three poignant lessons that have contributed to success in his career. He delves into these lessons — and how they are relevant to many people working post-cancer — in his recent article for The Muse, “What I Learned About Succeeding in My Career from Battling Illness As a Kid.” Here, we highlight two of the three lessons and how they can be applied to everyone’s journey.

Patience: It’s common to experience frustration as a result of setbacks both large and small. Patience can help mitigate that frustration. Whether you’re job-hunting, feeling stuck in a seemingly dead-end position or taking some time off to care for your health, patience is a virtue worth employing. Remembering that many things take more time than you imagined — and practicing self-forgiveness along the way — can help you focus and build upon smaller victories.

Define what “success” means for you: “Success” means something different to everyone. In order to set and reach your own career goals, it’s important to understand how you view success. Many cancer survivors are motivated to change positions or careers in search of more meaningful work. “Meaning,” like success, has different definitions for each individual. In order to feel fulfilled in your career, it’s essential that you define what meaning and success look like for you.

Creating personal awareness around your experiences and the lessons you’ve gained can allow you to utilize your skills and learnings as you navigate your career path. 

For more on this topic, check out these free CAC resources:

• Read tips on getting back to work.
• Download or order Cancer and Careers’ Job Search Toolkit.
• Receive personalized feedback on your resume through our Resume Review Service.
• If you have a specific question, ask a career coach!