Thermoforming Report

by Keith Brown, President & Owner, Siena Group

A Personal Take on Persistence

It’s been a different kind of year. One major personal event, combined with a slow but steady drip of smaller business challenges, has added up to a tough twelve months. As I reflect on these events, I’m reminded of other seasons – both personally and professionally – when difficult circumstances demanded a response. The phrase that keeps coming to mind is simple: just keep going. Those three words are easy to say… but much harder to live out.

A quick search confirms I’m not alone in this thought. The “just keep going” approach is widely recognized as a mindset of persistence and resilience. It’s about moving forward through setbacks instead of giving up – sustaining effort and progress even when it feels tough. The AI-generated summaries of this idea highlight practical strategies: focus on process over outcome, view setbacks as learning opportunities, set small achievable goals, don’t wait for motivation to strike, practice self-compassion, and lean on your support network – solid advice, pulled from the collective wisdom of many smart voices.

Interestingly, we explored this idea back in January’s blog, looking at resiliency in the manufacturing sector. That piece was organizational in focus. This month, I want to turn the lens inward and consider resilience from a personal perspective.

When Life Shows Up

We live in crazy times! Then again, that could be said about almost any era! (My father-in-law often shared stories from 1968, when he and his friends were convinced the world was coming apart at the seams!) Some seasons are undeniably more turbulent than others, but the truth is, life always brings a mix of challenges, struggles, and setbacks – alongside successes, joys, and leaps forward.

The question is: how do we manage them? What do we do in response?

Wisdom comes with time. Each of us is shaped by our experiences, our personalities, and the lessons life hands us. Last September, my family walked through the loss of our father. He lived a full, rich life and left behind an incredible legacy, but the grief was heavy. It was hard – to say the least. Still, the next day arrived, and we had to take the next step. And the one after that. And the one after that. We got up. We kept going. And then we did it again the next day. And the next. Just. Keep. Going.

Siena Group experienced a similar rhythm in business this past year. We closed out 2024 with one of the strongest fourth quarters in our history and entered 2025 poised for even greater success. Then, in the first five months, a series of setbacks landed – each one with its own impact, and together creating unplanned struggles. It’s been hard – to say the least. But we have outstanding clients and searches that keep us moving forward. We get up. We keep going. And then we do it again the next day. And the next. Just. Keep. Going.

Career Resiliency

Harvard Business Review published an article on this very topic back in March: How to Build Career Resilience in Uncertain Times. My argument still stands – this kind of resiliency isn’t just useful in certain seasons; it’s always necessary because times are always uncertain.

The article frames it well:

“The real challenge today isn’t just holding onto a job or making it through another quarter – it’s building a career that won’t crumble in the face of disruption. That takes career resilience: the ability to adapt, take initiative, and stay grounded, even when the ground is shifting beneath you.” [HBR, 3/25/25]

Just. Keep. Going.

The author lays out four core practices:

1. Identify your non-negotiables.
2. Build adaptability and agility.
3. Deepen relationships.
4. Create your next best option.

It’s worth a read – the article is packed with thoughtful, actionable insights. The author closes with this reminder:

“Career resilience is no longer tied to a company, a title, or a paycheck; it’s built on your ability to navigate what’s next while staying grounded in the present.”

That really resonates.

Building a resilient career requires us to be both strategic and intentional – trusting that we can navigate uncertainty without getting stuck in it or burning out trying to outrun it.

A Story of Resilience

I’ve recently witnessed this truth in action. A candidate faced a unique set of circumstances: due to work dynamics, he was separated from his family, living in different countries. Eventually, they took a leap of faith and decided to start fresh together in the U.S. Thankfully, his current employer was supportive, but the transition still placed them in completely uncharted territory.

It was hard – to say the least. But he just kept showing up. Doing the next thing. And then the next. Recently, his persistence paid off: he landed an incredible opportunity with a great company! He got up. He kept going. And then he did it again the next day. And the next. Just. Keep. Going.

Keep Going: A Universal Truth

Even Disney picked up on this theme with their hit Finding Nemo. Dory, the blue tang fish, had a simple tagline: “just keep swimming.” It helped her hold onto hope in challenging situations – and it reminded her clownfish friend Marlin to push past his instinct to give up and keep moving forward.

The number of related proverbs and sayings that hang on posters in homes, offices, and manufacturing plants are nearly endless. You can finish them without thinking: “When life gives you lemons…” Of course you can.

As Nelson Mandela said: “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” And Helen Keller reminded us: “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

We get up. We keep going. And then we do it again the next day. And the next.

Just. Keep. Going.

At Siena Group, we are your Thermoforming Talent Partner! We’re here to help in any and every way possible! With more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, hiring & recruiting talent, we bring a greater understanding of the companies we partner with and the candidates we pursue. Let’s Strengthen Your Search!