No one likes to hear the words, “You’re fired.”
Even if your boss sugar coats it with “I hate to do this, but I have to let you go,” or you were fired up to quit but they beat you to the punch. It always stings.
Getting caught unaware can put you on the express train to depression.
But it doesn’t have to.
It can be an adventure.
First off: Don’t panic. The sun will rise tomorrow. Your life isn’t over.
But it is important to get your ducks in a row. If you had money saved for 3 or 6 months of living expenses, then it’s obviously less of a panic. If not, it’s time to get smart and resourceful.
The most important step you can take is to avoid TV and inundating yourself with the reality that there are no jobs. Our world is changing. There are jobs. And you will find them.
With new freedom (however reluctant) comes new possibilities. You can learn a new skill, move to the city of your dreams, work from home in your PJs and finally make a living off your hobbies.
But you have to want it.
Take a deep breath. Take another one. And one more.
Let’s get started.
What if this was exactly what you wanted?
Admit it, you’ve been bitching about your job, your boss, your co-workers, the shitty breakroom coffee, whatever. You’ve been saying that you want to leave. Your journal’s filled with dreams of starting your own business, penning a mystery novel, masterminding a vegan gluten-free bakery, or finally seeing Paris.
Take some time to reflect, meditate, and deeply contemplate your truth.
You get one life. What are you going to do with it?
I can hear your excuses already.
“I don’t have the money.”
“Me? Start a business? Oh… I’d probably suck at it.”
“I can’t because… I just can’t.”
Seek, and you shall find. Got the travel bug and no cash to feed it? Teach English as a second language somewhere in the world. Don’t know the first thing about the baking biz? Hire a coach to help you get cookin’. No time to write the next Great Gatsby? Honey, please. You’ve got nothing but time now. Get off Facebook and get to work.
Maybe your time in that job was up. What if you stayed for too long?
I know this one too well. I’ve let too many jobs go far beyond their expiration date.
Perhaps your time was up in the role you had. Now, you create a new role for yourself.
I’m an entrepreneur by nature. I’ve always got plan B, C and D in the pipeline. I also don’t take well to authority, so with a rebel yell, I took the leap and started working for myself!
So can you.
Got skills? Market those bad boys. Got your hours in, and now you’re an expert in your field? Yep, you can make a living from that golden knowledge all by yourself. The world’s been waiting for you! Take the stage.
What if your appointment is done?
I had a client who was trying to convince herself she should continue her career as a paralegal. It was plainly obvious she was ready to move on, but she was unable to see it. Forcing it made it worse. She was stressed, underpaid and unappreciated. We worked on her self-worth and esteem and realized that if she didn’t work, she wasn’t worthy.
REALLY?!
That’s simply not true. If your self-worth and esteem depend on your employment status, knock it off. There is so much more to who you are.
So now you’ve completed your ‘appointment’ at your former job. It’s time to leave.
What is your next appointment? Who’s out there that would love to have you on their team? They’re out there. It’s up to you to get their attention!
What are you good at? What do you like to do?
Those may not have the same answer. Just because you’re good at it doesn’t mean you like to do it, and vice versa. Follow your heart, heed your gut and take action that feeds your soul.
What if someone else is perfect for your job?
Think about it. You may have hated your job, but there must be someone out there who loves filling out those T.P.S. reports. Release what does not serve you, for the greater good. Give that potential perfect replacement the chance to show up + rock the opportunity.
If you’ve outgrown your trousers, remember: there’s someone out there with no pants on! Pay it forward, right?
When I first heard this question, I had to let it simmer. Then I got it: “If I am holding on to something that someone else would LOVE to have, then I impede the flow of the universe.”
Move on. Find something new that works.
What if your dream job is around the corner?
This is the best part, because you get to explore and create your next position.
Work from your strengths. Not sure what those are? Try Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. (Make sure you get a new one so you can take the online assessment.).
One of the secrets to Warren Buffet’s success is, “Know your strengths and weaknesses; admit your likes and dislikes.”
Once you’ve got that, then you can dive in. You may find what you’ve always wanted to do is what you’re actually good at doing! You’ve heard the compliments your whole life, you just never thought you could make a living off of it. Yes you can!
You may find you’ve ignored a strength that can put you in the position you’ve always wanted. You can use Marcus Buckingham’s assessment in his book, Now, Discover Your Strengths, to carve out your cover letter and offer it up to a company.
Got the itch to do your own thing? Cool! Build that foundation on your real power- not what you wish your power was.
The best part of all this? You get to know yourself better, give more, and feel more certain in the face of uncertainty. Take a deep breath. Take another one. And one more.
Trust in a universe that is conspiring for your greater good.
Twitter: lifechangenet
says:
As always, Hillary…providing great options and perspective. Nice Office Space reference too with the TPS reports.