The market analysis is bleak and you find yourself a victim of the economic crisis. The unexpected change can bring forth a myriad of emotional and mental reactions which can be productive or destructive. The good news is that you do still have certain level of control and choice over what happens next.
Accept Changes
As a perceived victim, it is so easy to complain about, and blame, someone else. This approach absolves you of any responsible action and invites sympathy from others but it fosters an attitude of entitlement, of someone owing you a living. Worse still, it leads you into a vicious cycle of recriminations and stagnation.
It is important to notice that and to step out as soon as possible. It is perfectly okay to feel angry and afraid and to fully experience your emotions so you are then able to detach from them. Once you accept the situation, you channel your energies from fighting or avoiding it to picking yourself up and moving on. It’s like a mantra: get up, lick wounds, learn lesson and move forward. It is not worth agonising what could have been and worth absolutely everything to look forward and ask "what’s next".
Seek Support
Supportive is not to be confused with sympathetic. Many people are willing to listen to your grievances and take your side. The danger is that you may end up indulging in "pity parties" of endless wallowing and blaming. It therefore takes a special group of people who is willing to take the risk and ask tough questions of you.
Surround yourself with people who care enough to give you honest feedback and who will not accept anything less than what you are capable of achieving. Sometimes it can get a little uncomfortable to receive a metaphorical kick up your butt to get you moving again, but this group of people are a huge source of support and love and it is they who will challenge you to bigger and better things, with the intention of having you win.
Seek New Opportunities
The Chinese word for crisis is made up of two characters. The first character denotes danger while the second signifies opportunity. Unemployment can be a crisis for many. But it is not the end of the world.
What is the silver lining in the cloud? Be creative and start exploring options and opportunities. What other work can you do? What other partnerships can you go into? Have you always had a business you wanted to start; an aspiration to pursue; or a dream job to go for? Start exploring and living.
When You Snooze, You Lose
Recognise that there is no standing still in your comfort zone. You may have built up a comfortable working arrangement and may have been the envy of your peers. And it is when you are just beginning to rest on your laurels when life decides to throw a spanner in the works.
Learn to expect the unexpected. Comfort is not growth; growth is all about creation – of opportunities, of outcomes. In essence, it is about creating the life that you want and continually becoming the best version of yourself. So who are you? What kind of life do you envision? What are the goals you want to accomplish? It is your everyday job to pursue these.
Losing a job is not the end of the world. Once you accept the change and get out of your comfort zone to seek new opportunities, all the while surrounding yourself with supportive people who want to see you win, you begin to see brand new opportunities and possibilities. There are no accidents and losing that job may yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Thaddeus Lawrence - A trainer and facilitator for youth and corporate workshops, Thaddeus is a former Economics lecturer and English teacher whose areas of ...
