Fired? Laid off? Downsized?
FIRED????? LAID OFF????? Not me, they need me, I was the top producer, I worked hard and always did more than what they asked for, I worked over time with a smile, I gave them my heart and sole, ETC………………….Now WHAT?????
Losing your job is one of life’s most unexpected moments. We believe that because we are a banner employee that we are indispensable. Obviously, no one’s career or position is “safe” in today’s economy. When you are handed your walking papers or pink slip, take a few days to rough through the emotional roller coaster. Give yourself just enough time to regroup and catch your breath. Once you stop hyperventilating, you have probably overcome the first and worst hurdle, shock syndrome. Unfortunately, once we actually swallow that egg, new emotions take over. Because we are all human though very individual, each person processes this kind of upset differently. Generally, anger is the first emotion we encounter. “How could they have done this to me?” runs through your head over and over again. We think of all kinds of ways to seek solace in some type of retribution. Realizing after time that this is not who you are, we then enter into a time of sadness, low self esteem and feel we must not be worthy. Of course this is not true, but at the time, this is the way we feel, so it is what we become. Looking up and seeing a cloud over our heads seems normal as this is what we believe we deserve. Some experience depression which can vary in severity and is very real. Most are able to overcome this but if it lingers on too long, seeking professional counseling is important to your well being and health. As ugly as it is, experiencing these uncomfortable emotions is so common that it is considered normal. The beauty of going through this distressing time is that eventually, the skies clear and healing begins to take place. Signs of the “real” you start to resurface again. You begin to find humor comforting, and you start to realize that this abominable experience has changed you for the better. You now realize that though your life has changed and will change dramatically, you know that you are competent and capable.
If the above sounds like you are or someone you know, addressing this blog may actually help someone who is currently facing these challenging times.
Carrie Childs
President
Lindsay Group, Inc.
www.lindsaygroupinc.com
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All very true for the people that work for a company as an employee. However, for the contractor, it's a totally different situation, as you well know. A contractor knows his work is time limited, that there is a planned end date. Sometimes, if the contract is a good one, you almost hate to leave, but you do, searching for the next contract. One bright spot in the contractor's life is recurring contracts from the same client, if the contractor has impressed the client sufficiently to gain a positive reputation. It's almost the direct opposite to the above situation.
ReplyDeleteA recession can be more damaging to the contractor, though. Finding a contract becomes more difficult when a client is being forced to layoff personnel to stay in business. Money gets tight for things like special projects and justifying the expense of a contractor over a hired employee becomes impossible.
But, such is life in the business world.