Layoff Blues: What you should do next

Are you, or someone you know going through some tough times from a recent company downsizing?  It seems to be quite popular with employers these days.  The first thing you should know is that your not alone.  At the time of publishing  the unemployment rate is 9.6% according to U.S. bureau of labor statistics.

Holy cow, that's a lot of people!  Well, if your one of them please keep reading, this could be a blessing in disguise.

There you are quietly trying to look busy in your cubicle when....your supervisor comes by and asks, "can I see you for a minute?"
When all is said and done, you drive home in disbelief  that this was happening to you.  Perhaps you found yourself shouting at the steering wheel "WHY ME?"
The answer to that question may not be obvious, but the truth of the matter is that your probably better off.  Had you had feelings of leaving anyway?  Were you in the process of looking for another job when this occurred?  No matter what the reason, your unemployed and scared.  The big question is, how can you turn this around to your advantage?

First you want to calm down and focus your attention on moving forward.  Blaming yourself will only create a situation that will spiral out of control.  Blaming the company, your boss, management or other employees will also create more heart ache than it  is worth.   You want to get back on your feet, and begin to see a new life for yourself.

If you can, try to be grateful for the job and people you left behind.   This job was there for you when you were hired, and for that give thanks.  I understand this sounds down right crazy at a time like this, but try it.  By genuinely giving thanks, you send out a vibration of appreciation for prosperity.  Even though you no longer are working at your old job, being grateful for it while it was there will help create the next job.  Purge all feelings of anger or resentment as quickly as you can.  Write out all the nasty  feelings your going through, and run it through the shredder.  This might take several days of writing and shredding, but letting go of the old job is the only way to move towards the next.  So, do what needs to be done to make peace with your situation.

Letting go of your bad feelings is going to be the most difficult thing you might ever do.  I understand.  But if you continue to hold any negative energy in your subconscious, you will likely find yourself wasting your efforts being mad, rather than finding a new career.

Second, take the time to write out what it is that you want to do.  Maybe this layoff came at a perfect time.  Perhaps you can now do something that you WANT to do.  I know money and benefits are probably the only thing driving your job search.  I get the fact that you would like to make the same money or more than you were making.  If that's the case, money will always control your life.  This is an opportunity to find something you would love doing, but never had the balls to go after.

Believe it or not, happiness is way more important than money.  There are miserable millionaires who wish they could give the money back, if only to be carefree and happy again.   Seeing a layoff as a blessing in disguise will be a strech for many of you reading this, but try it on for size and see if it allows any new career ideas to cross your mind.

NOW is the time to harness the energy your feeling and focus it toward something you were never strong enough to leap into.

I wrote this article to lend my sliver of hope for anyone who might be able to use it.  If you, or someone you know needs a shoulder to lean on, feel free to visit my site and contact me.  9.6% of America need a friend right now.

Thank You,

~Dan

www.ThinkingEasy.com