You get up every day and think about the tasks you need to complete when you get to work. You feel overwhelmed at work, but you know it’s good to have a job that pays the bills. Then, you arrive at work, and your boss calls a meeting in 2 hours with you and your three co-workers in your department. The Human Resources manager will be in the meeting as well. The 4 of us chat with each other trying to figure out what this meeting could it be about. HR is known for being confidential so why would they speak to us as a group. Maybe we’re being recognized for our hard work… maybe our supervisor is getting a promotion. We can only guess… we’ll know for sure in a few hours. So it’s time. Our supervisor plus the HR manager and the four us are in the conference room. The HR manager gives us the news. We’re downsizing the department and the four of us will be out of a job in 2 months. Wow! Didn’t see that comin’.
Being dismissed from work is never easy. My first thoughts are how am I going to pay the bills? Do I have enough money to cover my expenses for the next several months? What about my children’s quality of life? It’s not as easy as it used to be to find a new job. (I may look good for my age but I’m still a woman of a certain age) Even when you apply and are called in to interview… companies may take several months before making a decision.
Here are 4 things I know for sure
1. Don’t Panic.
The first step is don’t panic. Losing your job is an adverse situation. However, it is not the end of the world. You will find something eventually. Besides, you can always start up a business online. It’s never been easier or cheaper to get something going. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make money when you take that route. It does take work… but you can do it.
2. Focus on your next move.
Don’t focus on what happened with your job. Instead, focus on how you are going to rectify the situation. It’s important to put your energy in the right place… looking forward not back.
3. This is not the time for drugs and alcohol.
“Some people” have been known to take drugs and alcohol after being fired, and that’s something you need to avoid. It’s easy to get hooked, and once you do, it’s challenging to overcome the situation. It could lead to postponing your job search. Even worse, you will likely alienate your family and friends. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is a depressant. If you’re down about your situation, alcohol will just drag you down even further.
4. No Pity Spending.
Try to cut back on spending. It’s easy to rack up credit card balances and they will become more difficult to pay when those balances reach unmanageable levels. If you have some money for emergencies, use that instead of using your credit cards.
Now if you find yourself strapped for cash, make sure you pay your mortgage or rent before any other payment. You don’t want the bank hunting you down and eventually foreclosing on your property. You can negotiate the payment terms on other bills.
Remember this is just another pit stop on life’s journey.
Have you gone through a lay off? Do you recall doing any of those 4 things? Come on be honest. I want to know. Comment below.