What Had Happened Was...

Our current economy has opened the door for many more people to experience the sting of layoff, displacement, downsizing, etc. No matter what term you use, at the end of the day, it means I won't be going back to the job I had. But how do you move beyond something so emotional?

Lets break it down, it's not just that your job has been snatched from you. It's all of the ancillaries. Jason's soccer, Katie's ballet, weekly manicures, vacations, even the occasional at home shrimp dinner. Though it feels like it, this is not the end.

First, surround yourself with positive messages. Those may come from books, posts, tweets, friends, family, anywhere. This also means that those people that want to cosign on your misery must go. Who am I talking about? Anyone that wants to remind you that it's hard to find a job nowadays, or that they know someone that's been out of work for three years. Just because it happens, doesn't mean you have to dine on the message for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late night snack.

Next, carry no guilt, nor a badge. Do not feel guilty because you were laid off. In most cases, the company existed before they knew your name, but more importantly, you existed before you knew their name. It is not necessary to carry your job loss as a sandwich board. It should not be your opening remark when speaking to someone. Talk about what you ARE doing, such as volunteering, planning activities for the kids, reading a book, etc. I've often heard people refer to this state as being in transition. I believe that is a very healthy way to approach it. It implies you are going somewhere.

Finally, get out of your own way. Often we stay focused on a specific job title, work schedule, industry or even location. Figure out what flexibility you have and incorporate that into work job search. You may be at a point in your life where you can relocate to another city or state. If that's the case, do your research about the area, if it is unfamiliar to you, and start looking. Maybe you need to stay put. That does not prevent you from checking out other industries and even positions that may be different from what you were doing that draw on your existing skills and allow you to develop new ones.

So, don't shy away from the situation, get out there and see what's over the horizon. I'll bet it's beautiful.