You’re going along you merry way in life, work, family and so forth when one day you get called into the bosses’ office to learn that you’ve been “let go.” It is a total shock, you never saw it coming. Now what, look for another job? In this economy, there are almost no jobs available. What about starting a business?
Perhaps you should step back and deal with the job loss before you try to make huge life-changing decisions like whether to start a business. In my own coaching I see this at least a couple of times a month. Someone lost a job for a reason they believe had nothing to do with their own job performance and seek to start a business before they’ve gotten over the grief of dealing with the job loss.
Job loss creates a grief situation not much different than a death of a loved one. Professional phychologists long ago identified the stages of grief. As someone who has lost a job on more than one occasion, I have felt and dealt with these stages personally. I think it’s helpful to review the stages to help you identify and calm your frustrations and fears.
Shock and Denial – How could this happen to me? During this phase, you need a little time to grieve the loss. This is not the time start out on a new adventure, start a business or any other major life-changing activity. Many people say that losing a job is like losing part of yourself. Take a few days to deal with the numbness.
Fear and Panic – How will I survive? After the shock wears off, the panic sets in. Worries of financial pressures and other real and imagined worries will tend to take control of your thoughts.
Anger – How can they do this to me? The fear will create anger that can tear you apart if you aren’t careful. Learn to channel your anger into productive activities or physical exertion. Learn to process the anger and then let it go.
Bargaining – Maybe it was just a mistake. The bad news is there’s probably no one who will swoop in to make it all better. You are responsible for getting your career and financial stability back on track. Don’t give the responsibility to someone else.
Depression – I’m worthless, just leave me alone! Just as you weren’t worthless the day before you were fired, you’re not worthless today either. If you can’t let go of your anger and develop strategies to reengage in the business world, depression could become a serious problem requiring professional help. Manifestations of job loss can be real and deliberating.
Temporary Acceptance – The past is the past, it’s time to move on. Acceptance is a difficult stage hold, because every rejection or rebuff will cause you to revisit the cycle in some way. That’s why it’s called ‘temporary’ acceptance. Your emotions will be on a roller coaster and your feelings exaggerated. You must learn not to take the actions of others personally.
NEXT: Strategies for Rebuilding Your Future
Perhaps you should step back and deal with the job loss before you try to make huge life-changing decisions like whether to start a business. In my own coaching I see this at least a couple of times a month. Someone lost a job for a reason they believe had nothing to do with their own job performance and seek to start a business before they’ve gotten over the grief of dealing with the job loss.
Job loss creates a grief situation not much different than a death of a loved one. Professional phychologists long ago identified the stages of grief. As someone who has lost a job on more than one occasion, I have felt and dealt with these stages personally. I think it’s helpful to review the stages to help you identify and calm your frustrations and fears.
Shock and Denial – How could this happen to me? During this phase, you need a little time to grieve the loss. This is not the time start out on a new adventure, start a business or any other major life-changing activity. Many people say that losing a job is like losing part of yourself. Take a few days to deal with the numbness.
Fear and Panic – How will I survive? After the shock wears off, the panic sets in. Worries of financial pressures and other real and imagined worries will tend to take control of your thoughts.
Anger – How can they do this to me? The fear will create anger that can tear you apart if you aren’t careful. Learn to channel your anger into productive activities or physical exertion. Learn to process the anger and then let it go.
Bargaining – Maybe it was just a mistake. The bad news is there’s probably no one who will swoop in to make it all better. You are responsible for getting your career and financial stability back on track. Don’t give the responsibility to someone else.
Depression – I’m worthless, just leave me alone! Just as you weren’t worthless the day before you were fired, you’re not worthless today either. If you can’t let go of your anger and develop strategies to reengage in the business world, depression could become a serious problem requiring professional help. Manifestations of job loss can be real and deliberating.
Temporary Acceptance – The past is the past, it’s time to move on. Acceptance is a difficult stage hold, because every rejection or rebuff will cause you to revisit the cycle in some way. That’s why it’s called ‘temporary’ acceptance. Your emotions will be on a roller coaster and your feelings exaggerated. You must learn not to take the actions of others personally.
NEXT: Strategies for Rebuilding Your Future
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