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If you are one of the millions of Americans who have been "downsized," "right-sized" or any of the terms used for having lost your job, you have no doubt experienced many emotions: anger, fear, resentment, sadness, loss, numbness and the list goes on and on. We (and I have been there, too, having unexpectedly lost a job I loved that affected every aspect of my life) know how much of our personal sense of self is tied to what we do instead of who we are. Getting lost in the pain is a natural response...for a little while. But the reality is that job seekers cannot afford the luxury of staying in that cocoon of waiting for tomorrow to come to get started finding the next position.
Only you can pick yourself up and, like the Nike commercial - "just do it!" And you can! Acknowledging your emotional state is the first step in recovering your power to move forward.
Try these steps:
1. List every skill you possess -- no humility allowed! If you can't come up with them, ask those who know you to give you their list.
2. List your accomplishments - what have you achieved, in quantifiable results?
3. How do you get along with people? Write examples of good experiences.
4. Get your friends, family and prior co-workers to describe you (accept their glowing terms!).
5. Make a plan (and commit to it) to eat well and move your body every day.
This may seem silly, but it is something I've done with clients for years: make a lot of 3x5 cards with the words "Hello, Gorgeous!" on them and put them everywhere --on the mirror where you brush your teeth in the morning with your hair standing on end, on the visor of your car, as a bookmark, by the phone where you are doing your job research (anywhere that will remind you that you are a person of value and worth). While it may seem like a little thing, if your spirit lifts and you stand straighter, you will be the one taking control. You ARE gorgeous! (and, yes, guys...I'm talking to you, too!).
Written by Sally Cofer-Lindberg
Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.
~ Alex Karras
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"Job Loss Blues? You Are Not Alone - Some Suggestions"
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