Who you are is defined by far more than the job you do
Posted on August 25th, 2008 in Career development, Job search, Personal awareness, lessons learned |
It may be random but I have read a lot of posts lately on what to do if you lose your job. A couple worth reading are by Dave McQueen and Steve Roesler. Please watch the video linked to Steve’s post if you haven’t already.
I will never make light of someone losing their job. It happened to me. It was the best thing that could have happened at the time. It made me take a step into the unknown but it was the right thing to do. I was challenged by what to say I did when I met people for the first time - I am a business owner, coach, trainer, mum…. First and foremost I am me. When I meet people now most are astonished that I was a tax consultant in a previous life. Well, think tax consultant and what comes to mind ? That earned my a decent living - but it did not make me happy.
There is a gloomy feel to the business world right now. Economists and politicians try to explain it. But the fact is people lose their jobs at any time. They have choices - and let’s get real here - for some people they have to be really practical. Earning a regular salary in a job you hate to keep a roof over your head and put food on the table for your family takes priority over a maybe more “adventurous” route.
But - no matter what your circumstances are now - or might be in the future - take some time to think about the real you and what you have to offer.
…and take small steps from there.
2 Responses
Jackie,
Thanks for the kind mention of the post and video.
Also, one can’t underestimate the immediate need to “stay afloat” for some period of time should one become redundant. Everyone needs to eat.
I like your call to take small steps at first. There is a lot of psycho-babble that would have one think that “You Can Be Anything–Now!” Well, you can’t be anything and you certainly need some time to transition.
However, if you hope to live a life where your work is satisfying, be deliberate about it. And looking back probably isn’t the best place to start. Spending time acknowledging and accepting where you are gifted–and not–is time well spent.
Thanks for moving this important conversation ahead. . .
This is very timely Steve. I have been creating an e-hints and tips for new grads with contributions for people at LinkedIn and HR Bloggers. The first draft is with - wait for it - a new grad, and he is going to circulate it amongst his network to get some feedback.
I am wondering if there is scope for similar supportive hints and tips for people who lose their job. So many encouraging stories out there of how people picked themselves up and did exactly what you suggest. What do you think?