What do you do if you're laid off and need to maintain a positive mindset?

First off, bear in mind that a layoff doesn't define your career! Accept that no matter how well you've performed, some professional outcomes are simply beyond your control. Important: regroup with gratitude! Keep in mind all the great experiences you've had and the people you've met throughout life's journeys. Have you realized that your life was falling out of balance? If you can take a little time, reconnect with the people who are important to you and relationships that may have been neglected while you were occupied in your most recent role(s). Practice self care while you heal from the layoff, clear your mind and re-focus on building your future. You can do this!

In my experience: a. A healthy spirituality is a great safety net for the heart & mind. It helps you engage the unexpected by invoking hope. It gives a transcendent understanding to an otherwise hard event. A constructive spirituality will affirm that though things are messed up, it is all in the scheme of life's things and all will soon align. Some spiritual teachings target specifically such moments. They guide on how to engage divine help which comes in handy in the face of human frailty. b. A network of friends you can vent to is a great asset. Such friends are always ready to hear your good & bad shock moments. They'll not pass judgement - but will listen and calmly help you practically think through the matter in a solutionist way.

There is no better way to keep a good attitude than serving others. Buy a coffee for a random person, talk to people, solve problems, and share your skills. Soon you're networking without even trying and jobs will find you.

One of the key to maintaining positive mindset is to make yourself realize that "failure is not the opposite of success, rather it is part of success". Reflect on what you have learnt so far in your career and how you contributed positively to the progress of the organization. "Focus on the positives" is only possible if you are learning new things and side by side work towards exploring new job opportunities.

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Attitude is key. Consider it as an opportunity for exploring new ventures. Sometimes when we are reluctant to make changes situation forces us to explore the unknown. Having a positive attitude “Best is yet to come”.

Make a list of things you want to do, personal and professional. The night before choose something off you list and commit to doing that the next day. It’s important to get out of the house, maybe volunteer, because you can’t spend all day job hunting. Most of all, be kind to yourself; it’s hard having been made redundant.

Understanding your personal runway is important as it helps you plan the next course of action. It determines whether you can start pursuing another dream that you have always wanted to but never had the time for, whether you need to adjust your lifestyle, or whether you may need to quickly get a part time job to pay off dues. There is no standard answer to this but take it as an opportunity to work on something different and hopefully more exciting for your next journey.

Para ofrecer mi opinión en este aspecto, considero crucial contar con un autodiagnóstico realista de nuestra situación: determinar cuánto tiempo podemos permitirnos estar sin empleo, identificar en qué realmente deseamos enfocarnos y si es necesario adquirir nuevas habilidades para abordar diferentes tipos de oportunidades. Esta evaluación debe ser sincera y realista para poder sobrevivir mientras buscamos una nueva oportunidad. Es esencial no solo mirar nuestras finanzas y habilidades actuales, sino también entender nuestras ambiciones y los posibles caminos a seguir para alcanzarlas, manteniendo siempre una actitud proactiva y abierta al aprendizaje y al cambio.

Create your own 'highlight reel.' Take time to sit and make a list of your accomplishments so you can share them with a future employer. Do it now at your current position and keep a running list. Helps a lot when you need to reference your skills in a screener or interview.

I have a 5-5-5 framework for when someone gets laid off, or is pivoting their career or sector. Pick up a pen and paper, (no smartphones to avoid distractions) and start this exercise. 1. Write down the names of 5 people who you're going to call. These can be mentors, mentees, friends, ex-colleagues, and well-wishers. These folks can be your sounding board. 2. Write down your top 5 marketable skills. This will help you map the next step well. 3. Write down your top 5 potential next plays. Be as specific or as vague as you want to be. These can be names of companies, startups or even sectors that you'd like to explore as your next play. Feel free to reverse the order and start with macro and go into micro. All the best. you got this.

At what ever stage of career you maybe in , layoffs are generally not easy. In order to stay positive here are some recommendations 1. Look for a side hustle . Let’s be honest, more than just a monetary impact layoff can impact moral and one’s ego. Having a side hustle keeps one moral and ego positively charged. Since you know you are contributing to something positive even if the side hustle is a very small endeavour, it will help you keep going. 2. Use the time to upgrade skills. With the number of online options now available one doesn’t have to look too far. 3. Pick up that hobby you were not able to pursue earlier because of your job’s commitment. 4. Remember… this is a phase …. Like good times … this too shall pass!

Take stock of your experience and you'll surprise yourself of what you have accomplished so far in your career. Use this to update your resume and online presence. Expand your knowledge base through classes or work on a project you have been putting off and use that as a springboard to your next role.

I second Joe Frankie III advice he was my mentor and LinkedIn coach when I faced that. We rebuilt my Linkedin Profile, went back to Vanderbilt University and finished a graduate degree - then openly networked with people looking for my skillset and pedigree. Also don't forget to work on a budget eliminating wasteful spending, that will help alot.

You need to have an updated resume at hand. My recommendation is to constantly keep your resume fresh with the various accomplishments and achievements. It is much simpler to update a resume with a bunch of notes than having to remembers all of your accomplishments over the last year(s). Another recommendation is to create a Networking Resume that you can share with your contacts. It takes away the pressure of your network to find you the next job where they can just forward this Networking Documents to their extended network.

Acknowledge that this happened--it won't be the first or the last. The most important thing in your equation is you--this is all you control and have dominion over. Hopefully, you have kept up your online presence and resume over time. If not, report to yourself and make a list of what you need to do and do it. If you need, help get help! ( I am a LinkedIn coach and I get help). Others can help with a 360 view while, we at best have a 180 degree view. Time is of the essence. The longer you are in-between opportunities, the more challenging it becomes over time. Find all your mentors and get their assistance and activate all your networks in a smart, prudent, respectful manner. People want to help, let them know how. Smile.

Building relationships by offering value that you can provide rather than merely asking for help and favors can be more effective. Actively talking to different people can help you refine your personal brand and unique selling proposition. Don’t appear as a victim to seek empathy; instead, emerge as a professional who can provide value.

The two best things: 1. Always be networking and building relationships prior to being laid off. You need a network to rely upon. There are too many layoffs, downsizing and restructuring to not be ready. 2. When it happens, build your list of actions. Confidence comes from action. And don’t let yourself get discouraged. In 1982 I had 454 rejection letters as I left college in the recession. I kept applying and building relationships. I weighed my options and made the best decision. There are always options. There are always more than one option. Make the best decision given your situation. Stay out of your head. It’s easy to get into criticism, but know you have value and just have to find the right position.

First and foremost is not to lose the cool and react adversely to the situation. We need to remember that every tunnel has light at the other end. You should take it as an oppurtunity to explore better avenues in the corporate world. May be some complacence may have set in your life and this situation may again incite the fire in your belly. keep apositive thought of mind and rework on your networks for a better oppurtunity.

Self care should come first and foremost, then acknowledge the reality that you've been laid off. Your drive and ambition should not allow you to feel self pity, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and seek other opportunities ✨️ Know your worth

Upgrade your skills and never leave your mind idle. Perseverance and a positive mindset are critical success factors! Your loved ones' encouragement is your energy booster.

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Mentor is key in bad times. By design of life, mentor comes to you. You don’t have to go in search. But for that you must publish your bad times. Help also comes in parallel. As money, offers, new avenues, new business, etc. Get new perspectives. Travel by public transport, eat in local shops. Wear common dress. Sleep in lodges. Do social work as a sabaticcal. For those with religious beliefs, pray and do pujas. Standard professional networks do not help in bad times. Helping someone in bad times is just personal or spiritual not professional because it can tamper with business.

Run thought your contacts on your phone. Run through your connections. Visit your memories, try to find who are those people who have advised you in the past. Remember a lot of times the best advise is recieved from the least probable source. Try to touch base with each and everyone you have looked up to in your life. You can learn everything in this world, but when it comes to Experience, you cannot learn it. Experience has to be taught either by life/time or by people who have been taught by life/time.

Approach Potential Mentors Directly: If there's a professional whose career path or expertise you admire, don't hesitate to reach out to them directly and request mentorship. Craft a personalized message explaining why you admire their work and how you believe their guidance could benefit you.

When I was laid off, once a week I would get in my car and take a short day trip - whether it was to a local park to take a long walk, go to a town I'd never visited, or just drive for a bit. It got me out of my home office and away from the cover letter/resume writing and job application hamster wheel that I was on. Being unemployed weighed heavy, so the time away renewed me to keep on going.

Being laid off can create financial challenges for most. However, if you have the means to do so, I highly recommend engaging in ACT therapy or group therapy to make sure you are prioritizing your mental health. Finances, jobs, etc. affect every aspect of your life because it is your livelihood. What you are feeling is heavy and may ripple in to other parts of your life. The more resilient you are mentally, the better off you will be in finding your next role and being present for your family.

When I experienced a layoff, my mentor asked me to make a list of all the ways my job made me better. Then he asked me to make a list of how my boss, who did the layoff, made me better. This little exercise helped me to focus on positives and move on from the anger that comes naturally. It also helped me appreciate the new job even more because I continue to see positives. Most important is to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. A layoff is very traumatic. You need to treat it that way and take good care of yourself so you can heal.

Basándome en mi experiencia, considero que todo lo que ocurre en nuestra vida tiene una razón de ser y es importante estar agradecidos por lo que cada oportunidad y situación nos brinda, aunque a veces no lo comprendamos de inmediato. Con el tiempo, solemos entender el porqué detrás de estos eventos. En momentos como estos, el autocuidado es esencial; debería empezar en nuestro entorno laboral, asegurándonos de dedicar tiempo tanto a nosotros mismos como a nuestra familia, y no solamente al trabajo. Esto es vital para manejar el estrés, y mantener nuestra salud mental y emocional en equilibrio. Mantener una actitud de gratitud y practicar el autocuidado son pilares fundamentales que debemos sostener a lo largo de nuestra vida.

Regardless of the challenges and situation, we all have plenty to be grateful for. Even in the most dire of circumstances we can identify something to be the anchor upon which a comeback can be built.

I can only add two things which I hope might be of use. I have never been laid off, but I have had to lay people off. I have watched how they reacted. 1. Make sure you know *why* you were laid off. If it was unavoidable due to a recession, or big corporate strategy changes, and you feel your manager and others are gutted they have to let you go, don't take it even remotely personally. If however, you suspect it was something you did or didn't do, find out. Don't rest until you know what you might need to work on. Then work on it. 2. Take the entire experience as a multifaceted life experience. Rest. Reflect. Refocus. Recalibrate life plans. Return, before too long. RRRRR. In other words, after RRRR, get back on your bike (the 5th R).

While it’s essential to acknowledge your feelings, dwelling on the past won’t change the situation. Redirect your energy toward planning your next steps. Consider this as an opportunity for growth and reinvention. Prioritize self-care during this transition. Exercise, meditate, and maintain a healthy routine. Reach out to friends, family, or a professional counselor if you need emotional support.

When you are laid off, you also need to be practical and honest with yourself, do a self assessment test and ask yourself 1. What were my weaknesses and areas of growth 2. What will I do different if I get another job. 3. Was that the right job for my skillset 4. What did I enjoy or dislike about the job 5. How can I improve my value in any organization. Working on yourself gives you something to look forward to when you get another job. Once you stop improving you start to slide in to a not good place.

This too is a transient phase in one’s life ; as much as a sudden lay off can be very traumatic it is also a time to objectively assess what you could do to improve your skill sets , keep your emotions aside , learn new skills and emerge as a stronger candidate !! Staying positive at this stage is the challenge and key to progress .. Networking, being socially connected, being physically fit, meditating to be in a tranquil state would be very helpful indeed..

Being in this situation can be very traumatic for some and as advised above acknowledging your emotions and feelings is important. Taking the time to process this before you start looking again is equally important because you need to be free of past shackles to see future possibilities. Many new businesses and entrepreneurs started as a result of the time to accept and let go of the past. If you have the option and availability to take a course or improve your skills, then that certainly can help from a personal and professional growth perspective and keep you focused on something new as you seek something new. All is easier said and done but it has to be something we are open to both physically and mentally.