8 Reasons to Never Fear a Layoff

(60-sec. read)

As a corporate veteran, I've experienced the reorgs., layoffs, M&As, and the associated anxiety rollercoasters.

Now an entrepreneur, I've learned to let go of fear and to take risks I had never imagined.

Of course layoffs are traumatic and riddled with financial and life concerns, but we always have a choice in how to react and move forward.

So for you, my colleagues and friends who have experienced a setback or may in the future, here are proven reasons to be confident and less fearful.

8 Reasons to be Fearless!

A layoff means you're still alive vs. a life-threatening event such as Ebola.

We're born with God-given talents and have resiliency.

• Use your creativity to approach the job shifts. We solve problems every day in our jobs, so how is this different? Think Joan Rivers, Nelson Mandela, Hurricane Sandy survivors, and millions more.

Career decision making is like parenting.

• You follow your instincts with no guarantees of success and hope everything turns out okay.

YOU are still you!

• No one or no thing can take away your talents, experiences, and insights, so go out and share them with those in need.

There IS no corporate safety net.

• You, your talents, your friends and family ARE the safety net. Jettison the negative, toxic people in your life, pronto!

Moving to your next step is a process - forge ahead!

Inertia breeds panic!

Panic will get you nowhere, fast.

• Always think, what CAN I do vs. what may lie ahead.
• To paraphrase the Dalai Lama:

"If a problem can be solved, there's no need to worry. If a problem cannot be solved, worrying will do nothing to help solve it."

Lastly, just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, you have the wherewithal to metaphorically click your heels together and get to your intended place.

You're in charge of your destiny - feel the empowerment!

Follow these fear-alleviating steps, and I guarantee you'll find confidence, giddiness, and success! I've been there. Done it. They work.

Thanks for reading us today!

Have you found other ways to recover from a setback? Let us know what's worked for you by jotting it in the Comments section below.

Tom Sommers, principal, Explorations and Insights, VP membership of IABC/DC Metro, and a DC-based blogger, communication, and marketing-research advisor and instructor with Fortune 500-to-startup successes.

Follow today on: LinkedIn by pressing the yellow button in the right-top corner; or on Twitter @tomsommers1; or visit at www.explorationsandinsights.com.

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February 24, 2009

Tree Branch Swing

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