We’ve seen the Great Recession of 2008 come and go where
thousands found themselves faced with the hard facts and questions regarding
their own job security and skills as layoffs loomed overhead. Fast forward to 2015, while the economy has
stabilized for some, others may still be reeling from layoffs, still struggling
to gain footing after a forced career change, decrease in income, or trying
their hand at entrepreneurship. In
either cases, the one thing was imminent and set the pace for everything in your
life to follow: Change.
Having found myself on the receiving end of a layoff in 2012,
when I say that change can be stressful, others may say it is quite the
understatement. So what do you do? How do you bounce back?
What I’ve shared and taught others since that time and with
my own career detour (detour is the word I like to use when speaking of my own
career) is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and sometimes the
unforeseen blessing of being able to “start again.” I know, I know. When you’re faced with the reality of layoff,
how can one possibly see light, let alone imagine the good behind it. And to that I say – but, you must.
You must – find yourself, discover your interests, ask
yourself “if I could do it all over, I would_______”… Is this the time to change your outlook? Could you possibly, just maybe, be your own
boss? Has going back to school felt like
a dream deferred? This is the light – the “aha!” you’ve been waiting for. During this downtime – or detour – explore
your dreams, even between job searches.
The change you need could just be behind the leap you take next.
