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As the recession bites, many people see both a challenge and an opportunity in the prospect of redundancy. Perhaps it’s a chance to start that business you dream of? Or maybe it’s the catalyst you need to find the job you always wanted but were afraid to move for? It’s great to look for the positives, but beware some of the trip hazards associated with redundancy. How will you feel, and how can you make sure you keep your balance if it happens to you

 

 

Even though they may be one of thousands, many people experience redundancy as a kind of bereavement. Shock is followed by denial. Anger and guilt mingle as the individual wonders whether they could have prevented their job loss if they had done something different. After they leave their workplace for the last time, the demise of the morning routine, the drastic cut in income, and the felt indignity of signing on can all take their toll on self-esteem and confidence.

Whether you set off on your own or look for a new job, your level of confidence and self-esteem will directly affect the way you feel about your plans or your job search, and how you come across to potential employers.

If your job is redundant, how can you get yourself back on track emotionally, mentally and spiritually? What can you do to minimise the personal loss of confidence and lowered self-esteem stemming from redundancy?

Start by creating a vision of what you want for the future, how you want to feel and how you will be. This is potentially uplifting, and puts you back in charge. Be creative and notice how you feel afterwards. Keep revising it as you go along.

This step is potentially a very uplifting one. Not only are you building a strong vision of your own future, you’re also getting back in touch with your creative energy. This is the energy that keeps children endlessly inquisitive and inventive. It is light-hearted and allows the possibility of fun. It’s also the energy you bring to work when you are playing to your strengths, and doing what comes easily to you and which others admire.

Get clear about how you are affected. What is your body telling you? How are you sleeping? What is your attitude to yourself and to those around you, at work and at home? Understanding allows you to make choices.

Now take time to remember who you are. What are your greatest strengths? What do you most value? What are you proud of? What will you never compromise? Remember how it feels to be using your strengths, living your values and being proud of what you do. That feeling will help you maintain your self-esteem.

When you look at your strengths, successes, achievements and joys then you are defining what you are proud of, and what gives you real self-confidence. A former client of mine initially found it hard to name one thing she was proud of. However, she persevered, and found some real insights into her own uniqueness that changed how she saw herself.

Now think what you might do to be ready for a similar situation. What have you learned about yourself? What would you do differently? Please don’t do this step until you have done the first three – you need to feel balanced first.

If you want to stay on track, you’ll need to use this knowledge to give yourself a good chance of not repeating the pain. I’ve certainly found that life has a way of sending me the same challenges until I get the message. So what do you need to learn from this episode in your life?

Laura, a contributor to Getting Back on Track says, “Be true to yourself...There is always another life, other things to do and other places to take your skills. There’s a time and a place where you are the best fit … but that can change so be aware of it and consider how to manage it.”

Take all the practical help you are offered. Find personal support to keep you positive. When you are travelling, you’ll decide who is going with you, book tickets and accommodation, make sure your passport and inoculations are up to date and get your visa if you need one. You might buy maps and guide books. You might also talk to other people who have visited your destination and take their experience on board too. Eventually, you will pack your bags and set out. You can think of moving on in the same way, and with a sense of self-confidence.

So use your thinking to help you work out where you want to go. Ask yourself who can help you. Update your CV if you need to. Assess whether you want or need to learn new skills. Do you want to take time out first?

Listen to your intuition. It will help you decide whether an opportunity is right for you or not. Intuition is worth developing, and we all potentially have access to it. By all means do your due diligence on any new opportunity you have. Then set it aside and listen to your gut.

From the foundations you’ve laid down, choose to believe that you can succeed, set out with a clear intention about where you’re going, and watch out for the myriad small clues and coincidences that begin to happen. Stay positive, keep out of your own way, and allow things to unfold.

Finally, look after yourself with a balance of exercise, eating properly and getting enough sleep. See your GP if you have any health concerns. Put your health and wellbeing at the top of your list, to make sure that you’re fit and ready for opportunities when they arise.

Redundancy is painful, but it doesn’t have to lead downhill.

Ann Lewis
June 2009

Email: ann@annlewiscoaching.com
Tel: 023 8031 2657
Mobile : 07885 291410
Website: www.annlewiscoaching.com