This May Be the Perfect Time to Start a Biz If You"ve Been Merged, Purged Or Downsized Out of a Job
As shell-shocked as you are, when you're handed that pink slip it's hard to think about moving on.
Much less what to do next.
Especially when the ink on your pink slip isn't even dry yet.
Risking sounding Pollyannaish, I'll say it anyway.
It could end up being one of the best things that's ever happened to you.
What should you do now? Unfortunately, no one is immune to losing a job in today's unique economy.
Even the best.
And current statistics show few employees staying with a company long term; or even reaching retirement with a company they started out with.
And whether it's planned, you knew in advance you'd be downsized out, you can never plan enough.
First things first.
Before thinking about moving on, it important - for many reasons - including peace of mind, to determine how you'll handle paying bills and other personal situations.
Next apply for any and all available benefits.
Such as unemployment.
Check into available medical and/or insurance benefits available.
Check on the status of your 401k, if you have one.
And any pension plan.
Because once you've at least done that, you can begin to give a thought to how you'll move on.
Next, whether you loved the job, or not, it's important to take a day or two - even a week - to grieve it's loss.
As with all losses, it will take time to emotionally move on.
And while a week isn't near enough, you can take the time to start winding down.
And get ready to move on.
And remember, it's not just the paycheck you've lost.
It's also the the comraderie of friends, and co-workers .
The loss of status it brought.
Or, on the other hand, if you're happy, it's time to dance around and cheer.
Career consultant, Rachel J.
Canter, says " You might discover that you needed to move on from that job but weren't willing to take the step.
Look at getting fired", she says, "as your employer giving you a little push that now allows you to make some drastic changes".
Once personal decisions are made it's time to plan your new future.
Professor Todd Dewett, author of "Leadership Redefined" suggests you take time to assess your experience.
By asking yourself a variety of questions about experience, skills and background, it allows you to think more clearly about available options.
It's likely you have more than you think.
To start: Ask yourself questions like these: What are my technical skills? What type of people skills do I possess? Am I good with details, paperwork or accounting? What type of leadership skills do I possess? Would I be happy working independently, or need to work within a structured group? Then, Dewett says take action.
"The alternative is", he says, "to blame others and stew in negative emotions".
Something you should avoid at all costs.
Believe me when I say you're not alone feeling the way you do.
For me, it was five years ago when an elderly couple, who planned to sell me their building, had a change of mind and decided not to.
Because of it's type, I had nowhere to move my large business.
Nothing was available - even if I downsized.
It was a shock I wasn't sure I'd ever recover from, closing the business I loved.
Not to mention the money I lost.
At the time, everyone said "Look at it as a blessing in disguise".
Easy for you to say, I thought.
Though, eventually, through reassessing my strengths, background, experience and skills, a new direction emerged.
Psychologists say it's often at these life-changing moments people realize it's time to make a dramatic change.
To re-think their lives and do something more challenging or fulfilling.
Something more financially rewarding.
Surprisingly, this is often the time people make the decision to start a business of their own.
And like many others, you probably have the experience and skills which lend themselves to starting up your own business.
Here's a simple Action Plan to help you get a jump start creating a business of your own:
Not to mention allowing you to receive the respect you deserve.
And who knows - like many others, you may end up starting a consulting business.
And consulting the very company who sacked you.
Paid thousands more than you were as a mere employee.
And you've gotta love that! Jean L.
Serio has 35 years experience in business, working for 4 top retail corporations.
In Management and Sales, Training and Development.
She's helped launch and manage 7 multi-million dollar operations, developed and written training and policy manuals, organized and hosted dozens of corporate training functions, and created sales and customer service programs still in use today.
Much less what to do next.
Especially when the ink on your pink slip isn't even dry yet.
Risking sounding Pollyannaish, I'll say it anyway.
It could end up being one of the best things that's ever happened to you.
What should you do now? Unfortunately, no one is immune to losing a job in today's unique economy.
Even the best.
And current statistics show few employees staying with a company long term; or even reaching retirement with a company they started out with.
And whether it's planned, you knew in advance you'd be downsized out, you can never plan enough.
First things first.
Before thinking about moving on, it important - for many reasons - including peace of mind, to determine how you'll handle paying bills and other personal situations.
Next apply for any and all available benefits.
Such as unemployment.
Check into available medical and/or insurance benefits available.
Check on the status of your 401k, if you have one.
And any pension plan.
Because once you've at least done that, you can begin to give a thought to how you'll move on.
Next, whether you loved the job, or not, it's important to take a day or two - even a week - to grieve it's loss.
As with all losses, it will take time to emotionally move on.
And while a week isn't near enough, you can take the time to start winding down.
And get ready to move on.
And remember, it's not just the paycheck you've lost.
It's also the the comraderie of friends, and co-workers .
The loss of status it brought.
Or, on the other hand, if you're happy, it's time to dance around and cheer.
Career consultant, Rachel J.
Canter, says " You might discover that you needed to move on from that job but weren't willing to take the step.
Look at getting fired", she says, "as your employer giving you a little push that now allows you to make some drastic changes".
Once personal decisions are made it's time to plan your new future.
Professor Todd Dewett, author of "Leadership Redefined" suggests you take time to assess your experience.
By asking yourself a variety of questions about experience, skills and background, it allows you to think more clearly about available options.
It's likely you have more than you think.
To start: Ask yourself questions like these: What are my technical skills? What type of people skills do I possess? Am I good with details, paperwork or accounting? What type of leadership skills do I possess? Would I be happy working independently, or need to work within a structured group? Then, Dewett says take action.
"The alternative is", he says, "to blame others and stew in negative emotions".
Something you should avoid at all costs.
Believe me when I say you're not alone feeling the way you do.
For me, it was five years ago when an elderly couple, who planned to sell me their building, had a change of mind and decided not to.
Because of it's type, I had nowhere to move my large business.
Nothing was available - even if I downsized.
It was a shock I wasn't sure I'd ever recover from, closing the business I loved.
Not to mention the money I lost.
At the time, everyone said "Look at it as a blessing in disguise".
Easy for you to say, I thought.
Though, eventually, through reassessing my strengths, background, experience and skills, a new direction emerged.
Psychologists say it's often at these life-changing moments people realize it's time to make a dramatic change.
To re-think their lives and do something more challenging or fulfilling.
Something more financially rewarding.
Surprisingly, this is often the time people make the decision to start a business of their own.
And like many others, you probably have the experience and skills which lend themselves to starting up your own business.
Here's a simple Action Plan to help you get a jump start creating a business of your own:
- Determine where your strengths lie?
- What type of biz can you start using your skills and experience.
- Update, upgrade or expand your skills.
- Do some research.
Explore your options.
Talk to other biz owners.
- Make a commitment to take action on the option which best fits.
Not to mention allowing you to receive the respect you deserve.
And who knows - like many others, you may end up starting a consulting business.
And consulting the very company who sacked you.
Paid thousands more than you were as a mere employee.
And you've gotta love that! Jean L.
Serio has 35 years experience in business, working for 4 top retail corporations.
In Management and Sales, Training and Development.
She's helped launch and manage 7 multi-million dollar operations, developed and written training and policy manuals, organized and hosted dozens of corporate training functions, and created sales and customer service programs still in use today.
Source...