What do you do if you're facing self-doubt and negativity after a layoff?

Almost 20 years ago, I got laid off from a senior leadership position. I thought I'd excelled at the job, I'd hired a great team and I had the highest engagement scores in IT, but I wasn't so good at the politics. The company was generous and paid me severance and a full bonus, but it still stung. I blamed the company, I blamed my short comings, I was a mess. It took me a year to recover. I took up meditation, set up regular meetings with a therapist, and after a few months, took a contract position as a program manager. Everything helped but getting back into a leadership position was probably the thing that helped the most. I ended up going back to the company 10 years later as a contractor making twice what I made as an employee.

A few things I found helpful is: -Surround yourself with positive motivators -Create a vision board for the long game to keep you grounded with the short-term decisions you have to make towards it -Create a system or find one that keeps you focused and stay active in your pursuit of job searching (take action and check that box of completing something because it does feel good. ) -Be open to different. How you approach your job search or the job role may be what you need now while it aligns with your long-term vision. -Remove expectations of perfect. It will only get in your head and self-sabotage.

Experiencing self-doubt and negativity after a layoff is a normal reaction, and it's okay to ask for help and support when needed. Taking proactive steps to care for yourself and cultivate resilience allows you to navigate this challenging time with strength and determination. Facing rejection or setbacks can ultimately lead to positive outcomes if one perseveres and learns from their experiences.

There’s a difference between layoff and dismissal, and I’m not sure which one we are talking about here as the answers are mixed so far. But just to clear it up - layoff is a statutory entitlement with pay and lots of rules and occurs when the business runs into financial trouble and closes the doors for short period of time. Dismissal can happen informally under two years employment or formally over two years of employment . The former can be very sudden and can be devastating to you if you didn’t expect it. It’s happened to all of us, its happened to me, & it rocked my world. If you’re feeling this way right now, I urge you to read the advice here to help you cope and deal with the feelings of loss. It’s a process, apply a strategy.

Surround yourself with supportive friends, family members, or even professional counselors who can offer encouragement and perspective. Having someone to talk to can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide valuable insights.

We all need to accept Layoff is not the end of Life...Its like you are driving a car and suddenly you saw car crossed a lane and hit your car and you got accident. Now what we do we call insurance, call loved one and try to handle situation. This can happen any time..So accident cant be manage alone...Same when you face lay off you need to approach your peer group to express you feeling and get support. But we all need to plan this unplanned...things...which can help to manage this situation better

Seeking support from trusted individuals or networks is crucial when dealing with self-doubt and negativity after a layoff. Reach out to family, friends, or a therapist who can offer emotional support and guidance. Consider joining a support group or online community where you can connect with others who have experienced similar situations. Sharing your story and hearing the experiences of others can help you feel less isolated and more supported. Additionally, seek advice from a career coach or mentor who can provide valuable insights and strategies for your professional growth.

Don't be afraid to reach out for help. Talk to friends, family, or a career counselor. There are also online communities and support groups for people who have been laid off.

Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness it's a strength, so reach out. I recommend a coach who can help you move forward and gain clarity.

This is the perfect time to deepen your self-awareness and shore up your curiosity. Walk yourself through a simple evaluation of what's working, what isn't working as well as you'd like and what would you do differently knowing what you now know. In addition, look at your career from the lens of your behavioral strengths - what makes you tick as a person. This means paying attention to what's enjoyable and energizing about what you do because that's a clue as to the job functions that are aligned with your behavioral strengths. By doing this you'll not only carve a path forward, you'll be rebuilding your confidence and certainty about the value you bring to a role and organization.

Reflect honestly. What does that look like? One thing to do is dust off that resume and really give it a good look. Take out the outdated content and replace it with new projects you've worked on. Write down everything you did are your 'old' job and ask yourself, "Is this a skill I should be presenting on my resume?" I think you'll discover a lot of skills you might not have thought of, without writing them down. Oh, ask others, also. Ask them what you do best. Their answers may be just what you need to freshen up that resume and get out there as the positive, knowledgeable, and experienced person you are.

Take time to reflect honestly on your feelings, actions, and goals after a layoff. Identify any negative self-talk or limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. Ask yourself questions like: "What am I grateful for?" "What can I control in this situation?" "What skills do I need to develop or improve?" "What are my long-term goals, and how can I align my actions with them?" Honest reflection helps you identify areas for growth, acknowledge your strengths, and develop a more positive mindset.

Introspection is a great tool. Assess your career trajectory, achievements, and aspirations. Reflect on your passions and skills, ensuring they align with market needs. Seek feedback for valuable insights and embrace opportunities for growth. By confronting self-doubt with honesty and openness, you pave the way for personal and professional advancement, emerging stronger and more resilient. By embarking on this journey of self-discovery and reflection, you confront your self-doubt and cultivate a deeper understanding of your unique talents, passions, and aspirations. Armed with this newfound clarity and self-awareness, you can chart a course toward a more fulfilling and purpose-driven career path.

Make a list of your skills, experiences, and past achievements. This will help you recognize your value and boost your confidence.

Identify your strengths and passion, then focus on where they intersect. Don't wait for a job to find you. Develop a goal of the ideal you, then build a roadmap of how to get there. If you are a knowledge person, create your own brand as a subject matter expert capable of delivering solutions to challenging issues. Turn the spotlight on you. Build a pipeline of demand providing valued services, as a thought leader, or trusted source. How do you build a brand? ? Write and speak within your skillset. You will stand out as few others are doing it. ? Find a platform – LinkedIn is a good start. ? Find your audience and create enough content that draws them in. ? Offer guidance but don’t oversell. ? Be confident and stay positive!

Layoff can be an opportunity for a fresh start to explore new career paths. Reviewing our strengths not only reminds the value we add but also boosts the confidence. During the journey of job search - small victories should be celebrated. Like updating the resume, doing well in an interview or connecting to a potential employer.

Staying positive in a transition phase can be hard, in particular when applications get rejected without any feedback and you don't know what do improve. In this case, short-term, I would propose to share your thoughts and feelings either with good friends or as a coach for support. Long-term I would try to outline a plan: a) where I want to go? Goal b) doing a SWOT analysis - what strengths do I have? - what opportunities can I see? - what weakness (down side) may have this goal? - what threat may occur? c) try to find steps to move the identified roadblocks piece by piece and not all at once. d) start doing the steps.

Create a plan, give yourself time to digest what has happened, to define your next move, create the assets (a solid resume & cover letter), and target organizations where you can be your authentic self.

Embrace learning and personal growth to overcome self-doubt and negativity after a layoff. Invest in courses, workshops, or certifications that enhance your skills and knowledge. Explore new industries, roles, or entrepreneurial ventures that align with your passions and strengths. Read books, articles, and blogs that inspire and motivate you. Learning new things helps you regain confidence, builds resilience, and opens up new opportunities.

Never stop learning and embrace a mindset of lifelong learning. This "extra" time is a great opportunity to do that course or get that certification you've been putting off ... or if you're up to date on your learning ToDo list then why not try something else.

In addition to "staying positive", I think it is important to trust your skillset and not let imposter syndrome kick in. You were good enough to get the job you were laid off from and if it is a true layoff, it isn't about you, it is about your position, so trust that you have good skills and go out and find your next opportunity. Taking that exact same thing into work every day if you were not impacted is also important. You got where you are for a reason, but know that you have the skills to do what you do anywhere, so don't live in fear.

Emotions should be vented out. Anger or frustration should be won over by engaging with a trusted friend or a family member or even a support group. Attending to these emotions is not only healthy but also prevents spoiling from within. Taking care physically and mentally helps fight stress and maintain positive outlook.

I have found maintaining a consistent routine to be one of the most helpful strategies to maintain positivity. It is easier to stay positive if you have a routine that allows you to eat and sleep well and get regular exercise.

Maintain a positive attitude and mindset, even in the face of challenges, to overcome self-doubt and negativity after a layoff. Focus on the good things in your life, no matter how small they may seem. Practice gratitude, meditation, or mindfulness to calm your mind and cultivate positivity. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and acknowledge your progress. Surround yourself with positive influences, and avoid negative self-talk or toxic environments. Staying positive helps you stay motivated and open to new opportunities.

One thing that might be a little unconventional but healing is to perform a grieving ritual with your close friends. Maybe even injecting some humor into it - a Seinfeld “festivus “ where you and your people get to complain about all the things that annoyed you there. You can say all the things you want to say, celebrating the new freedom and release that comes with it in a more uplifting and positive way. Ask your friends to throw their own grievances in and it’s a real festivus.

During moments of self-doubt and negativity, remember that time is on your side, and this challenging phase will eventually pass. Approach this period with calmness, self-compassion, and kindness towards yourself. Practice self-care, seek support from loved ones or professionals if needed, and trust that with patience and resilience, you can navigate through this delicate time and emerge stronger on the other side.

Consider consulting or becoming an entrepreneur. What talents do you have that could lend themselves to you creating your own DBA (Doing Business As)? Even if you don't do this as a full-time gig, or you only want to do it for a while...until that dream job shows up...that's fine. This keeps you active and productive. And you'll be able to promote yourself better as an entrepreneur looking to be part of a team, if you decide to go back to the job market.

Watch out for those who will prey on your misfortune. You will be targeted by "offers" to help you out or to "explore" alternative paths forward. Exhaust the resources available to you first, make sure you don't get sucked into spending money on services you don't need or time on get-rich-quick schemes. In the end these will only create more pressure to find the next opportunity.