What do you do if you're laid off and want to use it as a chance for personal and professional growth?

Here are some steps: Reflect and Assess: Take some time to reflect on your career goals and what you want to achieve in the future. Assess your skills, subject matter expertise, and interests. Set Goals: Define clear, achievable goals for your personal growth. Create a Plan: Develop a structured plan to achieve your goals. Break down your plan into smaller tasks and set deadlines. Skill Development: Use this time to enhance your skills. Get funds from Dislocated Workers. Networking: Connect with professionals in your industry. Explore New Opportunities: Be open to exploring new career opportunities. Take Care of Yourself: Focus on your well-being during this time. Stay Positive : Stay motivated, and stay persistent. It will be ok.

After a devastating job loss at Optum about six years ago, I made a list of the things that I wanted to do when I retired, and I started to work on them while in transition. It was one of the best things I ever did!

I couldn't agree more. When my job was moved overseas without me, I took the next few months to reflect on the type of work that truly motivated me, the work environment that I wanted to be a part of, and what I was was looking for from the team and leaders I wanted to build and collaborate with. During this time I also invested in my personal and professional development, returning to school to complete by MBA, and joining a non-profit as a Board Member. This time allowed me to recharge my batteries, align on things that I felt passionate about, and reconnect with my family and friends (who had been a casualty of a busy work schedule).

While unexpected layoffs are tough, they can be a catalyst for growth. The extra time allows for reevaluation of skills and career goals. My network of professionals and entrepreneurs would be invaluable for guidance and support, both emotional and professional. LinkedIn would be my starting point to explore new opportunities and strengthen my skillset. Maintaining a positive and focused mindset is key to navigating this challenge.

If you're laid off and aim to use it as an opportunity for personal and professional growth: Reflect and Assess: Take time to reflect on your career goals, strengths, and areas for development. Assess the skills and experiences you've gained and identify areas you'd like to improve further. Set Clear Goals: Establish clear, actionable goals for your personal and professional growth. Whether it's acquiring new skills, pursuing further education, or exploring new career paths, setting specific objectives will help guide your efforts. Invest in Learning: Take advantage of this time to invest in learning and development opportunities. Enroll in online courses, attend workshops and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support.

Being laid off forces you to occupy the time you would have otherwise spent at work. This creates a unique opportunity to tackle two things at once: exploring new roles and self development, and there are several ways to accomplish both. Examples include: 1. Attend industry conferences 2. Enroll in a relevant learning program 3. Join an industry club or association 4. Start-up a part-time consulting business Many of these things will enhance your own professional development while keeping you in the flow of new opportunities.

Instead of focusing on who wants to hire you for your skill set, do a 180 and focus on what type of job you want. What would make you happy and enthusiastic about your work? What parts of your job are you best at? Often what you are best at also makes you happy. It is difficult to be good or great at your job without being enthusiastic about the job. Once you know what you really want to do, attack your job search in that industry/position with enthusiasm.

Bring laid off can be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes we need to be kicked out of our comfort zones to take different actions and get a different outcome. This is a fantastic time to really evaluate your options - do you want your continue in this line; would you like to explore entrepreneurship? I’ve seen so many closet coaches and closet writers struggling in their jobs… because you work best when your passion is aligned to what you get paid for. When the fall back option no longer exists, you begin to really live your life purpose.

Depending on the country you are living in you have different options as someone who will soon lose a job (or has lost one). Often Employment Agencies offer free or cheaper education and job-seeking opportunities so be sure to inform yourself of your options to upskill. To do this most efficiently ask yourself: 1. Do I want to seek a similar or a different job to my last one? 2. What skills do I excel at and how can I use them to provide value to the next employer? 3. What do I value and what employment options on the market can help me live them? You see - losing a job can be a great opportunity to reinvent and/or realign yourself. While it is not desired, there is a silver lining in it and we can use it for our advantage.

If you are a manager/ director, for sure you have been evaluating your capabilities in case of a company reorganization. Based on this, be sure there are lot of opportunities out of your company. Your dedication, commitment and other additional capabilities, have been used, as a funnel, for the company you are working for. You had no time to evaluate the external environment and its opportunities, for you to develop. Relax, Take a time to look around and make a accurate decision. Good luck!

It's an opportunity to set goals with a clean slate - creating goals that align to what you truly want out of life, the life you want to live, the person you want to become. You can make these decisions without feeling tired down by your current role, and dare to be different.

Being laid off might feel like the end of the world in the moment, but it could turn into the best thing that happened to you. Now that you can do anything you want, it is time to set your goals. What is your why, your mission and your vision? What is your ultimate goal, with smaller goals on the road? While you won't always be motivated, you need determination and perseverance to keep going!

Here's a little plan of action: 1. **Take a Moment**: First, give yourself a breather. 2. **Self-Assessment**: Reflect on what you really want from your career. 3. **Skill Up**: Look into courses or workshops that can help you level up or learn new skills. 4. **Network**: Connect with former colleagues, join professional groups, and get your name on their. 5. **Update Your Resume**: Make sure your resume and LinkedIn are shiny and updated with all your latest achievements. 6. **Consider a Side Hustle**: Got a passion or a hobby that could be monetized? Now might be the time to explore that. 7. **Stay Positive**: Easier said than done, but a positive mindset will help you through interviews and in making a good impression.

A daily journalling practice can help as a space to let out any negativity or stress you're feeling about the situation, so that at other times you can focus on what actions you need to take and taking them. Giving yourself a healthy outlet like that can be something that provides a safe space to express your fears and worries. Just getting them out can be helpful enough, and then looking over them can also help you identify any areas you're catastrophising.

Taking care of yourself in any situation is important, but especially when being laid off. Some ways I like to take care of myself are to go for walks, move my body with yoga, journal, get enough sleep and surround myself with positive people. Take the time to discover what works for you!

What I did the last time I was laid off was to accept the situation, accept myself in that and not blame myself for what happened. For so many years I was the first to blame me for exterior circumstances. At one point I said ok, I accept this and acknowledge that I did my best and moved on. Such a powerfull and different way of moving on. On top of that it’s very important to have something to ground yourself in, especially in this kind of time. Something like training in the gym multiple times a week, yoga or/and meditation.

Take care of yourself: Being laid off can be emotionally draining. Make sure you take care of your mental and physical health by exercising, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.

Particularly in tough times, if you want to go far, go together. Having mentors, coaches, and confidents who you can provide you the proper combination of tough love and tenderness will help you raise your game. They likely will also show you what you have been blind to, allowing you to addressing weaknesses or exploring new areas of opportunity that are now available to you as you have the freedom to choose.

This is an opportunity to reflect on your work experience, sharpen your skills and determine your goals moving forward. Building your network is essential. 1. Connecting with former colleagues, bosses, or family/friends who can provide you with opportunities to volunteer, freelance or shadow in the work you are seeking. 2. Attend professional conferences to build knowledge, skills and understanding to meet the needs of the current market. You can also make connects there too. 3. Stay positive and ready. Know your elevator speech about your experiences and goals so when you are approached by potential employers you will leave a positive lasting impression. 4. Create an online platform to market yourself and reach a wider audience.

As with anything, feedback and advice from others can truly help you go further. If you are part of a larger layoff, your colleagues and you could help each other by doing a feedback review, writing recommendations on LinkedIn and networking together. Find the right people that inspire you and can help you go further in this difficult time.

Expand your network: Networking can be invaluable when looking for a new job. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, or reach out to your former colleagues and contacts to let them know you're looking for new opportunities.

Embrace change with open arms. Step out of your comfort zone will help you be resilient. Take up new skills. Start a new hobby. Make new friends and network.

Flexibility and willingness to adapt will get you through hard times. Even when things aren't ideal, it's possible for you to learn and grow from them. In fact your biggest leaps in growth often come from making it through your darkest days.

Firstly, we need to appreciate the spiritual fact that "Everything happens for a reason". Secondly, as a part of financial planning, one should have liquid assets equivalent to six months of household expenditure, at any point in time. If these two things are addressed, then the lay-off period would seem like a sabbatical given by God (Gratitude indeed!). Utilize this sabbatical on the following: 1. Sharpening the axe 2. Self-reflection 3. Learning new skills You are bound to come-back in a stronger way!

When I was laid off, I decided to see it as a vacation from the 9-to-5 grind. First, I took a breath, then, I crafted a game plan: (1) Skill Inventory: I listed my skills, identifying the MVPs. (2) I embraced the role of a student again, diving into online courses and workshops. LinkedIn Learning and Coursera became my new best friends, helping me buff up my resume with shiny new skills. (3) I reached out to my professional network, not just to see who could help me find a new role but to catch up. Turns out, people love sharing advice when you're not asking them to move a couch. (4) I used the extra time to ensuring I was mentally fit and physically fit. (5) I reflected on my career path and considered if it was time for a pivot.

Our ability to self reflect is a hugely powerful skill to develop especially if, as for some of us, we tend to be overly critical. Set backs can feel like a rejection but the truth is we only reject ourselves and indeed it is our set backs on the journey of life that serve wonderfully to show us who we are and how we deal with challenges; so its really worth spending time reflecting on your own unique journey and understanding who you have become and which of your competencies, skills, traits and passions give you the most energy. Remember that when we get paid to do what we love it doesn’t feel like work

Another important step is to focus on health and exercise. Being laid off is an assault on your sense of well being of the deepest kind. It is not only an affront to your sense of self worth but also a threat to your very existence.

Getting laid off was a blessing in disguise for me. As a mom, I was gifted with the opportunity to nurture the bond with my daughters in ways that my previous job didn't allow. Those months allowed me to assess my financial situation and take a leap of faith to pursue my true passion. Venturing outside my comfort zone was challenging at first, but I embraced the growth that came with it. This experience taught me the power of resilience and the importance of aligning my career with motherhood. To any mom facing a layoff, I encourage you to seize this opportunity for personal and professional transformation. Invest in yourself, explore new paths, and prioritize the things that matter most. You never know where this journey may lead you.