Got Fired - You Are Not Alone!

Social media is filled with stories about a range of emotions people are experiencing, from losing their employment due to recent job cuts.?

"You are not alone", a 1995 song by Michael Jackson, aptly describes the conversation between a man and his lost job.??

"You're not here with me; You never said goodbye

Someone tell me why. Did you have to go?

And leave my world so cold. Every day I sit and ask myself

How did love slip away??

Even I got Fired:?In my second job as an analyst, I got a call from the management informing me that I was not required to come to the office the next day. It was a rude shock because I never thought I would be let go as I was doing well, and no one in my friend and family had ever been fired from their job before. But unfortunately, the company had to take that decision because the equity markets were doing very poorly.?

The five emotions I felt then coincidently are the same as what everyone who lost their job now is experiencing:

• Angry?- Why was I the only one who got fired?
• Hurt?- how could they fire me when I was a loyal company man?
• Shocked?- why was I fired when my performance was good?
• Embarrassed?- what will the world think about me getting fired??
• Worried?- how will I survive financially? Will I get another job?

We cannot get back the lost job, but sooner or later, we will get another job just like the way I did, and now I am here sharing the five pointers which I have adopted to enjoy every role I did while being prepared in case I lose my job or decide to quit.?

1. Accept the Reality:?

Life is not fair, and it will never be. So accept what has happened and find positivity in this adversity by not having self-pity and falling into depression.?

Remember, this may not be the last time you will be let go; each of us, from the Founder to the CEO to the last person down the hierarchy, is always at risk of being let go. So channel your energy and emotions on what is in your control: invest in yourself and your safety net, and detach from attachment.

2. Invest in Self:??

When you are in a job, invest in strengthening your existing skills, improving weaknesses, and acquiring new skills. But please don't wait for your company to do it. You have to rise by self yourself. Make yourself relevant to the industry with skills that are over and above everyone else's.?Remember two things:

• Employment is like a running marathon; new runners with better skills and motivation will keep joining the race, and you must get up your skill game to avoid being left venerable.?
• The Organization's culture and ecosystem play an essential role in your success, and it's not portable to your following Organization or role. What gets carried over is your skills, so?invest in the self.?

3. Invest in Safety Net:?

The enormous disservice the education system has done was to turn us into spending machine-compulsive consumers instead of intelligent investors. I wish someone had given me this advice when I started working, invest regularly and responsibly, irrespective of the amount. Just build a habit of investing.

The discipline of regular investing over a period of time will become meaningful enough to give you a financial safety net whether you are let go or plan to quit.?

4. Detach from Attachment:?

To avoid feeling hurt when you are let go. Remember, you signed a contract with the Organization. It's s a formal agreement whose terms mutually benefit the two parties. When one party stop getting the benefit, it will quit.?

For example, many say I love the company; no, you don't; you love the money, comfort and opportunity the company gives. That is why if the company stops paying you a salary, you quit; ideally, you should stay because you love the company but don't.?

Attach to your efforts, not to your emotions; give your best every day and keep your part of the agreement. Rest is destiny, as you may let go for various reasons beyond your control.?

5. Create a network of 3 Aces:?Anchor, Allies, and Amplifiers. Find Anchor who can keep you steady when you are flying high or when your chips are down; it's the family and close friends. I will keep the concept of Allies and Amplifiers for future articles!??

In conclusion, When you are in a storm, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel; you feel hopeless, worried, lonely, and dejected. But, keep the faith; All will end well, and remember the song's last two lines.?

Something whispers in my ear and says

That you are not alone."