Two Years Ago, I Lost My Job. Here’s What I’ve Learned.

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It was the first time in my life that I had ever lost a job.

At the time, the mortgage industry was in bad place — booming just after COVID, then crashing hard and fast from the hangover. I was laid off with no severance, no warning, and no real backup plan. The news hit me like a truck.

I had been part of the management team. We were told we had a place there. I had helped the company navigate tough times before, taking on extra responsibilities, cutting costs, doing whatever needed to be done. So when I was called into a meeting, I assumed it was another one of those moments — another opportunity to help stabilize things.

Instead, I was out.

The panic set in fast. My entire career had been spent in a single industry (largely at a single employer) — the same industry that was now bleeding jobs. Similar roles weren’t available, especially locally. Moving away wasn’t an option; our family has roots in the Greater Salt Lake City area. That's our home and we weren’t going anywhere.

On top of all that, I wasn’t sure I could do something else, at least not well enough to support and provide a comfortable lifestyle for my family. Imposter syndrome was already something I struggled with, and now, I was questioning everything.

I was fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of a big opportunity in a different industry - consulting. But most of the company’s existing clients were in the process plants industry, an industry I knew almost nothing about. That only made the imposter syndrome worse.

At first, I felt completely out of my element. But I kept at it, I had to. I asked questions. I learned. I grew. Fast forward to now:

? I’ve had the opportunity to lead multiple high-value consulting engagements, taking on the role of both primary project manager and strategic advisor. Together with our team, we’ve delivered impactful solutions that are driving measurable business results. Most recently, I wrapped up a 6-figure engagement that included me, among other things, developing over 200 pages of industry-specific technical documentation for a client — and their feedback was that it exceeded expectations.

? With my contributions, our company nearly doubled its revenue in my first year. In 2024, we hit another record, achieving 3x revenue growth and continuing our momentum.

? With my guidance, we successfully expanded our consulting services, creating new opportunities and increasing our value to clients. Instead of saying, "we don’t do that," we’ve embraced a solutions-oriented approach—learning how to meet more of our clients' needs.

? I spearheaded the comprehensive adoption of generative AI into our company workflows, saving time, enhancing decision-making capabilities, and unlocking new opportunities.

I’m not sharing these achievements to toot my own horn. I’m saying them out loud as a way to remind myself that I am capable. Imposter syndrome is real, and sometimes the best way to silence it is to acknowledge the wins.

That said, I know none of this would be possible without the incredible team I work with and the great customers who trust us. Success is always a team effort, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who make these accomplishments possible.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1?? Your job is not your family. It’s great to have strong relationships at work, but when times get tough, businesses make business decisions. That’s not a betrayal—it’s just how businesses operate. Keep that in mind when you’re the employee.

2?? Business is business, no matter the industry. The challenges, the problem-solving, the people—it’s all surprisingly similar. The technical details change, but the core struggles and victories remain the same.

3?? You can succeed in a new industry. Don’t sell yourself short. I spent 25 years in one industry and still doubted myself, even when the feedback from people I respected most didn’t match the doubts in my head. It took succeeding in a different field for me to finally believe in myself.

4?? Take care of your mental health. Losing my job wasn’t easy, and I won’t call it a “blessing in disguise.” But looking back, I can see how the stress and stagnation of that job had worn me down. I had to address some mental health challenges, and working with a good doctor and therapist made all the difference. If you’re struggling, don’t ignore it. Don’t be ashamed of it. It’s worth the work.

5?? Knowing how to ask good questions is more valuable than being a traditional subject matter expert. AI and other new technologies put vast amounts of knowledge at our fingertips. What matters more is the ability to ask the right questions, think critically about the answers, and use them to solve problems, innovate, and create opportunities.

6?? I love learning. The past two years have been filled with new industries, new technologies, and new challenges. I forgot how good it feels to win and grow. We've only got one chance at this life. Don't spend your time feeling stuck, or in places that don't serve your best interests or contribute to your happiness.

7?? I was too risk-averse. I stayed in a comfortable role for too long because I was afraid to lose what I had — even though what I had wasn’t everything I wanted. Stability and loyalty are great, but they shouldn’t come at the cost of growth and fulfillment.

This journey has introduced me to incredible people and opportunities I never would have encountered otherwise. It’s led to personal growth, renewed motivation, improved mental health, and a better understanding of myself.

If you’re facing uncertainty in your career, I hope this helps. You’re more capable than you think. The next chapter might be better than the one before — it certainly was for me.

#CareerChange #Growth #Resilience #LessonsLearned #ImposterSyndrome #MentalHealth #Leadership