Writing Content on LinkedIn

Back on December 6, 2022, I was just another person who was laid off. I have faced many challenges in my life, so I wondered how do I face a layoff late in my career? I was someone who enjoyed self-help books, tapes, and videos. I enjoyed learning from Norman Vincent Peale, Tony Robbins, Napolean Hill, Les Brown, Zig Ziglar, and many others. My career had gone from military to corporations, state and local government, consulting, and back to corporations. So, job displacements, layoffs, reductions in force, or terminations were just a part of life. You face it, you hurt, and you later find a new job.

This time, I wanted to be an example to others who may have felt marginalized while being laid off. Bleed and lead by example through blood, sweat, and tears was my philosophy this time.

My father was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1935. He faced racial challenges and was the first in his family to go to college. He received a bachelor's, two master's degrees, and a doctorate degree while being married with children. His career started in the Air Force as an enlisted man and becoming an officer after college. Mine started as an officer after college. The no-excuse, no blaming, and no crying for sympathy philosophy is how I grew up. My mother was a schoolteacher with a master's degree. So, if you have job hiccups, failures, or terminations, excuses were not allowed. Action and results were the key. Singing the song, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" was a bit frowned upon. The Sam Cooke version was my favorite if you want to know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEx5pLLTTDo

In this job loss I decided that I needed to show others that fate, luck, genetics, career decisions, health issues, and other concerns don't determine your future career aspirations and outcomes. In 2012, a life challenge called prostate cancer knocked on my door. My father also was a prostate cancer survivor, so I faced what could be a part of my future. Was it scary? Was it beyond comprehension? Oh yes. But during that time, I never spoke negatively about it. Words do matter. My wife asked me about it. I told her what I felt emotionally was not my reality. My reality was only focused on moving forward and a positive outcome. Almost thirteen years later, that was a wise decision.

I wanted to be an example to other job seekers on what was possible. Excuses can get you sympathy, but not a job. So, I chose to write about my job search process as someone without excuses to blame for my situation. Woe is me, boo-hoo I feel so sad, the world isn't fair, others have advantages over me in the job search process due to luck or privilege, or other such nonsense was never a consideration in my thought process. Those who start behind the starting line must run faster to catch up was my philosophy.

I started my new job February 21, 2023. I never realized how much my writing affected others. I documented my approach and attitude as a cathartic process to keep my focus on the positive. My father passed away in August 2021 at the age of eighty-five. I could imagine him grabbing a switch and whipping my butt if I whined and complained about how hard it was to find a job after a layoff. He would say, "your ancestors faced hardships, while you faced mere challenges."

I was amazed at the number of people who benefited from what I wrote. They thanked me and were inspired by my articles. Did I have negative thoughts during the process? Of course. But did I complain and whine? Absolutely not.

So, what am I saying? Sharing your thoughts and experience on LinkedIn can help you and help others.