You Were Let Go. What Now?

By, Matthew Bedran - April 17, 2020

Let go or laid off? I was let go January 2019. Here is my story and my advice...

We all know, life is not easy and it is uncertain more often than not. EVERYONE loses a job at some point. The only thing that matters, is what you do next.

January 2019 I was released from my last job. Much like many Americans today, I was facing harsh realities like, how will I support my family? How will I pay my mortgage? How long can we last on our savings? The list goes on. The fear and anxiety stacks up fast. Fear is an illusion, and you cannot dictate your life's or careers decisions around fear. I was fortunate enough to receive a job offer with a well know recruiting agency within 3 weeks of being let go. I turned it down.

For me, getting fired was the push I needed to finally bet on myself. I am grateful everyday that I did, and evermore grateful for the support of my family at the time. Turning down a salaried job with two kids at home to pursue a dream, is a difficult conversation and a scary endeavor. Nevertheless, if I didn't try then, I likely never would have, and it would haunted me the rest of my career. Like Michael Jordan said, I can accept failure, but I cant accept not trying.

Working for yourself has a tremendous amount of benefits and gratification, but also comes with tremendous risk. Life is full of these trade offs. When you push your chips in, and cut the life lines, it forces you to deliver. For me, it has worked out. The 60-70 hour weeks in between (and there are plenty) never bothered me. They still don't. I am doing what I love, and what excites me.

Right now, many people are facing a crossroads in their career and lives, like I was in January 2019. I urge you to take the time, and this opportunity to figure out what excites you. I truly believe this is the key to success and happiness. Pursue something with passion, and good results will follow. It may not result in extraordinary wealth, and may not work your first try, but who knows, it just might.

Either way, it will be rewarding, you will grow professionally and personally, and you will be alright. I am not suggesting you have to start a business, be an entrepreneur, or bet it all on black. However, I am encouraging you to do some self realization and answer these two questions. What excites me? What am I passionate about?

Use this time to figure out what YOU WANT. Start there. Always believe in yourself, and keep moving forward. Head up and eyes open.