By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
About Layoff Lesson Seven: Assess, Adapt, and Rise AboveWhen you’re searching for a new job, there are always challenges. Like with any system you put in place to solve a problem, it’s helpful to compare the actions you’ve been taking to your results. It's valuable to review where you are getting stuck during the hiring process and updating what you're doing so you can see more success. Let's look at some of the challenges you might face. Interview Progression IssuesAfter you apply for a job, your goal is to be selected for an interview. That process usually includes an initial phone screen, one or more face-to-face interviews, and then a job offer. Let’s look at possible places you might get stuck and how to evolve your approach.
Additional Job Search ChallengesEven when you have good results with your overall job search and hear back from companies on specific roles, you’ll still face challenges. Let’s look at a few:
You are the CEO of YouAt the end of the day, remember your role as the CEO of You and make a decision that aligns with your overall career and life goals. That might mean adjusting your requirements as your search goes on or holding out for what you really want. You get to decide what matters most to you and change your mind as needed. For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. Learn More
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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
About Layoff Lesson Six: Examine Your Energy to Take Control of Your TimeEven when you have a general idea of what needs to happen, sometimes it’s hard to translate higher-level information into specific activities. Sometimes, even when you have a clear sense of your goals and a well-written to-do list, another obstacle remains. Even when you know what your top priorities should be and how urgent those tasks are, you still can't manage to get those crucial things done. How is that even possible? In short, it all comes down to our energy. When life is puttering along as planned, we don’t have to spend undue effort living our everyday lives. Post-layoff, a lot changes. Losing your job upends your life and gives you a whole new set of challenges you simply have to figure out. These problems also come with uncertainty about the future, new complexities in your financial life, and anxiety about how long it might take to get back to something that could be called normal. You are now entering an unplanned phase in your life where you will experience more rejection in a shorter period of time than ever before. All of this change and rejection can take its toll. Managing Your MindsetBe sure to leverage your Realistic Optimist mindset by reminding yourself that good things are coming—as long as you put the work in to get there. While you can accomplish a lot, you’ll never be able to do absolutely everything that may contribute to your success. Instead of setting unrealistic expectations for your ongoing productivity, you need to prioritize where you spend your energy and your time. Leading and Lagging IndicatorsWhen pursuing a big goal, it's important to focus on taking the small steps that will help you achieve your larger goal. Many times, we think of the end goal--for example, an accepted job offer is one of the ultimate measures of job search success. Having a new job is a lagging indicator. That means that it is a big goal that won’t happen for a while and has many contributing factors. Too often, people overfocus on achieving a big goal (lose 50 pounds, write a book, run a marathon) but skip over the smaller steps that build toward that huge goal. This is where leading indicators come in. Leading indicators are all of the tasks you need to complete to position yourself to achieve that bigger goal. Leading indicators are those smaller, checkoffable things you can control. For job searching, those might be applying for three jobs a week, sending LinkedIn connection requests for two people per week, and sending thank you notes after an interview. Consistently doing those leading indicators will help you achieve those lagging indicators. All Hours Are Not Equally ProductiveWhen I’m in career transition, I spend a lot of time writing, applying for jobs, and interacting on LinkedIn. I also tend to rewatch TV shows and movies. Conventional time management would say that I’m wasting a good chunk of my life. In reality, it is not feasible to produce noteworthy results all the time. Achieving at a high level requires preparation and adequate recovery time. That means if I have two video interviews in one day, I will appear to be doing nothing for those couple of hours right afterward. The only way I can knock those interviews out of the park is by managing my energy well. Reflect on Factors Influencing Your EnergyAs you think about how to spend your time, learn about yourself and when you will be the most productive and happiest with each activity. I interact with LinkedIn posts during my first cup of coffee, enjoy afternoon walks, and do yoga at night before bed. There are no absolute right or wrong times for most things, just ones that are a better fit for you. Take time to reflect on your most and least productive times of day. Do you excel in the morning, or do your best work late at night? How much structured time do you need? How much social time do you need? These answers will help you gain a sense of how to get the most out of each day. Energy Builders and PrioritizationPlain and simple, there is not enough time to do everything you could possibly do. Therefore, it’s crucial to prioritize your time. This helps ensure you are doing the highest value activities that get you closer to your goal. Know that saying yes to higher-value activities--like having a job interview or meeting with colleagues--means you’ll have to say no to other activities. If socializing drains you, you may skip a social gathering and rest to recover and prepare for other job-searching tasks. Also remember that energy builders, like resting, walking outdoors, or medication, can help you sustain the energy levels needed to work toward your goal for as long as it takes. For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons, pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
About Layoff Lesson Five: Help People Help YouLife is challenging when nothing out-of-the-ordinary is happening. It's even harder when you're going through an unexpected job change. While I'm a fan of self-reliance, I also know how important it is to find your people and support one another as you go through challenges. You're not weak for needing people. You are strong because you know the value of building and leveraging relationships to help get you through trying times. I have found that people genuinely want to help. In many cases, though, they might not know what you need. Not only is it vital that you seek out help when you need it, but you need to figure out what type of help you need. One Career Transition RevelationHere's something that might surprise you. When you tell people that you're looking for a new job, this is when you will discover that many people don’t know exactly what it is you do for a living. Instead of being taken aback that they don’t know, use this as an opportunity to learn how to tell them what you want and need during your career transition--and it's much more than just a new paying job. Figure Out What Life Help You NeedFirst off, you need to figure the types of life help you might need:
Figure Out What Job Search Help You NeedIn addition, you need to figure the types of job search help you might need:
It Takes a VillageOnce you have a better idea of what you need, make sure you don't expect one person to fill all of these roles. Think about who could help you in each area and reach out to them. Leveraging Your Professional NetworkLinkedIn is my goto tool for building and managing my professional network. It's importan to make sure your LinkedIn profile represents you well, and that you showcase your experience and the value you bring to others, and to a new role. There is also an art (and a process) to asking people in your professional network in a way that is mutually beneficial. For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Layoffs Happen All The TimeIt starts like any other day. Then, it takes an ominous turn. Whether you were invited to an ambiguously titled last minute meeting, received an awkward email in your personal email notifying you of your last day, or are perp walked to HR on your first day back from vacation, you are now among the newly unemployed. Welcome to the suck. Now What Do I Do?Even if there were buyout rumors, a quarter with low sales, or a new company direction, being part of a reduction in force (RIF) is still surreal when it happens to you. It's hard to know what to do with yourself when you find yourself unexpectedly out of the job. It's time to redirect your attention. Your New Focus AreasThe work problems you had an hour ago are gone. Along with your freed-up future come very different challenges. It’s time to shift to these top three focus areas:
Your Guiding PrincipleAlong with your new focus areas, your overall guiding principle is not to do anything counterproductive (or downright dumb) as you figure out your post-layoff next steps. Your Never-Do List Here are the career-limiting moves that will make your life harder. Instead of springing into action, stop, think, and then just don't do the following:
Your Think-Before-You-Consider-Doing List Here are a few things you may want to do at some point, but that require thought and a plan before you move forward. At the very least, sleep on it before you do any of the following:
Now that you are at least somewhat inoculated against creating utter chaos for yourself, let's get back to those top three focus areas. Focus Area 1: Process Your EmotionsLosing your job can be an emotional roller coaster. An unplanned job change is a stressful life event on par with getting divorced or going to prison. Just like dealing with a death in the family, you’re dealing with the death of the future you thought you had. Losing that imagined future is a significant loss that needs to be addressed. Figure out how you will cope with these changes. While distracting yourself from the unpleasant parts of the process is natural, building healthier coping mechanisms, like prioritizing self-care, is better for your long-term success. While you can get away with avoiding your feelings for a while, eventually, you need to acknowledge each one so you can move on. If you don’t work through those difficult emotions, your ignored feelings will come out sideways at just the wrong time. It is better to work through your grief privately than to fall apart during an interview or snap at someone who is trying to help you. Step 2: Review Your FinancesDisclaimer: While I know quite a bit based on my previous work experience supporting financial coaches, my own research, and my personal life experiences, I do not currently hold a license or certification to give financial advice. Therefore, the information provided here is educational information provided as guidance. I hope you can glean value from my lessons learned. Feel free to take my recommendations or not—but whatever you do, double-check my information (and everyone's facts, for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else. With that, read on. Possible Money From Your Former EmployerAlthough your paychecks will eventually stop, you will receive your final paycheck, possibly vacation time that you have earned and, hopefully, a lovely parting gift from your former employer in the form of a severance package. Severance could be equivalent to a set number of weeks of pay or include an additional lump sum, continuation of some benefits, and job placement services. In most cases, employers do not have to give you any type of severance. If you are eligible for a severance package, you will need to sign something before receiving that money. Once you sign, any thoughts you might have about legal action regarding your employment with the organization are pretty much over. Read the agreement given to you, consider having a lawyer look it over, and ask for clarifications (and any revisions) before signing it. After that, there is typically a waiting period before you receive that money. I also encourage you not just to sign whatever paper they put in front of you. Make sure you advocate for yourself. Unemployment IncomeAfter a layoff, most people will be eligible for unemployment insurance income, or UI. I encourage you to apply for unemployment payments. The money used to make unemployment payments comes from the payroll taxes that employers pay. That money is intended to help people who have been laid off to pay their bills as they search for something new. Unemployment payments are administered at the state level and vary by state. After you apply, there may be a waiting period before you receive a payment. Your state will also outline the amount of each payment you will receive, the number of payments you are eligible to receive, and additional factors impacting your payments. You may also qualify for job search support services and even programs to help you upgrade your skills. In short, apply for unemployment income right away. In most cases, there is not a good reason for most people to forgo unemployment payments. A Note About Health InsuranceSince many people rely on their employers for health insurance coverage, consider how you’ll cover healthcare costs. If you have a spouse, domestic partner, or parent who can bring you onto their health insurance, that may be your best option. Check with the other person’s employer and let them know you no longer have health insurance through your employer because of a layoff. Their employer can talk you through your next steps and cost changes. If that's not an option, consider COBRA coverage through your former employer. This means you could stay with your previous health insurance, but now you'd pay the whole premium cost. Brace yourself when you see your new premium amount because it is usually A LOT more than you spent as an employee. Another option is going on the insurance exchanges at Healthcare.gov to find coverage. You may even be eligible for a subsidy to offset the cost. Alternatively, for less expensive coverage intended to cover a big expensive medical issue should it happen, short-term health care insurance may be a good interim option. Do your research and determine what makes the most sense for you and your household. Step 3: Prepare For Your Job SearchNext, plan to launch your search for a new job. Start by thinking about what kind of job you want. Write down job titles, possible employers, and your target salary range. Update your resume to include details about your last position and showcase your unique skillset as it aligns with your target job. From here, start letting people know your new status of being “in transition” and ask for help. They might be able to introduce you to a valuable business contact, keep an eye out for job openings that meet your needs, and introduce you to a hiring manager looking for someone just like you. It Will All Work Out. It May Also Take A While.All told, I’ve had seven workdays that started with lots of obligations then quickly evaporated into unemployment. The good news is that it will all work out. The bad news is that there is a lot of uncertainty between your last day of work and your first day of your fancy new job when it does arrive. Using these tips will set you right as you begin your career transition. Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A GuideIf you've recently been laid off, check out my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. You can even buy the eBook to get help right now. In this book, I cover seven lessons from my seven experiences with unplanned job losses. I include my personal stories alongside practical advice for navigating this tumultuous time. You'll learn strategies for managing your mindset, finding the next right job for you, shaping your career story, and overcoming setbacks. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady My Year In ReviewFor me, the past year has been very full. For the first six months, I was in career transition, a volunteer facilitator for The White Box Club, and writing my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. Then, I started a new job, and everything changed. I spent the next six months learning my new role, adjusting my finances back to my working person budget, and focused on finalizing and publishing my book. Priorities, Plans, and GoalsI have a love/hate relationship with setting personal goals. Instead, I feel like I have a general direction in life and continue to modify and hone that direction as needed. I may change where I focus when I stumble upon a new interest, when an opportunity unexpectedly presents itself, when a once murky path becomes clear, or when life hands me a beginning or end. Sometimes, it’s as easy as the start of a new week, year, or season to motivate me to reflect. Creating The New NormalThis time, I’m taking a step back to revisit goals a little differently. Just a few short months ago, I was acclimating to my new job, working on paying off a few bigger ticket items, adjusting to my new adult ADHD diagnosis, and making the bijilion little required decisions to get my book over the publishing finish line. Now, with many of those items crossed off of my life to-do list and coming off of an amazing visit from my daughter, it feels like the right time to reassess and consciously decide what to focus on next. My Reflection PlanHere is my plan for doing a bit of structured soul-searching as I contemplate my way forward:
What Do You Think?What prompts you to revisit your priorities? What is your process for refection and goal setting? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn More
by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady 'Tis The SeasonOf my seven total layoffs, three began with my role being eliminated in the fall and ended with me starting a new job well into the new year. Being in a career transition always has rough patches. Being in a career transition during the holidays—especially the week before Christmas through the first full work week of January—is soul-sucking. I’ve read several articles touting the benefits of job searching during the holidays--and I mean a lot, a lot of them. (No one else will be applying! You’ll get a leg up on other applicants! Tons of people are trying to fill positions before the year's end!) I'm sure somebody somewhere found the role of a lifetime the day after Christmas interviewing with the one HR rep who was out of vacation and stuck working. I am not that person. I'm also not going to make the mistake of trying to be that person ever again. The Hiring Process Takes TimeMy shortest period of post-layoff unemployment was 50 days. In that time, I discovered the opportunity, applied for the role, had a phone screen, interviewed with the hiring manager, met with the hiring manager's boss, had an interview with the team, received an offer, negotiated the offer, waited for the background check, and then started. During this entire process, I had an interview each week. We started talking in mid-March, when no one was on vacation, and there were no major holidays. Holiday Hiring ChallengesNot even considering each organization's busy season, making progress on finding a new job in December is challenging. In addition to whatever year-end tasks need to happen, people are also focusing on holiday parties and family commitments, and sometimes using their vacation so they don't lose it. Unfortunately, focusing on getting people through the hiring process ranks lower on that full priority list. The Darkest Job Search TimeIn my experience, the absolute worst weeks for job searching are the last two weeks in December, with the very first week in January still being very slow. Then, as if by magic, on the first Monday of the first full workweek of the year, the world starts moving again. Those last two weeks in December can be downright brutal if you're trying to continue job searching. Possible referrals will suggest you wait until people are back in the office. The HR person you might manage to talk to is likely the one with the least vacation who is not hiring for the role that interests you most. You may also find that you'll get next to no good news and instead get a lot of long-overdue "we regret to inform you" emails confirming that you did not get that job you applied for several months ago. My Holiday Job Search AdviceHere is my advice to job seekers at the end of the year. Take a break from pounding pavement on your job search, and just breathe. Stop applying for a week or two. This break will do you good. Instead, take some time for you. Go do a few things you enjoy but don't always take the time to do while you are gainfully employed. Go to a noon yoga class. Get together with friends for lunch. Read a novel with no obvious professional development benefit. Go to a matinee. Visit a museum. Take a road trip. Walk around the mall on a weekday. Buy fancy coffee in a café and people watch. Whatever it is, do some things that bring you joy. Just like we all need vacation time to recuperate from our day jobs and be able to do good work, we also need to take a break from a job search so we can have the mental space to regroup. If you want to do something for your job search, revisit what you want in a new role and ensure your goals are still the right ones. Then, you can move forward and have more success in the new year. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Brenda's Favorite ThingsThis week, I'm taking a detour from my usual blog articles full of valuable insights on layoffs, job transitions, and career resilience. Instead, I'm going to channel my inner Oprah and share some of my favorite things with you. Some of these may be holiday gift ideas, and others might be items you pick up for yourself. These are all products I purchased for myself, have used, and would definitely recommend to others. Dry Erase Index Cards and Fine Tipped MarkersI love notecards. When brainstorming ideas or figuring out how to organize content, I often write down each idea on a notecard and then move the cards around to optimize content flow. A while back, I stumbled across these amazing dry-erase index cards. Not only can I write things on them and use them to organize content, but they wipe off, and I can use them again! This pack includes 45 double-sided laminated cards. They are also great if you want to make flashcards for yourself or your family to help memorize important content. In addition, I bought this excellent set of dry-erase markers. I love these because they include a variety of colors and also come with six black markers. Each marker also has a magnet and a built in eraser on top. StrengthsFinder 2.0: Discover Your Strengths BookIf you've read much of what I've written here or posted on LinkedIn, you may know that I'm a HUGE proponent of CliftonStrengths. In short, many of us lack the awareness to understand what we are uniquely good at. In addition, we lack the language to describe how we naturally interact with the world as compared to what other people do. While you can go directly to Gallup's website and purchase access to the CliftonStrengths Top 5 report, instead, you can buy the StrengthsFinder 2.0: Discover Your Strengths Book, which includes a code to access the online assessment. It also makes a nice gift. I gave these to my immediate family last year for Christmas, and it was a fun activity. We each got to learn about ourselves and then had a chance to talk about our talents and strengths. Wobble BoardI have an adjustable desk at work, which I love because I can stand up for at least part of the day. A coworker of mine talked about wanting an under-desk treadmill, then later had found one of these fun wobble boards for under her desk. In short, it's a curved board that she can stand on that "wobbles." It's a great way to keep moving, stretch, productively fidget, and increase your daily steps. I actually bought one for work and for home. I use the one I have at home in the living room. After I sit for what feels too long, I stand on for a while, and may even watch TV or lift a few weights. This is one of those items that has a whole bunch of possible names. The one I bought for myself has this crazily long descriptive title on Amazon: Anti Fatigue Mat Balance Board Standing Desk Mat Balance Boards Sit Stand Desk Mat Accessory Ergonomic Design Non-Slip Bottom Wobble Balance Board Black. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady All The FeelsWhether due to an economic downturn, an acquisition, or a company reorganization, I’ve found myself in an unexpected career transition quite a few times. Even having been through more than my share of layoffs, it’s still an emotional experience each and every time. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of the feelings I’ve personally gone through. ShockThe phone call from HR, the perp walk through the office to the dreaded conference room, the last-minute ominous meeting invite, or the oddly timed tap on the shoulder all seem to come out of nowhere. There is something surreal about being pulled into a virtual or in-person room and having someone look you dead in the eye and tell you that you are going to go through a significant life change starting, well, now. Even if there were layoff rumors, or news about leadership changes, or low sales reported for the quarter, it’s always a surprise on the date and time when layoffs go down. It’s the feeling of the ground being pulled out from under. It’s the gap between expecting a full day of meetings and finding yourself in your car mid-morning with a white box. AngerEven in cases where I was actively looking for a new role, a certain amount of anger goes along with a layoff. I was angry learning about the people who didn’t get laid off (like that guy whose messes I’ve been cleaning up for the last year) and comparing my perceived value to theirs. I’ve been angry at the timing (right after vacation, right before a holiday) and how that makes finding something new an even longer process. I’ve been mad that yesterday’s mission-critical work-all-night project has become irrelevant. But, mostly, I’ve been mad that someone else decided when I didn’t get to do that job anymore instead of me getting to choose when it was time for me to move on. Feeling that lack of control is often the most challenging part. SadnessExiting a job abruptly leaves a big hole in your life, starting with the 9+ hours per workday being replaced with dead air and uncertainty. People who earlier that day were coworkers, casual work friendships, or confidants now may be nothing at all now that you no longer share an employer. The consistency of a morning routine, daily commute, and regularly scheduled meetings are replaced with a battle with the unknown that may last a week or a year. Sometimes it’s easy to be hopeful about the future, and other times it’s hard not to be mired in sadness about all the things you can’t control. FearThere is plenty to be afraid of. First, the idea of not having a paycheck is horrifying. Not knowing how long your final payout or severance check has to last is unnerving. Now knowing how long your jobless period will last and what job you’ll end up with is sometimes unbearable. I fear being unemployed endlessly and not being able to support myself. I worry about panicking and taking the first job offered to me. I worry about holding out for something closer to the “perfect” job that may never come. I fear that I will never get a job as good as the one I had. On the worst days, when fear has given way to full-on catastrophizing, I worry that I will lose my house, car, professional reputation, and everyone I’ve ever loved. ReliefHere's the one that might seem unexpected. At one point, during an ongoing economic downturn, I made it until the seventh round of company layoffs. While I was happy to be employed that long, each time we heard rumblings about reorganizations or started seeing those empty white dots pop up on Microsoft Teams, I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach waiting for it to be me. The strange benefit of finally being laid off is that you don't have to worry if it will happen (and when) because it just happened. At that moment, you also realize it's not as bad as you imagined it might be, and now what there is to do is pick yourself up and create your fantastic new future. The Good NewsThrough the tumult of emotions, it’s important to acknowledge each one and process those feelings. It’s helpful to grieve, then focus on all the possibilities to come. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Rejection and Negative EmotionsBeing jobless post-layoff and searching for a new role is a rough process riddled with rejection. It starts with your former employer kicking you out of the whole company and, in essence, saying, “You are no longer one of us.” At every step of the way, you’ll experience people telling you no in a variety of ways. Here is how that rejection may look. Applying for a job and:
Having what felt like a great interview for a job and:
Receiving a job offer and:
Accepting a job offer and:
The Necessity of Experiencing Your Emotions Because of all of the uncertainty and rejection, this whole process can be a lot to bear. It’s hard to keep going when there are obstacles at every turn. Sometimes, even well-intentioned people trying to be supportive ask just the wrong question and make you feel even worse. Often, I find that when people are exceedingly negative, they usually have not taken the time to address their emotions. Consequently, those hard feelings fester, come out sideways, and interfere with the business part of job searching. Their complaining comes from a place of fear, pain, sadness, and anger. Unfortunately, as with much of life, it’s nearly impossible to complain your way out of your current situation and into a better one. Instead, it’s paramount that you experience your emotions, then manage your mindset so you don’t let your feelings make the already complicated process of finding a new job even harder. Coping StrategiesHere are a few ideas for strategies to help you work through the unpleasant emotions that will pop up during your career transition. Acknowledge Each EmotionBefriend your feelings. Don’t pretend that you don’t feel how you do. Name them, acknowledge them, and then move on. Pretending those unpleasant feelings don’t exist will not make them disappear. Instead, it may silence them for a bit, but they will pop up later, usually at the worst possible time. Acknowledging each one will help them run their course–and also help you to increase your ability to manage those feelings. Wallow a Little It’s impossible to will yourself into feeling better. Sometimes, you need to just sit with an uncomfortable feeling for a while and let it run its course. Cry a little. Rewatch your favorite movie for the bijillionth time. Have a little ice cream. Do a puzzle. Take a walk. Take the afternoon off from your to-do list. Some will run their course a bit more quickly than others. Research The ProblemIf you’re worried about something, researching answers and managing your expectations often helps. How many job applications does it typically take to get an interview? How long does it take most people to find a new role post-layoff? Which companies are hiring? You'll probably feel a little better by researching options, clarifying goals, and taking useful action. Even if you don’t find a complete solution, you at least know more. Having added knowledge will help you worry less or at least direct your worry toward taking productive action that will help you solve a problem. Take a Social Media BreakSocial media, specifically LinkedIn, can be a great job search tool. Unfortunately, it can also give you the illusion that everyone else is doing great and you are downright hopeless. Posts like “It only took me a week to find my dream job,” or “I’m still employed but I feel SO BAD for my former coworkers who are jobless,” or “Every company ever is doing more layoffs” will only make you feel worse. Remind yourself that social media isn’t real life and disengage. Leverage Basic Self CareWhen everything feels hard, taking care of yourself needs to be one of your top priorities. Here are a few quick and easy ideas to make you feel almost instantly better:
Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Energy Management Trumps Time ManagementWhen we think of productivity, many people think of checking off all the things on your to-do list. If only it was that simple! When going through a trying time, you're managing a lot more than just job searching. You're also juggling a whole lot of uncertainty, many significant life changes, and a steady stream of rejection. Managing your energy levels, not just your ever-growing task list is the key to making progress. Reflect on Factors Influenging Your Energy LevelsAs you think about how to spend your time, learn about yourself and when you will be the most productive and happiest with each activity. I interact with LinkedIn posts during my first cup of coffee, enjoy afternoon walks, and do yoga at night before bed. There are no absolute right or wrong times for many things, just ones that are a better fit for you. Your Most and Least Productive Times of DayTake time to reflect on your most and least productive times. Use these questions as a starting point:
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just what is true for you. Factors Influencing Your Energy LevelsIn addition, reflect on the following factors and their impact on your energy levels:
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just what is true for you. Patterns for Energy Builders and Energy DepletersBased on your responses to those questions, you may have identified factors that energize you and those that deplete you.
Knowing these things about myself helps me know how to structure my time to maximize my energy. Letting family and friends know what I need also helps them to understand and support me as I work towards my goals. Self Care Builds EnergyAfter you identify your energy depleters, here are a few steps you can take to build your energy:
Leverage Your Energy To Achieve MoreWhen I identify my energy patterns and take steps to recover when needed, I have more capacity. I can accomplish more in less time when my energy is in a good place. Then, I can leverage my to-do lists and make real progress towards my goals. Learn More
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Just get laid off?
Click here for info on what to do first. Author7-time layoff survivor Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, & career resilience. Buy The Book!Were you recently laid off from your job and need a roadmap for what's next? Pick up a copy of my book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide!
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