When I found out I was getting laid off, I felt relieved.
I had already suspected that layoffs were coming. The biggest clue was that we had just been acquired by another company. I’d been down that road before, so I knew that layoffs were almost certain.
When faced with the prospect of losing my job, I was surprised to realize that I actually wanted to be laid off.
Team morale had been suffering for a while due to the company’s poor performance and the recent acquisition. Slowly my team members had seen the writing on the wall and started to leave for better opportunities. I went from managing a team of 10 people to just 3 in a matter of months, and the company had frozen rehiring. Looking at our org structure, I could clearly see that my position was no longer needed.
Previous layoffs had involved generous severance packages that provided longer-tenured employees with multiple months of salary in advance (thanks European labor laws!). The prospect of this was tempting. In my 17 years of working, I had never taken an extended break of more than a few weeks between jobs.
So, when I got the news that I was getting cut, although I felt sad to be leaving behind a job of 5 years and coworkers that I loved, I was happy.
I had been thinking about changing careers for some time. This was the push (and financial cushion) that I needed to take action on that.
Shortly after my last day with the company, I went to a coach to explore my next steps.
She helped me to explore what was holding me back from making a career change. I realized that I was worried about risk – not only financial risk, but also the risk of not liking whatever I did next. Through coaching, I took responsibility for my own life and my own choices, I put a plan in place to explore my career next steps, and I identified people who could help to hold me accountable.
A month later, I signed up for my coaching course with Erickson International. Thanks to my coach helping me to get past my blockers, I had followed the plan I had put in place. I had found the courage to take the leap.
I don’t think I could have made this happen without having a solid foundation in both my physical and mental health.
After getting laid off, I started focusing on my fitness. I went to the gym almost every day. In the absence of a traditional work schedule, this helped to provide structure to my days, which is something that helped me to feel sane. It also helped my self-esteem as I felt myself getting stronger and fitter.
I leaned on friends, especially those going through the same experience. I even made a best friend in the process. We met nearly daily, supporting each other emotionally and pushing each other to keep going.
Getting laid off can be a terrible shock. It can be scary, not knowing how you’re going to support yourself if you’re not fortunate enough to get a severance package. But there is something to be said about giving yourself some time and space, then starting to look forward to what’s next. Realizing all the people you have around you to support you – whether that’s a coach or a new best friend.
If you’ve recently been laid off, I would love to help you to navigate your experience so that you come out even better and stronger on the other side. I’ll help you to find your foundations and make an action plan. I understand what you’re going through, and I can help.
Click on the link below to set up an intro call with me and find out how coaching can help you.