52 Simple Ways to Manage Your Money – 40. The Pits – Losing Your Job
What it is…
A catastrophe sometimes, other times a blessing in disguise.
How it helps…
If you can remain objective, it offers an opportunity to explore options and alternatives that you might not have considered otherwise.
You seldom make changes when you are comfortable. If you post pone change, or are intimidated by the idea of changing your life, the loss of a job forces you to examine your life.
Key items to look for…
Check your financial assets. Be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Have Plan B, c , or D ready. When you know what you would do in case your employment evaporates overnight, you are less likely to be affected by the emotional shock of the loss, and you can start right away on remedying the situation.
Time …
One or two hours to set up. Set aside a section in your notebook for this— let it be your “Fall-Back Position.”
Continuing, as conditions change, a few minutes here and there to note the amendments to your plans. Keep your notebook section up to date.
Keys to action…
Make sure your skills remain marketable. Technological changes come quickly, so be sure that you keep up with them.
Use your notebook as a tool for emotional and financial support.
Use networking for a support system.
Take some time to dream about what you really want to do, then determine how close you really are to that dream.
Gather letters of reference all the time. This is especially important if you are changing supervisors. Keep adding to and updating your resume, so that it will be ready at a moment’s notice.
SET IT UP
Observe and be aware of the possibility of job changes or layoff.
STEP ON IT
Be prepared both emotionally and financially for the event.
STEP ON IT +
Use the change as an opportunity to reevalu-ate your career and your goals.
Notice…
Your feelings when you think about being unemployed.
But what if…
I am broke?
- Prepare now to avoid that problem by setting up an emergency fund.
- Keep an eye on the job market—even in areas that may not be obvious or your favorite.
Thought primers…
Losing my job means…
At the thought of looking for work…
One of the things I do well is…
If my job and my identity were separate…
At the thought of starting all over again…
If I could have any job I wanted, I would..
