“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You are on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy (or gal!) who’ll decide where to go.”
These are the immortal words of one of my favourite authors and philosophers, Dr Seuss. They are words I have personally lived by and ones I share with everyone I’ve coached through career transitions.
But after losing a job – whether through redundancy or otherwise – putting yourself back in the driving seat can be a lot easier said than done. Here is how we begin that process.
Overcoming the ‘lurking saboteur’
It’s a very human reaction to experience self-doubt after losing a job. Our brains are wired to focus on the negative first. Negative self-talk and worry about the future are all very normal, especially when change feels forced upon us.
Soldiering on without addressing these negative emotions can lead to them resurfacing later and hampering progress. Talking through these emotions is critical rather than keeping them like a ‘lurking saboteur’ inside your head.
Accept you are human and that you need a minute to process the negative stuff.
Re-establishing your sense of self
Job loss can be a real knock to your identity. Most people focus first on what they need to improve or what they lack. I believe that focusing first on what you know and like about yourself provides a much stronger base. You’re ‘weaknesses’ then become things to work on rather than showstoppers.
Listening to the angel on your shoulder
Take a moment to reflect on positive feedback you’ve received throughout your career. Whether it was a formal review or a passing comment like, “I really liked the way you handled that,” write those moments down. Look objectively at what they say about you and your strengths.
This is what you actually project to others. These strengths act as a valuable ‘angel on your shoulder’ to balance out the noisy inner critic.
One of my favourite pieces of feedback was when a manager said to me: “No one dies in a ditch wondering what you are thinking.” For me, that was a positive reinforcement of my values: being open, candid and authentic.
Reflect on what brings you joy
We spend a large percentage of our waking hours working. So, it should bring us some joy and satisfaction. Reflect on when you’ve felt ‘in the zone’, where time flies and you feel pumped when the task is done.
If we can ‘stack the deck’ in favour of the work we actually enjoy, we feel much more in control of our destiny and happiness. What are the specific tasks that make you feel steady, capable and satisfied?
Thinking outside the ‘sandpit’
When you’ve spent years in one industry or specific role, it’s hard to see beyond it.
We can be like the proverbial mouse on a wheel unable to think objectively and simply chucking ourselves back into the same ‘sandpit’.
This is where career coaching adds value. We guide you through a process of self-reflection, focusing on your ‘superpowers’ and then help you expand your thinking to alternative options that you may never have considered on your own.
Overcoming barriers
And a final note. The job market is incredibly tough now. Not only are we contending with inherent human biases but also dehumanising approaches too. AI recruitment filters and rejections are on the rise and can be hugely demoralising. Support to stay on track despite the obstacles, and try new approaches, can be a game changer.
What brings me joy is coaching individuals to help them develop their sense of self and agency of their own lives and careers. If you are interested in knowing more about ClearWay’s career coaching programmes reach out to Rebecca Mowat or phone 027 807 1533.