What To Do If You Lose Your Job

Yesterday I discovered that a handful of my former co-workers at MAC Cosmetics had recently lost their jobs due to “company restructuring”. My initial reaction was horror – after all, we’re talking about some of the most wonderful and talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with; people who have been devoted to the same company for 15 – 20 years.

On the other hand I am deeply aware that change can also be a blessing in disguise. Today I want to share some positive ways of responding if you happen to lose your job.

Respond, Don’t React

Most people’s initial and automatic reaction to a sudden change in their lives such as job loss is panic… but panic does absolutely nothing to assist the situation except generate more fear and negativity. When you panic, you cut yourself off from resolving the problem because holding on to fear blocks your creative power. Realize that there are an infinite number of possible solutions to any situation, but you don’t have access to them when you hold yourself in a state of panic.

The second most common reaction to job loss is blame. Of course you’re going to want to blame your job loss on your company, the management, or the economy. You may be completely justified in your blame, and your family and friends will probably agree with you. But blame is a detrimental reaction because it places all your personal power outside of yourself, into the hands of whomever you are blaming. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that on a deeper level, you may have chosen or created this situation. However it is only in releasing your position as a victim that you take back your ability to create something magnificent and new in your Life.

The most positive response to any negative circumstance is always complete and utter acceptance. There are no accidents in this Universe, and your job loss is no exception. Many people who live to tell the tale of such crises will tell you that it was the best thing that ever happened to them. You too have the ability to transform this situation into a blessing, if you make the decision to take on a new perspective.

Change Your Perspective

You are free to look at your job loss as a horrible misfortune but you are also free to look at it as a wonderful opportunity.

Take a moment to put aside the fear you’re holding regarding your future, and do some soul searching. Ask yourself if you really loved your job, because if you didn’t, losing it is really no big loss. I find it unfortunate that most people dislike their jobs, as Drew Carey pointed out when he said, “Oh, you hate your job? Why didn’t you say so? There’s a support group for that. It’s called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”

I see the humor in Drew’s statement, but living in misery because we hate 40 or more hours out of our 110 waking hours per week is not how we’re meant to spend our lives. Losing your job is a blessing if you didn’t like it in the first place. If you did love your job, the fact that you were living with purpose ensures that another opportunity is already on its’ way to you.

Explore Your Infinite Possibilities

Now is a great time to embrace the fact that as a spark of divine intelligence, you have infinite possibilities to choose from. Some helpful questions to ask yourself are:

• If I could be, do, or have anything, what would I choose?
• What is my dream job?
• How would I give of myself if I wasn’t concerned with money?
• What do I enjoy doing?
• What am I good at?
• How would I be of greatest service to others?

Start your new life with a new journal and begin by writing down the answers to all these questions. You may enjoy answering them at first but “get stuck” when your mind tells you that achieving what you really want in Life is not possible. In reality, the only thing standing between you and your dream life is your conditioned habit of impossibility thinking. In this case, re-programming your mind should be your #1 priority, because your mind is either your greatest asset or your greatest enemy.

Create a New Job

Once you’ve narrowed down your infinite possibilities into a goal or two, you can begin to create a new job. “Creating” a new job does not necessarily mean you are starting your own business. Even if you plan on working for someone else, you will “create” the opportunity with the thoughts you hold in your mind. Pay attention to how you feel, because your inner guidance system is constantly leading you into thoughts that are in alignment with what you truly desire in a career. With that in mind, it’s actually more productive for you to alter your thoughts until you feel emotional harmony rather than go out and look for another job. When you are in emotional harmony, opportunities are more likely to drop into your lap because of the law of attraction.

Affirmations are a great way to start the ball rolling, even if you don’t believe them at first. Through repetition, affirmations become lodged in your subconscious mind and eventually start to influence how you think and act in your everyday life. My favorite affirmation in regards to my work life is, “I rejoice in my employment”.

Remember that the primary purpose of your work life is not to earn money, it’s to feel joy by giving away your unique talents and skills. Money is a symbol of energetic exchange, so if you are looking for true wealth you will only find it in giving away product or service that is of high value to others. The most valuable thing you have to give is you, so keep that in mind when you are “creating” new opportunities.

Give Thanks

The quickest way out of despair is always gratitude. Begin by looking for things you are grateful for now. Write them down in a journal, and watch in amazement how the Universe multiplies the object of your focus by delivering more for you to be grateful for. Along with everything you are grateful for now, you can also be grateful for things that haven’t arrived yet. This is the simplest and quickest way to receive whatever it is that you desire, whether it be a job, relationship, or opportunity. The Universe speaks the language of emotion, and it is listening to your feelings. If you can generate the feelings you’ll have when you land your dream job, it won’t be long until it arrives on your doorstep.