Does my life have a rewind button?

Today’s topic comes from a reader who wrote, "I would love to see your ideas on layoff's and how people are coping;” and are things “really getting better?" First of all, let me say thank you for the comment and inspiration for this post.

Being laid off is not the type of experience you hope to have in your career. It is not something they prepare you for in school. When it was my turn in April, it initially felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under me. I had waves of emotion ranging from complete shock and anger, to relief and excitement about the prospect of starting something new.

Things are tough and may very well get worse in the coming months. How you process and move through the experience is all a matter of perspective. There are people around the country struggling to make ends meet while attempting to find steady employment. Some will turn inward and shut down because of fear, rejection, anger and hopelessness. Those who can tap into their emotional reserves to be resilient and find the courage to think outside the box will be the ones who ride out the storm and find new direction.

If you or someone you know has been laid off, here are some coping strategies to help create a mindset for successfully navigating the transition:

Reflect on your work experience and find the value in it. Make a list of all the skills you acquired, contributions you made and special projects you spearheaded. You want to go into an interview in a position of strength, confident about all you have to offer a prospective employer that sets you apart from your competition.
Make a list of all the contacts with whom you had great business relationships. Start networking with them. Having worked with you, they have the ability to offer endorsements that might get you in the right door, or land you the position you have always wanted. Every article I’ve read on finding a job in this market talks about the importance of networking, networking and more networking. The friend of a friend might know of the perfect opportunity that you otherwise would never have found.
Don’t waste time wallowing in perceived misfortune. Invest in your mind, heart, body and spirit to reenergize, refocus, learn something new, and begin thinking about all the possibilities before you. No one but you can limit your potential.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and have always wanted to own a business, there is no better time than the present. The economic climate and growing unemployment crisis is causing people to rethink their future and find creative ways to carve out their own niche. Consult with your friends, mentors and family to see if this might be the right fit for you.

I am blazing my own entrepreneurial trail and am loving every minute of it! But each person must do what their gut is calling them to do. Your life is what you make it, so don’t let anyone sell you a different story. We are not defined by our circumstances, so create the future that you have always wanted. Instead of a layoff being a tragedy, it could be your greatest opportunity for change. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” - so put on your dancing shoes and join me!

Thank you for reading and be well.

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In my experience, really special friends are a rare blessing in life. There are so many different levels of friendships, but the deepest and closest ones are the most cherished and enduring. People are continually coming in and out of our lives. Each one touches us and we are forever changed. Through every encounter, whether brief or lengthy, good or bad, we grow just a bit more and have something new to offer those whose lives we touch.

When I met my best friend several years ago, from the first moment it felt like I had found my long lost sibling. My life has been so much richer through knowing and loving my soul sister. My only sadness is that we live hundreds of miles apart. But when I connect with her, I feel as though we were never separated.

There are others in my life, some new and some old, with whom I have shared an instant connection. They are held near and dear to my heart. These are the friendships worth fighting for. But to use the analogy of a gardener tending to her beautiful flowers, she must water and nurture and regularly care for them. Friendships work the same way. If we allow ourselves to get wrapped up in the busyness of life, neglecting those we care about, we will begin to drift apart and the friendship will wither. It happens ever so slowly in the beginning, but if left unattended, we are carried apart as if caught in a rip current.

If there are people from your past with whom you long to reconnect, have the courage to reach out to them today. Life is brief and there might not be a tomorrow you can afford to wait on. Treat your friends like the precious gifts they are and appreciate the richness each one brings to your life. You would not be who are today if you had not touched each other’s lives yesterday.

I have added a Share button at the top of the page. Please forward this message to those you think might be inspired by it. My dream is to reach as many people as I can with thoughts to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.

Feel free to click on the Comment link at the end of this message and let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback! I invite you to subscribe to my blog by clicking on the Follow link above. If you would like to receive daily posts via email direct to your Inbox simply visit my website http://www.ALifeOutsideTheBox.com and sign up today.