Friday, September 11, 2009

A Working Dad, Laid Off

In the blink of an eye…
… I was escorted into the conference room where my CEO was seated before my “Terms of Termination” file folder.
… I was one of hundreds of people in my town with my skills, my level of experience, a comparable professional background – and applying them all to the same open positions.
… I was defending each day’s busy agenda loaded with “meetings” and “projects” so my kids would not think less of their father.
… I was wondering just when it happened that a single generation created such a chasm between my father’s professional resume (two employers) and mine (9 and counting).

These, and hundreds of other fleeting thoughts, have circled through my mind in the eight months I’ve been laid off.

It’s hard to fight these detractors – these energy suckers – these ‘bad day’ seeds. But here’s what I’ve found most helpful in starting a day without them.

  • Write an affirmation stating your personal and professional self-worth. Read it aloud to start every day.
  • Connect with old business contacts and friends on the phone or online to set up a meeting with them for coffee or lunch. Meet in person and let them know what you’re looking for in your next job so they can keep an eye out. Ask them to recommend the name of one person who they feel you should meet with to expand your network. Then call that person, say your friend recommended them as a personal resource, and ask them to meet (they’ll meet with you more often than you think). When you meet, ask them for a similar name of a new contact. This is a great way to build your network.
  • Volunteer – at your kids’ school, at a local non-profit, for any organization that help other people. Give your time while you’ve got it.
  • Be honest with your kids. Explain to them why your previous company had to let go people like you. Explain what you’re doing to contribute to your part of the world each day whether it’s volunteering or working odd jobs in the meantime.
Although you may not have been a part of the decision that has put you in this situation, you will have to be a decision maker to change your situation.

I’ll continue writing, but it will be more on the topic of fatherhood. Being a participative dad is a big job in and of itself. So let’s keep talking about all we have to give as we walk down that road.

2 comments:

  1. What a wonderful and positive way to look at a difficult situation!! As the wife of a man who dangles at the end of his own fishing hook in a sea of hungry sharks while Senior Administration takes bites out of his ass, I can firmly agree with the affirmations. If you don't find a way to look at this positively, you will let them win. That, my friend is not an option!.

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  2. You've got so much talent - hang in there and trust that this is only a seson of life. Enjoy this time with your kids and use it wisely as it will pay dividends down the road. Nichole and I love you guys and are keeping you in our prayers. THanks for the blog

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