I read an interesting article in USA Today recently, which profiled seven people who unexpectedly lost their job, then turned around to create a situation better than the one they lost.
From a bus driver to a piñata maker, each of these very different individuals used the negative experience of being laid off to make an even bigger, positive change.
I know it’s hard to believe, but not everyone who has been put out of work is wasting away. Some of them have completely changed their lives to create a much better situation for themselves.
The interesting thing was reflected in a quote used halfway through the article: “If they hadn’t been pushed, they never would have taken the leap.” In most cases, the people who jumped off to a new adventure had ideas before the push came, but ideas without action are just dreams.
I’d summarize the article, and the decisions these brave individuals made, like this:
1. Change sucks. Most of us will accept a lame status quo as long as it keeps us going.
2. When change is forced upon us, wham! We realize that maybe it’s time to make a better change.
3. All things being equal, it’s usually better to try than not to. Failure be damned.
Here’s another quote that seems appropriate:
“Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: you have no one to blame.” -Erica Jong
Yes, that’s hardcore. But so is unexpectedly losing your job. And so is striking out to do something totally different. Is it any wonder that 300+ of the Fortune 500 companies were founded during times of economic stagnation?
Think about this:
- Instead of being a complete catastrophe, a global meltdown is an opportunity for positive life change.
- Instead of finding security in a job, find security in your own competence.
- Instead of defining self-employment as inherently risky, maybe conventional employment is the real risk. (I know I certainly wouldn’t risk putting my future in someone else’s hands.)
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An article in USA Today naturally profiles Americans, but those of us in this part of the world aren’t the only ones experiencing a blend of hardship and growth. Valur in Iceland sent me this note recently:
I got fired in the economic collapse in Iceland last October. Although a tragedy for my nation, this has proven a stroke of luck and source of inspiration for my personal growth for both me and many of my fellow countrymen.
A few weeks after the crash in October 2008 I created what you could describe as a small legacy project that even got featured in the Financial Times. It also made me the highest monthly salary I’ve had so far. All this, thanks to losing my IT job in the finance sector.
Best regards,
Valur Thor, Iceland
Not everyone who gets fired will get in the newspaper, of course. Not everyone will start a business or find their dream job.
But hard times force us to take another look at what we’re really doing. Are we waiting for a push to take our leap?
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‘Recession Is Just a Word’ Image by Rich
October 27, 2009
Susan M. Baker
Chris,
This is inspiring…I work with clients on this very mindset all the time…sometimes it does just take a “push”…I firmly believe that every dark period produces a renaissance and that yes, entrepreneurialism is exploding during this economic recession, even Entrepreneur Magazine included an article last year about MBA applications spiking during a time when you wouldn’t expect it…people who have put their dreams on the shelf for too long have to wake up when they suffer a loss like that of a job – you hit the fork in the road and you have to make a choice, one way more than likely leads to more mediocrity and the suppression of dreams, the other road may be scary, but personally I can’t think of much more frightening than not pursuing something you love and trying it. I urge anyone going through this series of decisions to strongly consider starting a business doing something you’re passionate about…it can make all the difference.
October 28, 2009
Patrenia
I believe in this wholeheartedly. I have always had a strong faith and have known that no matter what my path was divinely paved. If a door closed, there had to be a reason and there was something better in store. We can’t see it at the time and it’s hard to sometimes accept, but we cannot force life. We have to live it and accept the challenges that come. When we resist change, we miss the blessing or opportunity that is to follow.
October 28, 2009
Robert
I completely digg the positivity here. Life turn out best for the people who make the best of the way life turns out.
October 28, 2009
Paul Sabaj
It has been said that when you find work that you love the rest will come. I worked as a Firefighter for 29 years and retired due to health. It’s a young persons game. Now as I search for the second career I love the inspiration I get from the blog and all the comments every one contributes. Thanks and to all a great week. Good hunting
October 28, 2009
Srinivas Rao
I always say the ongoing mantra of all self help is “Life isn’t about what happens to you, but how you react to it.”
October 29, 2009
Tess The Bold Life
I think losing your job makes one and their family reevalute one’s entire life. My husband lost his job and being 58 it’s not easy beginning again. Wall St. Journal says anyone finding a job can expect to be let go again in 3 years.
That did it. He decided to begin his own biz. Has it been easy no. Has it been challenging yes. We haven’t fought for years and we found ourselves fighting over the stupidest things for a while. All of course coming out of fear. Fear of the unknown etc.
I’m not sure there is such thing as a stable job today. This teaches on to be open and live in the moment more. Who knows what life will bring anyone? Nobody!
Life can change in an instant…good or bad. It’s just that this is the first time so many of us in the USA have been in this position together.
An opportunity for all to grow and learn and keep movin’ forward all the while enjoying the moment or day.
October 29, 2009
Havana
Something I’ve been surprised to find in my economic classes is the fact that money is just a symbol of value and depends on the confidence of the population is such a vital foundation to understand world economy and finance. Hell, there’s even a “Consumer’s Price Index.” Inflation happens because there is more money in circulation, yes, but it also happens because people BELIEVE there is too much money or money is easier to come by, i.e. low interest rates.
The recession happened from fluctuations in confidence! Recessions are manmade and as long as people have such low confidence in the marketplace, it will continue to be a problem. Instead of blaming everything on the economy, make better decisions! Don’t take out that mortgage if you can’t pay it off. Blaming it on the economy seems, to me, like a cop-out from investigating our own actions …
October 31, 2009
Jackie
Yeah, many times adversity pushes people to do the things they could have done all along if they had only known it. But we don’t have to wait for an outside force, we can give ourselves that push as well.
November 8, 2009
Andre
I am so glad that I found this article. It’s something that I often tell other people, about being booted out of their comfort zones — and now, it’s ME getting the boot. Being laid off from a job that I was growing very restless with has actually been one of the best things that has happened. I am much more focused about what it is I want to do and am seriously working on redesigning and refining my new life. It’s great to find a community of like minded people.
November 9, 2009
Havana
@Andre That’s great to hear!
What have you used that opportunity to do, if you don’t mind me asking?
November 11, 2009
Cameron
I’m definitely on the being-laid-off-was-the-best-thing-to-happen-to-me side of the fence; that push was the Universe demanding that I stop procrastinating, stop making excuses, stop living cautiously and really pay attention to where my heart was compelling me.
February 12, 2010
Raffi
I once told my tween daughters: Pretend there’s a roller coaster. Would you rather be the person standing next to it with a clipboard weighing risks and thinking about physics — or the person riding it first with your hands in the air screaming the whole way?
Please scream your way through life!
February 24, 2010
Ian
Quotes I enjoy.
“It is never too late to become what you might have been” George Eliot.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain