There is a lot of talk about the job market in the news these days, from general woes about the broken economy, to state-wide crises involving job cuts, furloughs, pay cuts, etc.
If we put them side by side, our lists of top news items would probably differ some, but chances are we all are feeling the uncertainty of the time we live in.
When people are let go at work, others must pick up the work. Work once done at home but now sent out of the country leaves people in the lurch. Furloughs, reduced work hours, reorganization downsizing, it's a tough time in the work market!
A lower paycheck is where we feel it the most. That reduced income can leave you feeling anxious, stress rises; temper flares and all of a sudden your job just may not feel as great as it once did. In fact, at time you may wish you could just quit! Have you had those feelings?
What’s the best way to cope? How can we take care of ourselves in times of uncertainty?
Let me assure you, there is action you can take. Basic self-care is crucial now – you may need to take a break, time off, a sick day or just that vacation that you have been putting off. However, besides the importance of self-care there are other ways to lessen your stress, ease the panic and prepare yourself for the future.
It’s easy to feel worn out and stress can slow us down and we want to do nothing. But it’s better to be proactive instead of just reactive. Instead of giving up, it’s the time to get busy. Getting busy will re-energize your mind, spirit and body.
Here are six ways to handle the stress of job uncertainty.
1. Observe. Begin to observe the opportunities around you. Be aware of what is happening in your organization as well as in other organizations. Pay less attention to gossip and inform yourself of the facts.
2. Network. Connect with other people. Let others know what you are up to.
3. Prepare. Get your resume updated. Be sure it looks professional, crisp and succinct.
It’s better to be prepared than to wait for the worse to happen.
4. Explore. Sit down and write out a list of all the jobs you might be interested in. Explore what is happening in your field by going on the Internet. Branch out into related fields. What jobs really interest you?
5. Ignite. Get back in touch with that earlier passion you had. What was it that once excited you, intrigued you, fascinated you? It’s not too late to find that job you always wanted.
6. Wait. If you've taken the other five steps, you are prepared to advantage of opportunities that may come your way. The energy is working in your favor. Things will begin to happen. Be patient.
Remember – you are at choice. And that’s a great place to be. It’s up to you to help yourself, by not giving up hope, being good to yourself and being practical about the future. Trust your instincts.
My story of job loss
I remember going through a period of high stress after losing a job as a result of reorganization. It was my first job after my divorce, I had moved to a new city to take it and then, all too soon it was over. It felt like a personal disaster. I was scared and feeling pretty low. I had no idea what I would do next. But I started networking, took an inventory of my education and skills, and made a decision to look openly at any job offer that came my way, even if I had to move again to take it.
After about nine months I received a job offer from a company I knew very little about at the time - Habitat for Humanity International. The offer was a direct result of the networking I had done, a referral from someone I had spoken to. It was over 2,500 miles away, connected with my passion and I took it. I traveled worldwide working with great leaders and teams in the process of collabortively building and implementing a 5 year strategic plan. I contributed a lot and I gained a lot. It was exactly the job I needed at that time. The job loss opened up possibilities that I otherwise would not have even considered. And that can happen for you as well.
Whatever you do, the goal is to re-empower your mind, to feel better and to get energized. Give yourself time and patience. A better day will come, and taking the steps above will help you be prepared. You’re strong and you will get through this.
