The news that you’ve been downsized can be one of the biggest lemons life hands you, but it can also be the base ingredient for a very tasty lemonade. It’s all in how you choose to react to the downsizing news.
Being terminated is rarely cause for immediate celebration, but the eventual outcome can be a very happy one. Here are five upsides to an unwanted, unexpected pink slip. A fresh perspective may be all you need to turn lemons into lemonade.
Freedom!
Often, although the initial reaction to being downsized is anger, grief, and fear, a few days later you may find yourself feeling mostly relieved. Organizations under stress are rarely relaxed and happy places to work: Your pink slip may just have been your “Get Out of Jail with a Severance Package” ticket! Acknowledge and enjoy the relief that comes from getting out of the corporate pressure cooker.
Breathing room.
Decide how much time you and your career can afford to rest, then take a break. Enjoy your family, take a relaxing vacation, and just breathe. Take the chance to play a little in a way you can’t while fully employed. A brief but significant break from workday stress can leave you refreshed and ready to conquer the world again.
New opportunities.
Have you been wishing to make a change in your job or career? If you’ve been stuck in an uncomfortable rut, now is the perfect time to dig deep and figure out what position or industry would make you a much happier executive. Take the time to think it through and make use of your outplacement package or consult an Executive Career Coach and figure out what else you can do with your skills and experience that will make you excited to get back to work.
Change of scenery.
Do you fit where you are? Have you ever wanted to be somewhere else? Now is the perfect time to open your job search up to relocation. Whether you’re dreaming of the coastal life on Vancouver Island, the bright lights of New York City, or the culture of London, now may be the perfect time to start investigating new job markets.
Grow your gold.
When someone hands you your hat and a severance package, it can be an insult to your ego, but it can also be a boost to your bottom line. Want to retire sooner? Aim for a short job search, pinch your pennies, and put your severance away for your future. Or use the sudden windfall to grow your investment portfolio. Make that money work for you and your goals, after all, you earned it!
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