Fired and Loving It!
CBN.com – Every week I hear from more people who have been unexpectedly fired or laid off. Yes, I know, the fancy terms like "released to pursue other options" or "part of a reduction in force" or "promoted to the mobility pool" may not sound like "You're Fired," but the feeling is the same.
So where do you go with that news—with the solid information that you're of no value to the organization? Or what does that mean? Have you been confronted with a dead-end or given the opportunity to redefine your own path to ultimate success?
I just wrote an article for the AARP magazine (Nov/Dec edition) and addressed some key issues regarding unexpected change.
Our identity and sense of fulfillment cannot be dependent on a traditional job.
Recognize the natural seasons in nature. When we see a tree with no leaves, nothing but bare branches, we know that tree isn't dead. Rather, it's in a particular season, and in that time the tree is reaching deep for nourishment and will blossom with new color and more growth in the springtime. You can do the same in your own "seasons." Expect new vision, growth, and fulfillment as you enter those new springtimes in your own life.
If we are paying attention, times of change can wake us up to our dreams and a calling that may be yet unfulfilled. Life experience is a wonderful teacher and clarifier. You may find that the retirement you are facing or the job loss you've experienced has been the jolt to re-awaken those early dreams and passions. Transitioning from a full career to the next season in your life may be just the opportunity to fully engage in your calling. For some, it may be the first time in your life you've had the time freedom to allow that calling to blossom.
I love the stories of people who used being fired as a time to make a fresh start in a more productive direction. J.K. Rowling was fired for writing short stories on her computer. She used her severance pay to help finance the first Harry Potter novel. Now a billionaire, she's ranked as the world's second-wealthiest female entertainer, after Oprah Winfrey.
Here are some other well-known individuals who were sent packing by a former employer. But instead of singing the blues, they used the unexpected break to get clear on some plans of their own: Pink Slip Millionaires.
Dream, Imagine, Plan, and Act
In July of 2006 Cassandra Dickerson joined us in Orlando, FL for the MegaBook Marketing University. We were all enamored by her enthusiasm and the clarity of what she wanted her first book to be.
And now it's finished. In Well Done: Lessons on Leaving a Legacy, Cassandra addresses questions like: Have we fulfilled God's purpose for our being here? Have we lived and loved well? Are we leaving a legacy?
You can also check out her Web site, www.welldoneonline.com, for more resources on leaving your own great legacy.
This is another example of having a clear idea, creating a plan of action, and then ACTING on that plan. Dream, imagine, plan, act—that's the sequence for going from where you are to where you want to be.
Humor: He Doesn't Get It
A recent college graduate was being interviewed for a job to start September 1st. "You'll get $650 a week to start off," the boss told him. "Then in January that will be raised to $800 a week."
"That's great," the prospect says. "How about if I take that European trip I've been wanting and just come back in January?"
Helpful Tips
Are You a Winston Churchill?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the Computerized Personality Report. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!
One in Four Reads No Books
According to an Associated Press poll, 27% of Americans read no books last year. Among that group, reasons given are that they would rather just spend time in the backyard or watching TV. The poll shows that these people "tend to be older, less educated, lower income, minorities, from rural areas and less religious." Go figure.
Helium Balloons Give Dude a 193-Mile Ride
Now you had to dream about this as a kid. What if you took a bunch of helium balloons and tied them together? Could you give yourself a ride in the air? Kent Couch attached 105 balloons to a lawn chair and took a nine-hour ride he'll never forget. What have you done that's remarkable?
DUKG Christian T-Shirts
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Dan Miller is the bestselling author of 48 Days To The Work You Love and a renowned Life Coach specializing in career fulfillment. His weekly newsletter reaches 70,000 subscribers. Dan’s articles are featured here at CBN every Tuesday, and you can find out more about Dan at www.48days.com.
