EditorialsBy Matt Bud, Chairman, The FENG

No matter what the crisis, it is a natural human instinct to try to put your life back together again.

When it comes to the end of a long job search, the instinct is no different. Understand that you have been in crisis. And, the crisis probably didn’t begin at the exact moment you lost your job. Most likely there was also a period of time prior to that when you were preparing for the possibility of a search.

In terms of a life crisis, job search ranks right up there. Talk about having to put your life on hold and doing without. When your income drops to zero, the necessary belt tightening can’t help but affect you, especially if your search goes on for a long time.

So, now you have found a new job. Count yourself lucky. During the Great Recession there were lots of folks who didn’t find anything worth considering. Now at least you can get yourself arrested.

But, if you were expecting your life to return to normal, think again. First of all, there isn’t any such thing. Job search is filled with highs and lows, but after you find a new job you will shortly come to the realization that life isn’t what it used to be. How could it be? Even if your new job is one of your dreams, and most turn out to be a nightmare of sorts, there is no “going home again.”

Life is just a point in time. If you want to believe that there was a dreamy existence just before you lost your job, think again. Weren’t there problems in your life, just as there are now? Wasn’t money an issue, just like it is now? (With a few possible exceptions, no one ever has enough money.)

In the book, A Road Less Traveled, the author clarifies one of the world’s great misunderstandings when he explains: Life is difficult.

Trying to put your life back together in EXACTLY the way it was before is not only impossible, but is also not a smart thing to do. Your experience with job search has actually made you stronger and smarter. (Anything that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. However, I don’t know if it makes you smarter.)

Not only do you now know that you can lose a job, you also know that you can find another one. It may have taken a while, and it may not be all you hoped it would be, but you are working again and bringing in a pay check. Be proud of that.

Whether you are delighted with your new “station” in life or not, it really doesn’t matter. What you have done is created a base on which you can build the foundation of your new life going forward. Like the home you live in or the car you drive, all things are built one stick or part at a time.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither does your “new” life need to be. Give yourself a break and take the time to rebuild in WHATEVER way you like. When you really stop to examine it, your past life wasn’t such a “be all end all” anyway.

I have great confidence that your future will be bright. After all, I am the eternal optimist, and I hope you will become one too.

Regards, Matt

Comments are closed.

OUR SPONSORS:

cfo