Tuesday, Sept. 5 started off a little different for me. It was my daughter’s first day of kindergarten, so there was a ton of excitement. I hopped in the car after getting her on the bus and headed to work.
I got in the office at 9 a.m., by 9:25, my boss told me I was being let go. So, I grabbed a box, packed up my stuff and around 9:45 a.m., I walked out the door for the last time.
It’s no secret that I have wanted to start my own business for a while now, but I never expected to lose my job before that happened.
The minute I got let go, I thought of Matt Cheuvront, the man behind Life Without Pants and one of the great folks at Proof Branding. Matt wrote a post in early 2010 when he lost his job.
One of the three pieces of wisdom he wrote was:
I’m upset – I’m sitting here, writing this, two hours after being fired. The blogger and writer within said that this is something I need to write about, to vent, for closure, for support, and to look back on later and appreciate that every single thing happens for a reason – that it’s all a part of the journey. But it’s also OK, from time to time, to wear you emotions on your sleeve. You can’t see me right now, which is probably a good thing, but believe me, I’m a little broken down. The battle may have been lost, but not the war, right?
My first hours after losing my job were filled with anger, hope, frustration, and enthusiasm. What am I going to do? How am I going to make ends meet?
Well, first things first. I got home, sat down, and started planning my next steps. I looked at what I had been working on to start my own business eventually. Now, I put those things into serious motion.
If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re destined to fail.
Sure, I had my moments of doubt. Can I do this? Am I good enough? I keep coming back to the belief that I know I can make it on my own. Why shouldn’t hold true to that. Just because I was let go, doesn’t mean I stink. I believe in my skills, my knowledge, and that businesses need a solid communications plan, involving the marriage of social media and public relations.
If you have lost your job, be ticked. It’s fine. But don’t let the anger and frustration consume you. This isn’t the end of your career. It’s the start of a new journey with better results!
How are you moving forward after losing your job. Let me know in the comments!
One Guy's Journey 
Good Luck, I have every faith you’ll have success!
Thanks Andrew!
Jas sorry to hear about the job loss mate. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help, you are a smart dude and will make it work.
Jeff,
Already hard at work, buddy. Thanks for your offer and always appreciate your kind words.
Hey Jason – so sorry to hear that but you are destined for bigger and better things!!! I’m sure it’s a blessing in disguise 🙂 We’ll be thinking of you and keep the faith!
Thanks Megan!
Onward and upward… and you are right, it has been a blessing in disguise. 🙂
I had no idea you lost your job. You’re a very driven guy with a lot of great advice, so best of luck to you! I know you’ll be fine.
Much appreciate Danny!
Hey Jason, I’m sorry to hear that. Let me know if there is anything I can do to be helpful. I’d be very surprised if this didn’t turn out to be a blessing in the long run. You seem to have the right positive attitude to make it all work.
Paul,
It’s been a blessing so far actually. I’m a lucky person and I’m very appreciate of your kind words and support.
My dad always told me, “Failure is not an option.” I feel like that’s the best thing to keep in mind when faced with a challenge. When it’s not an option, you are forced to make decisions that keep you moving forward
I know that you’ll do amazing though. And, you happen to have a great support network to vent/bounce ideas!
Thanks Rachel!
Your dad is a smart man and I like the way he thinks. Failure isn’t an option for me, either. 🙂
Jason,
My dad lost his job while I was in grammar school and we were worried as a family. What I took away from the experience, and hold to this day, is maintaining the attitude that you will succeed. Your positive outlook and dedication to the industry will take you far. Having witnessed that experience I appreciate how my parents handled the situation and it continues to motivate me. Can’t wait to see what’s next in your journey!
Stephanie
Stephanie,
I’m glad you shared that. It’s something I’ll keep in mind as I go forward, since I have a young family. My best to you and thanks for being such a great person! 🙂
Great blog piece. Sorry to hear about your job loss but with your drive and vision, I am sure you’ll land on your feet.
Thanks for your kindness, Casey!
Hey Jas. Don’t know you, but wanted to let you know I’ve been through similar. Was fired for blogging, way back in 2004, actually. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, since not only was it unexpected (though I, too, had been starting my own thing), it was also unfair.
But it ended up being the best thing ever. Wrote a book, started a couple of projects, and eventually stumbled into a startup that I grew, ran and loved for more than 5 years.
My life wouldn’t be where it was without my dickalope boss firing me over the same thing he hired me to do.
So chin up, take a deep breath, and then show’em what you’re made of 🙂 Anyone with the balls to write this kind of post will more than rise to the occasion 🙂
Jeremy,
I’m grateful for you stopping by the blog to comment. Very much appreciated. I plan on succeeding! Please keep in touch… would love to chat further.
Jason
Hey Jason:
I’m really sorry to hear this. But once again, true to form, you find a way to see the bright side of a tough situation. That’s why you’re a role model and inspiration to many young pros, myself included. We all can learn a thing or two about keeping a positive attitude.
Get that business started. Kick some ass and never look back, except as a reflection on where this new journey started.
In the meantime, let me know if I can help with anything. And we really have to get that beer sooner or later…
Take care, bud.
Tim
Hey Tim!
I like what you said as far as never looking back, except to reflect. I plan on doing that.
And yes, we need to get that beer soon. I do have some time now. 🙂
Best,
Jason
The same thing happened to me in June 2010. I walked into the office thinking it was a normal day, and was told my position had been eliminated. It totally blindsided me, and it took me a while to recover. You are totally right about the importance of believing in yourself. I would also recommend keeping an open mind. Honestly though, I have no doubt that you will be snatched up by some smart company in no time!
Hi Sam!
My wife said the same thing about keeping an open mind. That’s another blessing, having my better half always supporting me.
I appreciated you sharing your story. It stinks to be blindsided, but in the end, you ended up in pretty good shape. 🙂
You definitely do not stink! I know you know that. And after a year of being on the spousal side of job loss, I am not sure I am in the perfect position to rah rah rah. BUT I agree with your points, and I encourage you to not feel that you are isolated in this — although there are plenty of people who may have always said, “if you need anything call me” and turn out to not actually mean it or not be able to follow through, the vast majority WILL help. If I can do anything let me know – and I DO mean it. 🙂
Paula,
I’ve always known you to mean EVERYTHING you say. I’m thankful for your words and kindness. I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon.
Jason
That sucks but look at it as a blessing in disguise brother. Start your business up. Do what you knew you wanted to do deep down. You’re a good dude and you’re totally capable of building something from the ground up.
Of course, if I can help in any way, shoot me a line. Happy to just chat or help however I can.
Jason –
So sorry to hear of your job loss. I lost mine – very publicly – only a few months ago. Google “Vanessa Williams” and “LVEDC” if you’re interested in my story.
Last year my husband and I were laid off at the same time for five months. This year we’ve found ourselves in the same circumstance. You can, and will, survive this in ways that you can’t even imagine.
An unexpected layoff has a way of sucking the air out of you. But like you said, you can’t wallow and let it consume you. Know that a job is just a job, and doesn’t define you.
You seem to have a great attitude and a large supporting community of friends and business colleagues. Consider yourself plus one in that. 🙂
Best of luck to you and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Vanessa
Vanessa,
My thanks for you taking the time to leave a kind message. Getting laid off isn’t fun, but I’m viewing at a “glass half-full opportunity.” You are dead on… a job doesn’t define you.
I look forward to continuing to chat via Twitter!
Best,
Jason
Hey there, today I lost my job, I was working there for while. This was everything I had really, to pay of my bills and the school debt I had. It was a horrible moment, I was frustrated and had all kind of mixed emotiones going on with me. The reason why I was fired was really stupid, it made no sense that they fire me just cause. Reading your article made me feel a lot better, thank you!
The exact same happened to me. I went to work the one morning and by 10am I learnt that I was being asked to quit. This was after 10 years service at that company.
I met my boyfriend whilst in holiday 2014. He is a musician. He was working in a pub doing live music. It was such a chilled environment. And everyone loved his music. When I left to come back home he had decided he wanted to follow me. I am from South Africa and he is from the Phillipines. But we met in Phuket Thailand. In the last year or so I really have been thinking of opening a pub just like the one in Phuket. Me with the business mind and him with the talent, I’m sure if we found the right spot for a pub it will do very well. I insisted on some sort of payout from my company for the amount of years I had worked there. They agreed. But during all this time my father became very ill. My parents live with me as they are both elderly. So it has set me back with a lot of debt paying for all medical bills, medication, etc. So I had no choice but to take out loans for assistance. This of course has put me in a situation where I have not been able to pay a lot off as my debt repayments amount to more than what I was taking home. It has got to the stage whereby I am being constantly contacted by debt collectors. Some of which have even been to my house. My boyfriend had to go back to the Philippines as the visa he had at the time was a vacation all visa. But also I couldn’t afford to look after him as well. So when I received my payout I have tried to pay off as much as I could. There is still a lot to pay off. So I am feeling very despondent about my pub. I have no capital and currently cannot get anymore loans as I have tried and have been declined.
I am at the stage right now that I really don’t know which way to turn anymore. I have had to keep some of my payout to have it to pay the debts at the end of this month again.
I really need help, assistance, positive motivation, to pick my spirit up again.
Thank you