It’s not easy making lemons out of lemonade. Staying positive is not the immediate reaction to bad news.
Is it helpful to see the possibilities in unwanted life events? Yes, it is…but it’s not an automatic response and takes time! When we lose a job we loved (or at least liked) and a daily routine that kept us productive and an income that kept us afloat, it’s a stretch to say to friends and family “Well, this may be a good thing.” – and to believe it.
My recommendations:
Give it some time; mourn the loss, deal with the anger, let go of “If only I had…” regrets and acknowledge that the lemons are sour. This was not what you had planned. Your career has taken a detour.
Then, explore the possibilities.
Should you rigorously and exclusively pursue a job like the one you lost?
Or is this the time to take that detour and head in a different direction?
Most job seekers I know, want to replace what they had. That’s understandable. But first, a reality check.
Questions you should ask:
- What is the demand for the work I want to do? (Market trends)
- What will the demand be two years from now? Five years?
- Am I demonstrably more highly qualified than others?
- What information do I need to determine which course to take?
If your labor market research predicts growth in your field and you are more competitively positioned than most, you lemons to lemonade conversion will be relatively straightforward. If not, you will only be assured of making lemonade out of lemons if you have a plan B. Work on Plan A and nurture Plan B.
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