Transitions

Just like the snap of the fingers, 16 years on the job came to an end. It was a Monday morning, a start to a brand new week. Shockingly I found I was selected for a “reduction in force.” No I am not here to bash the company I worked for. Am I upset? Yes. Am I a bit angry? Sure. Mostly disappointed and disillusioned with a place where I invested so much of my life. It is also a place where I still have some wonderful friends. But layoffs happen. I am thankful for the severance and job search help. It has been a while since I had to look for a job.

Seems like all of life is one transition that leads to another. Some transitions we choose and others are thrust upon us. So it is with my current reality. About a week after I was no longer employed, the box in the photo arrived. Mostly it contained the personal items I used to make my humble cube a little more like home. It also contained a few awards and recognitions that sadly don’t hold the meaning they once did. After 16 and half years, that box is the only tangible/physical item left over. Just one cardboard box.

What Now?

One purpose of writing this post is to help me process well this transition. I also hope what I write will encourage others who find themselves in a similar transition. Here are some thoughts I hope will help us move forward.

 Look forward

It took me a day or two to get through the initial shock, but I knew I could not spend mental capital dwelling on what might have been nor what I think should have been. It is time to move on to new opportunities and adventures of life. Yes we can learn from our past but our real impact will be in how we handle this present moment and how we position ourselves for the future.

Clarify what is important

Now is the perfect time to take stock of what is truly important in life.  What really matters? Things such as family, work life balance, what work do you really want to do to make an impact? Take the time to actually write these out. It is amazing how writing helps bring clarity.

Core values

Take time to drill down even further and clarify your core values. Your honesty, integrity, and your work ethic are just a few examples. No matter what unexpected transition you have experienced, it does not change who you are. Now is a good time to re-evaluate your goals and shore up you own personal growth plan.

Stay busy

I am doing my best to keep my normal work hours. A large portion of that time is spent with the job search. If you haven’t already, submit that first application. I can’t tell you how mentally freeing I felt when I got the first application submitted. Be sure and take time to work on some side projects or hobbies. I am working on a few personal writing projects, doing some IT training (ServiceNow and Project Management) and I am keeping up with reading good books.

Don’t go it alone

I took the first couple days reaching out to my co-workers who were also laid off. I was then blessed to have several of my friends who were not laid off reach out to me. That meant a lot. I always hoped my impact was more than just my assigned duties.

This the perfect time to spend time with family and friends. Be sure and let your most trusted friends know what is going on. I am blessed beyond measure with a wonderful family. My Christian faith and community have been a huge support.

I am also grateful that in just one week from when this post goes live I will be starting a new job. Quickly I am transitioning again from unemployed to a new job. It has been a while since I was the new guy at work. I am grateful for God’s provision and looking forward to this new adventure in life.

What about you? Is there anything else you are doing, or something you have done in the past that has helped you through an unexpected transition?

Transitions come and we must be proactive and intentional to handle them well. If we do, success with something new is just around the corner.

This post was originally shared on LinkedIn

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.