“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” –Alexander Graham Bell
This quote is particularly wise; I’ve experienced it many times myself and have helped others through times of change. That’s one of the things I find fascinating about coaching myself, actually: The coach doesn’t have to have a perfect life in order to help a client.
I’ve worked with lots of people who have lost their jobs in various ways. That almost always feels like a big door slamming, especially in a shaky economy where it might take many months to find new employment.
There’s a sense of loss and despair, and often several stages of shock and grief.
What’s the opportunity in that? Actually, there can be quite a few:
- The job was getting to an end anyway, no longer very interesting or challenging.
- Your focus was more on saving your job, rather than being valuable to your employer.
- You now have the time to look at new types of jobs.
- You might just want to start a business, become a consultant, buy a franchise, or some other kind of less-traditional approach.
- You have time to be with your family.
- You can evaluate a totally new career path.
- You have a great reason to get out there and network like crazy.
- You’ll learn new skills just through the process of change.
While you had a job, each of these things was significantly harder. In a way, losing a job can be a great gift of time and focus.
Yes, I know it doesn’t feel like it. You’re devastated. But work your way through that valley of despair, pull energy from your family and friends (and coach!) and look for those other doors which have opened.
They ARE there.