“We’re Letting You Go” – What to Do Next

“We’re letting you go.”

For those of us who have heard these words,  just reading them in can make us wince.

The new George Clooney movie, Up in the Air, is about being let go. I recommend it to anyone who’s in transition. (Grab a friend and head to a matinee; you’ll be glad you did.) Up in the Air is just like hell in the hallway. You may not choose it, but once you’re there, you have choices to make. Action is necessary, patience is key.

When I was young, I was fired from a job. Here’s the story. For one of my first jobs, I worked part time selling shoes. The store manager kept telling me to ask every customer if they wanted a purse, stockings and other ’stuff’ in addition to the shoes. The few times I tried it, the customer snorted at me. I didn’t like pushing items that people didn’t ask for.  I knew I wasn’t cut out for that kind of selling and so did my boss.  He gently “let me go” 2 weeks before Christmas.

Later in my career, when I was laid off from Eastman Kodak after 17 years; I was fortunate. I was offered several alternative positions but ultimately I took a package and left the company to start my own business.

Do you feel stuck or are you energized? Are you using your time wisely or are you worrying your days away? What are you teaching your children by your actions?

There are so many free interesting educational opportunities. Here is just one:  free video courses from Columbia, Yale, UCLA, Michigan and MIT.

Whether it’s continuing your education, upgrading your skills, finding a mentor, starting a business or deciding to change professions; you do not have to be afraid to hear those words. My favorite saying works at any time of the year:  change is good, timing is everything, patience is the key.