First, everything I write about really happened. I was laid off from my job in September of 2005. In 30 days I literally reinvented myself and started a new career.
After I started at my new job (I hate saying "job" as much as I hate the terms "supervisor", "wages", and "grievance"), I made it a point to get on a daily, weekly and monthly schedule of emails, phone calls and hand written notes to the contacts I have made and continue to make. I schedule at least two lunches a week with someone - a vendor, competitor, former co-worker, or person I would really like to get to know
Finally, winning the lottery is great. You get a big fat check (or several over the years) and you don't go to work any longer. (Un)fortunately, most of us will never go through this. We have to make our money one small check at a time and then carefully budget the proceeds.
Life and work are the same way.
We have to work at and plan all of our actions carefully and thoughtfully. And then wisely use the results of our work.
Thursday
Wednesday
Action!
When I woke up on Wednesday morning, it dawned on me: I had been fired the day before. As I lay in bed I realized I had no where to go that day. No meetings to attend, no emails to send, nothing. Panic began to set in.
I made a decision that morning which probably saved me from losing my mind.
I got up, showered, shaved and got dressed in my business clothes. I helped my wife with the kids. I took my daughter to school. I made a list of supplies I would need for my job search. I went to the office supply store. I picked up a new hard drive for my wife's old laptop (soon to be my "new" work computer). I bought a copy of Windows XP (overpriced but necessary for building my new computer). Basically, I went to work.
Unlike the past, however, I went to work for Me, Inc.
When I got home, I commandeered the home office which, up until now, had been my wife's base of operations. (She was none too happy about this state of affairs!).
I made a list of people I was going to contact.
- My customers from my former job.
- Professional contacts related to my former job and position.
- Professionals in related fields in which I had interest.
- Other friends and contacts.
My strategy:
- Inform all I am no longer with Company X.
- Let them know specifically what I would like to do "commissioned and quota driven technology sales related specifically to the field I was in".
- In all dealings remain positive, honest and ethical.
- I would not ask for a job - rather I would let them know of my situation and what my plans were.
- No whining allowed!
Lessons:
1) Act as though you still have a job - stay busy and keep a schedule.
2) Focus on both immediate and short term goals and see them through.
3) Remain positive and honest - with yourself and others.
I made a decision that morning which probably saved me from losing my mind.
I got up, showered, shaved and got dressed in my business clothes. I helped my wife with the kids. I took my daughter to school. I made a list of supplies I would need for my job search. I went to the office supply store. I picked up a new hard drive for my wife's old laptop (soon to be my "new" work computer). I bought a copy of Windows XP (overpriced but necessary for building my new computer). Basically, I went to work.
Unlike the past, however, I went to work for Me, Inc.
When I got home, I commandeered the home office which, up until now, had been my wife's base of operations. (She was none too happy about this state of affairs!).
I made a list of people I was going to contact.
- My customers from my former job.
- Professional contacts related to my former job and position.
- Professionals in related fields in which I had interest.
- Other friends and contacts.
My strategy:
- Inform all I am no longer with Company X.
- Let them know specifically what I would like to do "commissioned and quota driven technology sales related specifically to the field I was in".
- In all dealings remain positive, honest and ethical.
- I would not ask for a job - rather I would let them know of my situation and what my plans were.
- No whining allowed!
Lessons:
1) Act as though you still have a job - stay busy and keep a schedule.
2) Focus on both immediate and short term goals and see them through.
3) Remain positive and honest - with yourself and others.
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