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.