Millions of people lose their jobs every year. It's a fact of life - even the most successful companies fail, and hundreds of people lose their jobs whenever they change management. It can be tricky, especially if you have dependents or a mortgage to pay.
It can also ruin your sense of security and confidence, which can lead to an endless cycle of depression and anxious feelings. However, your negative emotions and anxiety will vanish if you learn to manage your disappointment.
Although you may feel hopeless because of losing a job, it doesn't have to be this way.
So what can you do to deal with the disappointment?
Try these tips:
1. Remain calm about the situation.
It's natural to feel anger towards your former employer, especially if they misbehaved or the job loss was unexpected. However, getting angry will only make you feel worse.
So instead, spend your time doing something productive that you enjoy. Anger will also not lead you anywhere. Losing your cool can even harm your chances of getting another job. A future recruiter who learns about your angry episode is unlikely to consider you.
2. Try to seek clarification.
It's a good idea to ask for details concerning your termination. You don't want to be blindsided by a question like, “Were you fired because you weren't good at your job?”
When you know the real reason behind your termination, you'll be better able to deal with the situation. A detailed official statement also helps you identify areas that you can improve on in the future.
And if you find that your termination resulted from discrimination, you can take legal action and fight for compensation for the losses you suffered. It's easy to see why it's essential to remain calm at all times.
3. Battle the urge to entertain negative self-talk.
It can be tempting to blame yourself for your termination. And it's easy to think, "Is there someone wrong with me?" Those words can quickly turn into self-denial.
It's essential to fight the urge to engage in negative self-talk. Avoid blaming yourself for what happened. Focus on your accomplishments and your positive qualities. And take steps to work on improving on areas that may be lacking.
When negative thoughts crop up, push them away. Replace them with positive statements.
Some of the most successful people in the world faced failure after failure. Think of Abraham Lincoln, Oprah, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Barack Obama. These leaders didn't let setbacks stop them from succeeding.
When you deal with disappointment, remind yourself that failure is a part of life.
4. Plan your financial situation.
Feelings of disappointment from a job loss stem from the lack of a stable income. Therefore, it’s important to plan and figure out if your severance pay is enough to cover your expenses until you find a new job.
Figure out how much money you have at your disposal. Create a budget. A reasonable budget associated with changes in your lifestyle can ease the discomfort associated with joblessness.
It can be very tempting to give up because there's no cash at the end of the month. But with the right financial plan, you can keep your head above water.
5. Never give up.
You may have lost your job, but there are still plenty of job opportunities out there. It may take weeks or months to find a new job. You might feel like giving up. Do not give up! Your next job offer can come unexpectedly.
Put in extra time to find a great job. And when it seems as if there's no end in sight, know that it will eventually be over.
Losing a job is frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. Accept that, and you'll find another job in no time. Remember to keep your wits about you. Don't burn bridges. When an interviewer asks about former jobs, be positive.
Mention things that you did well and that you enjoyed your time there. Don't let disappointment lead you to lash out at a future interviewer or your previous company.