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More than a few people have asked me what can they do to survive in the rough economy.The sentiment is wide ranging and far from unique. Here is a taste of what I’ve heard:
- I know layoffs are coming so how can I avoid getting canned?
- If my boss doesn’t like me, does it put my job in jeopardy?
- I don’t understand how they can cut our hours now?
- How can I get HR to help me so I don’t get laid off?
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Comments
12.09.08
Wow - what an incredible post. I think the lessons we learn about fear are really important. I think that some fear is normal, but you are right, you have to move past it if you hope to be functional. Everyone has different ways of dealing with fear - but figure it out - whether it's your religion, a psychologist, meditation, running, writing, there are a lot of choices.
My husband works in automotive, so he and I went through a phase of fear - but we eventually stopped being scared a made a plan A and a plan B and then put the issue to rest, it's out of our hands really. So now we're prepared for whatever might hit us and we aren't living in fear.
12.09.08
I understand where you're coming from but I think fear is a normal emotion. I think it's good to feel it, let it consume you for a while if you need to. Then take action--that makes the difference. If you're scared you can still move through something--you don't simply have to suck it up. But do respond thoughtfully once you've had time to feel it.
12.09.08
Milena - Another great personal example of having fear, acknowledging it, and then putting it to bed. Thanks for sharing.
Kristen - Overcoming fear (not "sucking it up") is the emphasis of this post. Sucking it up does nothing but band aid the problem. You have to rationalize it and come out of it eventually to make progress. This is a push to do it sooner rather than later.
12.09.08
Great advice, Lance. We really have to look the dragon in the face, which isn't easy. There's a recent New York Times Article titled 'In Hard Times, Fear Can Impair Decision-Making' that people might find helpful - I did.
12.10.08
Yep, here's a link to the article via Careerealism.
http://www.careerealism.com/2008/12/09/this-4-letter-word-is-your-career...
I think the key to combatting fear is a plan. Make an action plan and stick to it, because it gives you some sense of control over your scenario (even if it's a false sense of control). Anyway, it might be something as simple as gathering all professional contacts from your work computer/Rolodex, along with anything else that might help you in your job search. Do it NOW to be ready in case of a layoff. You might also try positive affirmations each day.
12.10.08
@Marsha - No it isn't easy. A fact I've had acknowledge a lot of!
@Hayli - First of all, congrats to Rise Smart for getting VC funding. And second of all, great advice. I should have included a component of having contingency plans helps relieve some of the fear very naturally.
12.11.08
Lance,
I always appreciate your honesty-it is so refreshing! great post.
You know what they say, "analysis=paralysis". The more control we try to have over a situation, the less control we actually have. Granted, the state of the economy is scary, but the more I hear people trying to explain what we are going to see in 10 years, the more I want to scream. The truth is ....No one really knows!!!! Let's keep moving.
12.16.08
Lance, thank you for such an insightful post. I do have this question:
How would you overcome your fear, if you were to lose your job? I've had some friends whose spouses have similar life threatening conditions which require intensive medical care, who have lost their jobs and their medical coverage. What can be done to help them from being paralyzed with the fear that their spouse will die without any medical coverage?
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