Workplace

Nobody wants to hear the words, “We’re going to have to let you go.” In fact, according to the New Harvard Guide to Health, losing a job is #4 on the list of the most stressful life events, just ahead of pregnancy and the death of a close friend. But there are ways to make your unexpected upheaval a little easier. We found these survival tips in Shape magazine:

• Call on your closest friends. Experts say that you should count on the people who’ll just let you cry or stare blankly at the TV for hours in their living room. You’re allowed to feel sorry for yourself for a little while. But then you need people who will say, “Okay, that’s enough,” and make you snap out of it.
• Be honest with yourself. By owning up to what happened, you’re one step closer to moving on with your life. For example, when White House head chef Walter Scheib was “relieved” of his position after 11 years, he was the first to admit that he didn’t meet the needs of the new president. And facing the facts helped him let go of the idea that his firing was unfair, and he was able to get past it faster.
• Banish the “coulda, woulda, shouldas.” Stop thinking of all the things you should’ve said when you were getting fired. There’s probably nothing that would have changed their mind. And remember, it’s already over. And dwelling on what might have been just keeps you from moving forward. So, let it go!
• Figure out why you were fired. If you made a mistake, learn from it. If not, learn from the situation.
• Turn the negative into a positive. A lot of people are experts in rejection, including salespeople, actors, and writers. So, how do they deal with it? By telling themselves: “I don’t want to work where I’m not wanted.” So, remind yourself that you’re still a smart, accomplished, wonderful person who will find another job. And know this: most people today will have at least 3 different careers in their lifetime. So consider this firing your chance to start your next career.