Dealing with Dismissal?
Getting fired is more than about losing your job – it can feel like a loss of identity. But being dismissed is an opportunity to discover your true potential and find new opportunities.
In prehistoric times, there was no-one around to give you a pink slip because you weren’t hitting the hunting quota, or the tribe was downsizing. If you weren’t good at your job, you were dead. While dealing with dismissal today isn’t so dramatic, it’s still one of the most stressful life experiences we’ll ever face.
The words “you’re fired” can strike fear in all of us, not just because we’ve lost our job and income, but because society assumes if we get fired, we must be a screw-up, which can be a big blow to our self-esteem. You thought we were good at something, and getting fired makes you question your worth and feels like an attack on your person. But let’s face it.
More often than not, dealing with dismissal is due to a personality or values mismatch, and they did you a favour.
Being dismissed doesn’t mean you’re worthless. It’s a growth opportunity. Whether the dismissal was right or wrong, you get some time to reflect on what happened, redesign your career trajectory, and re-approach the market on your own terms.
43%
43 percent of US workers fear losing their jobs.
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
70%
70 percent of us define ourselves by our job titles.
– Debbie Mandel, Addicted to Stress
75%
75 percent of people say their manager never met with them to discuss their concerns before firing them.
– Forbes
91%
91 percent of executives who get fired find a new position that was as good or better than their last job.
– The CEO Next Door
The Stress of Being Dismissed
Work is where we spend most of our time, so the idea that you’re no longer needed can leave you with a slew of confusing emotions, which can cause stress, anxiety, depression, or grief. Dealing with dismissal can negatively impact your physical and mental wellbeing in a number of ways:
- Chest pains
- Headaches
- Panic attacks
- Quick pulse
- Rapid breathing
- Nausea
- Sadness, depression
- Anger, rage
- Fear, shame, low self-esteem
- Embarrassed, shocked
- Mood swings
- Numbness, confusion
Break the stigma
You are enough