Have you thought about what would you do if you lost your job tomorrow? I have. Quite recently. Although, when I think about it, I think I’ve been thinking about it since the day I started work nearly 33 years ago. Having a stable job has been a wonderful privilege. I look back over my life and wonder what it might have been like had I not been employed.
I’ve had the fortune to be with my current employer for 31 years – a life sentence, some might say! But it is a real rarity these days when people change jobs every few years, and stable employment is enjoyed by a lesser fortunate few. I look around my workplace and think of all the people I’ve worked with over the years – there are not too many of “us” left – the staff with longevity. I’m guessing a hundred in my building might have 20+ years. That’s a 20-storey city building.
Sadly, but (and, I believe, necessarily) my employer just announced 900 jobs will have to go this year.
Are “we” – the staff with longevity – again, in the firing line? Only 3-4 years ago, we had a round of redundancy packages handed out. 180 took their golden handshake, many of them were the ones with longevity. My boss, his boss. So many people with years of knowledge. Gone. Now it’s about to happen again, on a much bigger scale. These are nervous times.
In “Signs you should quit your job“, on MyVeryOwnBoss.com, Faith writes about signs of your impending ejection”.
“If you fail to quit when the going is good, then watch out for these signs of your impending ejection:
- Being a subject of endless accusations
- Being summoned to disciplinary hearings over flimsy issues
- Getting warning letters on issues which previously did not attract anyone’s attention
- Being given unrealistic targets
- Being transferred to some forgotten place
- Being moved departments to areas that do not even fit your expertise
- Getting a long, meaningless title such as Assistant Head of Planning, Projects, and Quality Auditing
- Not getting salary increments when others are getting them
- Being refused approval to attend conferences you have always attended in the past
- You resenting the beginning of every week and looking forward to the weekend
- You resenting a call from your boss
- Noticing that if it were not for the money you would not do the job”
Faith’s post is a very interesting read, and a topic close to my heart at the moment.
My father’s employer employed many of the tricks in Faith’s list in the last few years of his employment. I remember how he was moved from job to job, and given meaningless (or no) work to do. Dad didn’t let them break him. Instead he taught himself computing. He made himself irreplaceable. He became terribly important to the company because he was one of the very few who had any knowledge of computing.
I wonder if I may be a target for a redundancy package Not because i am redundant, nor that my position is redundant, but because I cost a lot. My defined-benefit superannuation is going to cost my employer a pretty packet if I stay with the company till retirement.
So it makes me think about “what would I do if I lost my job?”.
Truly, I’d love to have the time to “work” at being my very own boss.
But I wonder if I have the aptitude necessary to by my very own boss. Do I have the character, willpower, fortitude and stamina to do my work at home job full time? Can my work at home job generate me the kind of money to replace my employer’s salary?
These are great questions. Matthew Santoro lost his job in 2009 and went on to create a fascinating Youtube Channel which is his “job”, and he loves it. The possibilities are endless! Watch and listen as Michael recounts his feelings on the day he lost his job.
In her book “Lost Your Job Now What”, author Terry Kohl also explains that the possibilities are endless. You may be fearful of what the future holds. You may be worrying yourself into an illness, carrying that stress over into your family life, and losing relationships due to the strain. You may be asking yourself questions that appear to have no answers.
Her book will change your life. As of the day you lose your joy, you are through with dead-end jobs, not being in control of your future, and being fearful that someone else’s decisions will leave you stranded with no income. Lost Your Job? Now What! Now, the possibilities are endless!
Jirina explains in her powerful and inspirational video above, that you have the power to think, learn, create and adapt. You can take charge of your own future. Being made redundant is not the end of the world, it’s the start of the next phase of your life.
What would you do if you lost your job? I’d love to read your ideas and plans for the future. Please leave a comment below and let me know your plans for what you’d do if you lost your job tomorrow.
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Losing a job could be really tough for some people. If i were to actually lose my job in the future, the easiest way is to find another job through recommendations and referrals from friends in your industry. For some people, it may actually be a very good time to think about what they want in the future and possibly take that leap to becoming their own boss. Definitely one day, I would strive to be my own boss in the future.
More and more people are able to be their very own boss nowadays. It’s astonishing the opportunities that are available to a hardworking individual. You’re lucky Terence that you’re well connected in your industry. I have high hopes to be my own boss one day! Thanks for stopping by.
This is a scary question. A lot of people are stuck in jobs that create the paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. I am one of them. Luckily I do have a retirement that I could cash out and live off of for about a year if I stretched it out.
It’s aggravating how jobs demand endless loyalty from their employees just to turn around and destroy their lives to save a few dollars.
Hi Josh, thanks for your comment. I am one of the lucky ones too, who could stretch out my redundancy payout for quite a bit. My fear is that I’ll be a bit aimless without a job, as I tend to get very easily distracted. I guess that’s the purpose of this website, to help myself as I help my readers.
I am in the process of becoming my own boss and trying to get out of my job. I love working just not for people who don’t appreciate you and what you can do. Also this way I will be able to spend the time I really want with my little girl as she is growing up.
Good luck Melva, with extricating yourself from the J.O.B. I wish you all the best with becoming your own boss.
It’s an absolutely frightful thought, isn’t it? Most of us base our definitions of ourselves upon our work/career, family, friends, and leisure. Our career is what drives the other main areas of our persona. What would I do? Honestly, I was hit with this some years ago and it was a sobering experience. I learned to never get too comfortable that the ride’s end is a surprise. 🙂
Thank you for the post.
Sorry to hear you had that sobering experience, Kay. Thanks for stopping by and making a comment.