by Scott Hayden

Created on: January 13, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2010

Being fired isn't pleasant for anyone. However, receiving a pink slip may not be a bad thing for all people. Maybe the work atmosphere was toxic, or the job just wasn't a good fit. There's a silver lining in every dark cloud, but to see a new avenue of opportunity will take a pair of keen eyes and a positive state of mind.

Perhaps it wasn't about you at all. If whatever company you worked for is about to crash and burn and they had to start laying people off earlier than expected, don't take it personally. If you are let go, think of it as a chance to pursue something which you really want to do. Many laid off workers are doing this now and you can too.

If you were working for a large corporation where your efforts might have gone unnoticed, getting the boot might be a blessing after all. Look for a smaller company, where there will likely be less competition and most of all, less backstabbing among employees. The money might not be as good, but if that is the case then it would be time to take a closer look at your budget and what you can afford.

If you have a family then you can jump at the chance to start a home based business. This is a route that many laid off workers are not taking. Your spouse and children would love to spend more time with you, and your physical and mental stress would probably begin to disappear. Get yourself a computer and grow a business as you see fit without having to look over your shoulder every time your boss was hanging over you, observing every move you made. Getting fired can be a good thing if you're dispassionate and bored in your current position. Bored employees will not contribute much to the workplace and are not doing themselves any favors.

Hopefully you will have some money saved up. Think about taking a trip with your family. Choose someplace exotic; a country where you have never been before. If you've got just a few days left at work before you leave forever take the time to surf the web, albeit discreetly, and book airline tickets and hotel rooms. Do this when you're on a lunch break. Even if you're getting laid off, it's better to leave the company on good terms.

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