by Ann E. Smith

Created on: January 24, 2010

In this day and age, we must live at all times with the possibility of getting laid off from our jobs. Downsizing is a common occurrence. And working hard and doing good work will not necessarily protect you from a layoff. If the unfortunate event happens, you will need to try to stay as positive as you can.

While this advice may sound trite, it’s only to your advantage to follow it. Being laid off is a terrible thing. You need income to pay your bills and support your family. Your self-worth may be tied into your career. And you may feel angry and helpless that you have lost your job. To add to it, you are fearful about the future, especially in an incredibly tight job market.

Given all of these dynamics, your ability to stay positive holds even more value. You’re clearly facing tough emotions and situations. So you will be well served to face each day with as positive an outlook as you can muster. Below are a few simple tips for staying positive when laid off.

* Make up your mind that you won’t let this situation beat you down

Our minds are powerful indeed. Your thoughts often control your feelings, even when they are subconscious in nature. To stay positive during tough times, you will need to make a conscious decision to remain as upbeat as possible. If you don’t do that, you will likely sink in the tides of rough waters all around you.

* Take it one day at a time

A famous adage poses this question: How do you eat an elephant? And the answer: One bite at a time. This saying points to something hugely powerful. To avoid getting overwhelmed with all that you face, remember to take things one day at a time. It will help you manage any negative emotions and cope with what each day brings. By taking things one day at a time, you will be far more likely to be able to keep a positive outlook.

* Stay busy and take action

When you stay busy, you feel better. Have you ever noticed that? It really works, as your mind stays focused on doing things instead of dwelling on the negative. Staying busy pushes self-pity away. As you will have many things to take care of while laid off, create an action plan and stick to it. You will need to take care of all kinds of logistics and launch an aggressive job search. Set daily or weekly goals, and you will feel positive when you execute against them.

* Reach out to others

Sometimes we want to crawl under a rock when bad things happen. It’s human nature. However, if you’re trying to stay positive when laid off, do not hide from friends, family and other forms of human support! Use this time to reach out to others. You need human connection at this time. Even if you don’t feel up to it, force yourself to stay connected.

* Volunteer

Volunteering is something we should do whether employed or not. When you are out of work, you have even more time to devote to helping others and giving back. It’s a great way to be of service, and it will help you feel more positive during this tough period in your own life. Volunteering can also help you gain perspective.

Staying positive when laid off may not be easy, but it is doable. If you face a layoff, try some of these suggestions. It will not make your tough situation go away, but it will make it more bearable.

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