by Sherrie Bourg Carter

Created on: February 06, 2010

In today's society, the loss of a job can be devastating for a variety of reasons. The most obvious, of course, is the loss of income at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet. However, there are psychological reasons that can make job loss even more difficult to handle. First, wealth and status have become symbols of power throughout the world. Therefore, the loss of a job can be experienced as a loss of power, especially by men who are more likely to connect their job with their power in other areas, such as in the family and in social circles. Secondly, many people view their careers as a critical component of their self-concept and identity.  For these individuals, being fired from a job equates to a loss of identity. This way of thinking fuels self-doubt about one's worth not only in the job marketplace, but also in the world in general. The loss of a job (and its accompanying income) also can lead to a strong sense of guilt – guilt that you are no longer afford to provide as you once did for your loved ones and guilt for the stress and uncertainty that the family usually experiences as a result of the loss of income. Finally, depression is a common reaction to job loss for obvious reasons, and depression can lead to a host of other problems such as sleeplessness, lethargy, and at worse, suicidal ideation.

 All of these feelings, while normal, can be self-defeating because such negativity can have a dramatic impact on the ultimate outcome. Perceptions have a substantial impact on our thinking and behavior. Therefore, if your perceptions remain negative, the likelihood for a positive outcome is significantly reduced. In contrast, if the negativity is replaced with a positive outlook, such as, "When one door closes, another one opens," the chances for a positive outcome increase.

To avoid being pulled down by the initial negativity commonly experienced after being fired, here are seven things you should try to avoid.

1. Avoid panic. Panic never helps an already difficult situation. While a moderate degree of anxiety has consistently been found to be a motivator, panic only makes the situation worse. No one makes good choices while in a state of panic and good opportunities can be lost during the panic period.

2. Avoid isolation. Many people prefer to be left alone when they are feeling down. However, isolation to the exclusion of everything else

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>