In today’s tough economic climate, more people are getting fired from their jobs. Getting fired is tough. While some slackers and crooks deserve to have their employment terminated, others lose their jobs for more arbitrary reasons. No matter what your firing story is, you are likely full of anger, resentment, and shock towards your former employer. You may also be feeling anxiety and stress about your next move but with the right coping methods, you can deal with being fired and use it as a stepping stone to move onto greater things. Here are a few do’s and don’ts if you find yourself in this situation.

 

DO NOT

1. Curse, yell or start insulting people. This may make you feel better temporarily, but will have negative long-term consequences.

2. Retaliate by doing damage to property or computer systems. That could just get you arrested.

3. Automatically accept what you are told. There is often room to negotiate the terms of your termination.

 

DO

1. Remain respectful and professional. Even if you hate these jerks, you do not want to burn any bridges.

2. Recognise that you can negotiate many things, even if you’re been let go.

3. Ask for extra time if you need or want it. You may not get it, but you won’t lose anything by asking.

4. Ask how your personal record will read and exactly what information people will be given when they verify your employment.

5. Once you’ve gotten some distance from hearing the news, try to take an objective look at the situation. Is there anything to learn from the experience?

Just like with relationships, once you get past the sense of rejection and loss – getting fired may be the best thing that could have happened to you. Here are five basic reasons for getting fired:

1. Your company’s not doing so well

2. You’re not doing so well, i.e. job performance, you’re miserable etc.

3. Your boss is an idiot or dysfunctional.

4. You’ve done great but have become complacent.

5. Stuff that has nothing to do with you: market changes, executive turnover, reorganisation, restructuring.

In every case except that last one, you would be better off elsewhere in the long run therefore getting canned was the kick in the pants you needed to get out and move forward to better things. And you know what? The same thing goes for rejection, failure, losing #business; anything that feels gut-wrenchingly bad at the time is an opportunity to learn, gain wisdom, and ultimately improve your position. That is, as long as you’ve the guts to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and work on it, instead of throwing the towel and feeling sorry for yourself.

Let’s examine 5 potential blessings from getting fired:

1. Taking Responsibility

No matter why you’ve been fired, odds are that you played a role. Once you take responsibility, it’s easier to get past the anger and onto the next thing.

2. Acceptance Over Resentment

When you accept fact over fiction, you can begin healing from the experience.

3. Detach Your Worth From Your Work

Learning to value the being part of yourself not only puts you in deeper relationship with yourself, it also helps you appreciate the “other” beings in your life.

4. Fresh Start

Sounds cliché but it’s true. Getting fired opens door of freedom to go for it. Do-overs can re-energize you and give a much-needed shake up to other areas of your life.

5. Learn To Trust Your Gut

That quiet voice we all have knows so, so much, and when we listen, we can act in alignment with our most scared intelligence.

In conclusion, getting fired hurts regardless of the circumstance but as with most things in life, it can be an opportunity. You can’t un-fire yourself, but you can choose your experience of being fired. You can find the blessings in the beast.

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