How to Deal With Fear of Getting Fired

It could be you’ve heard of others being let go; you’ve seen a shake up at the top leadership levels or you suspect your new boss is really here to restructure. Any of these scenarios can make you uneasy about your own job stability. And once the anxiety sets in, it can affect your normal ability to focus, make you dread every unexpected meeting or just make getting up to go to work, feel miserable.
 
Given the percentage of our life we spend at work, this ongoing negative stress can be bad for your health so it is worth finding productive techniques to take back control.
 
If you are one of those people sensing impending doom, I’m here to say relax, don’t let it unnerve you. Instead let me show you how to actually take full advantage of it.
 
While I can’t guarantee you won’t be on the chopping block, I can help you reframe your mindset and give you hope for a much more positive outlook.  Simply by learning how to Duck, Prepare to 'Jet' and/or get ready to make a Career Pivot!

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​Dots SOS: If you are concerned you will be let go and would like to explore your options, reach out to me for a 30 - minute free consult today!

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Duck!
Here is how ‘Duck’ worked for one of my corporate clients:
I’ll call her Eileen; Eileen had a new boss, a bossy boss with a big ego, who she didn’t see eye-to-eye with.
 
My advice was this - get on with the work, don’t act in an artificial way, just keep the focus on doing a good job. It wasn’t always easy. Eileen asked clarifying questions to understand what her boss wanted and then delivered accordingly. She gave the boss no cause to centre her out, no angry or emotional outbursts – she kept her head down and managed her emotions. (We would often debrief after the tough days).
 
We found that when she focused on only what her manager asked for, it became much easier for her to cope day-to-day. This gave her personal control. She controlled her reaction, her output, and her thoughts. The goal was to deliver, and deliver she did!
 
Only those close to her ever knew the true feelings of doubt and worry.  She is a great example of how positively shifting your state of mind gives you the ability to work through job stress.  She proved to me that anyone could overcome the dread just by changing your mindset!
 
This concept not only reduced stress for few years until the boss moved on, but she said it taught her to become more focused and action oriented.
 
Every Exit is an Entry Somewhere
The other strategy is to get ready to 'jet' (aka. leave, exit, vamoose, hit the road). This means ACCEPT that you are going to go, stop worrying about it and begin your own transition now…while you’re still working!
 
I always tell my clients “you have the gift of time so lets use it to your own benefit.” Think of it as extra paid time to regroup, plan and prepare for your next move.
 
Here are some action steps I suggest to create change, on your own terms:

• Start with making a conscious decision – I WILL be leaving!
• Mark a date in your own calendar in the future as a goal date (I call it the golden ticket date)
• Ease up! Stop OVER-delivering.  Do only the work that is expected– no more than is absolutely necessary
• Create a positive story for yourself supporting why it’s a great time to go
• Be kind to yourself – take breaks, lunch and leave on time

 
Create an action list with target dates to be done by:

1. Get that resume updated
2. Make notes of all of your accomplishments for every job you’ve ever had
3. Pull together copies of all past performance reviews
4. Start taking personal items home a little each day – this begins the letting go process
5. Talk to those people you trust, who have worked with you and will give you honest feedback of your strengths
6. Begin connecting with your network; start planting the seed you are in the market – use your positive story for why it is a great time to go
7. Take stock of what makes you awesome
8. Make coffee meetings and lunches a personal priority

 
This mind shift is a game changer to overcome the oppressive feeling of dread. You invest in yourself and take back some time. If all goes really well, you’ll receive a nice little severance package AND start your new job shortly thereafter. Or you may land a great job before they send you packing – either way is a positive outcome!
 
Consider a PIVOT!
Treat this as a defining moment in your career where you sit back, take stock and re-evaluate what YOU want for your future. It’s the perfect time to consider an intentional career change in a completely different direction!
 
Maybe there are departments you’ve had a yearning to join but never had the courage to apply? Perhaps you may have been thinking of starting your own business, or you’ve had a side hustle that you should consider if you can do it full-time?
 
I’ve had clients take this opportunity to plan to return to school, become certified in a speciality or finish higher level education that later jettisoned them on to a successful new chapter in their life.
 
Regardless of where the pivotal change takes you it usually needs a catalyst to push you over the edge and make that wishful change happen. Turning the dread into a meaningful plan can make all the difference.
 
Need a Career Lifeline?
I’ve supported several leaders through this uncertainty, waiting for the day they will be let go.  I’ve also sat on the other side, breaking the news of downsizing to quite a few people and I can say with 100% confidence that everyone finds a new path and 9.8/10 times they end up happier than before.   
 
Rather than let the worry drag you down or make you sick, I say shift your thinking to make it work for you! The big trick is finding ways to take back control, accept change quickly – better yet, embrace it!
 
If you find yourself stuck and want to work with a professional to review your options, create a personalized career plan, hold you accountable or give you candid feedback, advice and insight, give me a call or send me an email! I offer a 30-minute free consultation.
 
Regardless of the scenario that has you anxious or worrying about job loss, I’d love to help you ‘connect the dots’ for the next phase in your career!

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Image: CC0 Creative Commons