You’re welcome Heather Maria

After reading comments from Robin Strohmaier, Kaz,Delia and Vatsala’s replies, I’m wondering what else can I contribute to move this conversation forward. As in any crises, and job loss is considered a major one, it is hard to be objective, to look at a situation from many perspectives. Yet, I know everyone can do just that. The people who love you and worry for you during job search, are stuck. They don’t know what to say. Should they ask how is it going or not say a word. You know how we are told to focus on someone else, not ourselves. This is a great opportunity to take the spotlight off your circumstance and take care of those around you. Talk about your efforts. Let them know you are doing ok. “Act as if” & it shall be.

Thanks Robin. I think the job loss is painful for family and friends too because they see a loved one going through pain and losing confidence when the wait to another job takes long because they don’t have a magic wand to fix the situation. I remember my Dad who had never experienced a job loss, not sure what he could do to help demonstrated his love and faith in me in little ways. He used to drive me to the interviews and hang around somewhere and then come pick me up to give me moral support. My Mom did her bit as well and I remember that because they did not know how to guide me in the situation, they made sure that I was made to feel that I was more important than a ‘job’. Their actions spoke louder than words.

It is so nice to see you here, Roslyn. Vatsala, thank you for featuring Roslyn on your blog. Fantastic post!

I have never had to walk this journey, but I do have family and friends that have. Losing your job for any reason is a humbling experience. It is difficult not to take it personally. Having a great support system and mindset is critical. I love your suggestion to “act as if.”

Roslyn, thank you for sharing your wisdom on this and providing a professional’s view of the other side of the desk. Thank you again, Vatsala, for having Roslyn here!

It sounds like you followed Joseph Campbell’s advice to ‘follow your bliss’ to the letter and emerged on happier grounds after your Hero’s Journey to make a difference in the lives of others, Kaz. These are the real life stories that I love to read because they inspire me! I loved Roslyn’s suggestion to “Act as if” too. 🙂

Amen to support from family and friends, Delia, especially because there is a lot of anger in the beginning – how can this happen to me? It helps to have a strong support group to make sure that you get back into action to either land that new job or start on a new adventure that is more rewarding.

It’s true that having friends and family that encourage and support you is absolutely crucial.

I agree with you, Roslyn. There are times when the entrepreneurial urge may need to be put on the back burner for a while because there are others who are dependent on you and there is a need for a regular paycheck. Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur even though the opportunities that present themselves are far better than the ones that were there till a decade and more ago. I have seen youngsters leave corporate jobs and set up businesses and then within a year go back to a job because they couldn’t handle the solo-preneur or small business owner demands. At the same time, I also know that these youngsters will emerge as entrepreneurs later in life with more experience under their belt.