COVID Impact: How to bounce back from job loss
GAJ RAVICHANDRA, REG PSYCH, MCOMM, MAICD (IMAGE: SUPPLIED)
Focus on the journey and be cognizant of what you are feeling and learning through this experience, says mental toughness expert Gaj Ravichandra
COVID 19 has hit the global economy hard, pushing it into recession mode. There are job losses across the world. According to a survey by the Indian Society of Labour Economics, job loss is the most severe immediate impact of the pandemic. While lower economic growth and rise in inequality would be the long-term effects (source: Economic Times). We spoke to Mental Toughness Expert Gaj Ravichandra about coping with failure and how to bounce back after job loss. Gaj is a highly sought-after performance coach recognized for his effective leadership training techniques. He also has a passion for helping clients reach a higher potential. These are his top tips on how to cope up with losing your job.
Acceptance is key
It’s natural to feel a sense of sadness about losing a role particularly when a lot of our identity is tied up to our work. Accepting the present situation is the difficult first step. Acknowledging that there will be the typical stages of grief and loss to work through – as per the Kubler Ross framework – is an important step in the process. It is entirely normal to experience feelings of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, and Depression before getting to Acceptance. It is also not uncommon to experience many of these states on any given day. One must allow themselves to feel these emotions without feelings of shame. Focus on the journey and be cognizant of what you are feeling and learning through this experience.
You are in charge of your mindset
Keeping focused, energized, and positive during this time is critical. Surround yourself with positive and practical people who will lift you so that you can feed off their energy. Don’t feel shy about asking a friend to give you a pep talk if you’re feeling particularly low. Silence any negative self-talk.
Having a set routine can provide the discipline around finding that next adventure. Be sure to carve out time for exercise, job searching, and other activities that bring you joy. Exercise is critical for combating negative stress hormones like Cortisol. Put aside 30 minutes each day to raise your heart rate and increase endorphin levels.
Be deliberate about your next steps
As a first step, I recommend working with a career coach. They will help you identify your ideal direction (i.e. working for someone, being your boss, etc.) as this often becomes less clear after a job loss. I advise starting with the ‘end in mind.’. Then start working backward to determine what your long (3-5 years), medium (1-3 years), and short (3 months – 1 year) term goals need to be to achieve this direction.
For those re-entering the workplace as an employee, ensure your CV is up to date. It should also be bench-marked against a leading platform like www.vmock.com. This will give you a good indication of how your CV and experience compares to others within your industry. Once your CV is updated, review your network. Identify 3-4 people whom you believe would be able to support you and provide you with leads/contacts in the industry you would like to work in.
The most important point to remember is to focus on what is in your control – such as who you can reach out to today or how much time you will spend searching for appropriate roles. Don’t waste time thinking about things that are outside of your control like the economy. If it’s helpful, write down a catchphrase like “control the controllable” and keep it somewhere visible to keep your mind on what you can influence.
Bounce back after job loss
Set mini-goals for yourself each week. Break these down to daily goals – give yourself a reward when these are achieved. Try and use these goals as minimum expectations for the next week so that you are constantly raising the bar and setting yourself personal bests!
While all our content is free, a lot of work goes into making these happen. So we’re asking for donations. Like lots of small businesses, we got hit hard during this pandemic and your donation helps us create more content and keep this community running! Feel free to buy us a coffee HERE. We appreciate any support you can give.
Also read, How to Sleep Better