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Courage quotes: coping with job loss

Job loss is a very painful experience. This event can be one of the most humbling and stressful situations in life. You may have been laid off because of economic crisis or dismissed for poor performance. A workers identity may be shattered. Anger, frustration, and fear follow. Job loss depression can set in. Hopefully, for the bread winner and their family, this will be followed later by a sense of resolve and hope. Courage quotes, such as the ones below, can help with the transition.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. ---Winston Churchill

Coping with Job Loss

The loss of a job can be very sudden. The challenges that the laid off worker faces also come suddenly. After the initial shock, it still may be difficult to deal with the emotions. There could be anger toward the employer or even a specific person within the company. There could also be humiliation and embarassment for being in such a vulnerable postion. Often times there will be withdrawal from people and responsibilities.

As time goes by, there will be increased pressure because of financial issues. Family disputes and disagreements may increase. There is also worry over the future and what challenges lie ahead. Just coping with job loss is not enough. There needs to be steps taken to move forward with courage.

Overcoming the emotional trauma

For most layoffs there is a valid reason. It just was not in your favor. Employers, however, generally do not like telling someone they are no longer needed. You may still harbor hard feelings, but don't burn your bridges. Let them know that you are not against them.

Take constructive steps to keep in communication with your former company. Write them a positive letter stating that you appreciated the opportunity of employment and you hope all goes well for them in the future. This type of action alone can start the healing process. It also gives you a better change of a recommendation.

Also, find someone you talk to about your feelings. Get it out in the open and be honest. Anger and other negative emotions will tend to lessen. It will be easier to be around others and to resolve the major issues that your family faces.

Next steps to recovery

Several important issues must be addressed. Determine how long your financial resources will sustain the family. What will be the sources of income while unemployed. Consider applying for unemployment compensation. This alone may alievate the pressure to some degree.

What will future expenses be? Decide what things can be cut back. Also, make sure that health insurance is taken care of. Under COBRA you may qualify for a group rate for a short time. Create a budget that will work and will also be acceptable to your spouse.

Moving On in a new direction

Review the circumstances around why your job was lost. Is there cutbacks in the industry? Do you need more skills? Spend time improving your skills. Look at the direction and technology of your field. Is your current location going to be most advantageous? Try to anticipate what skills that you will need 2 or 5 years down the road.

Do you want to stay in the same field? Take the time to make some changes — switch careers or industries, learn some new skills and improve upon the ones you already have.

Courage Quotes
Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow. --Dan Rather
Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared. --Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. --Raymond Lindquist
Courage is as often the outcome of despair as of hope; in the one case we have nothing to lose, in the other everything to gain. ~Diane de Poitiers
Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway. --John Wayne
Optimism is the foundation of courage. --Nicholas Murray Butler

Courage quotes can inspire those who may have lost a job or something else that is important to them. You don't have to stay defeated by the past. Take courage and move forward. Coping with job loss can be overcome by action.

Birth | School Pressures | Overcoming fears | Work vs. Family | Job loss | Moving | Budget

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