Dr LeCrone
05-31-2006, 11:09 AM
During this very uncertain economic period of history that we live in, many individuals face the prospect of a career change. For some this may occur because of down sizing within a company and the lay offs that occur with this change. Others may find that their jobs have been eliminated completely. Having ones job terminated can be a very traumatic event, parallel in many ways to other losses in life such as death or divorce. Dealing with any significant loss often entails moving through the stages of grief and loss that are necessary for effective emergence from the loss and the ability to begin again in a new and healthy manner.
If you loose your job you may experience some of the following emotions: shock, disbelief, denial and "numbness." For some individuals, especially those who have been working at the same job for many years, this can be more difficult and pronounced due to the longevity, emotional involvement in the work and financial commitments which have developed as a result of having a dependable income. Many individuals may feel that they can't cope with this loss, they are often stunned and wonder how life can go on. Feelings of futility and hopelessness often emergent this time and there desire and willingness to look to the future is often greatly impaired.
• Anger and depression often emerge as the next stage of emotion in this process of loss. "Why did this have to happen to me?" "I have been a good employee for many years and don't deserve this fate." "If they had managed this organization better, this wouldn't have happened." "I might as well throw in the towel because I don't feel like starting over." A sense of lowered self-esteem and questionable self-worth often occurs at this point. Other problems which may have pre-existed prior to a loss of ones job may become more pronounced due to this stress.
Health problems may become worse, "shaky" relationships and family problems often come under assault and are worsened. Ethical and moral issues which were previously solid and healthy may come into question. Judgment and insight may impaired and lead to radical and unhealthy decisions. Anger and other intensely negative emotions such as bitterness often lead the individual down disastrous paths that they would have never considered before.
• With time, effort and support the individual will hopefully begin to cope again with the feelings of resolution, optimism and survival in the forefront.
The successful completion of the grief and loss process can make your life a much richer one. Sometimes it is through grief and loss that we become better acquainted with ourselves, realize previously unknown strengths and develop new perspectives and outlooks on life which are in many ways healthier and more productive than those that we held previously. An individual can undergo changes through this process that make them stronger and more valuable to themselves, their family and their next employer.
Next week I will examine some specific ways to help deal with job loss and career changes.
Copyright c 1992 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.
If you loose your job you may experience some of the following emotions: shock, disbelief, denial and "numbness." For some individuals, especially those who have been working at the same job for many years, this can be more difficult and pronounced due to the longevity, emotional involvement in the work and financial commitments which have developed as a result of having a dependable income. Many individuals may feel that they can't cope with this loss, they are often stunned and wonder how life can go on. Feelings of futility and hopelessness often emergent this time and there desire and willingness to look to the future is often greatly impaired.
• Anger and depression often emerge as the next stage of emotion in this process of loss. "Why did this have to happen to me?" "I have been a good employee for many years and don't deserve this fate." "If they had managed this organization better, this wouldn't have happened." "I might as well throw in the towel because I don't feel like starting over." A sense of lowered self-esteem and questionable self-worth often occurs at this point. Other problems which may have pre-existed prior to a loss of ones job may become more pronounced due to this stress.
Health problems may become worse, "shaky" relationships and family problems often come under assault and are worsened. Ethical and moral issues which were previously solid and healthy may come into question. Judgment and insight may impaired and lead to radical and unhealthy decisions. Anger and other intensely negative emotions such as bitterness often lead the individual down disastrous paths that they would have never considered before.
• With time, effort and support the individual will hopefully begin to cope again with the feelings of resolution, optimism and survival in the forefront.
The successful completion of the grief and loss process can make your life a much richer one. Sometimes it is through grief and loss that we become better acquainted with ourselves, realize previously unknown strengths and develop new perspectives and outlooks on life which are in many ways healthier and more productive than those that we held previously. An individual can undergo changes through this process that make them stronger and more valuable to themselves, their family and their next employer.
Next week I will examine some specific ways to help deal with job loss and career changes.
Copyright c 1992 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.