Have you ever lost your car? Well I did last week! It was a great reminder of how we feel when we lose something: our car, our wallet, or even our job.

As I confidently walked over to where I remembered parking my car, it took me a while to realize it wasn’t there. Similar to job loss, there is an initial feeling of disorientation and confusion.

The emotional impact can seem overwhelming. When you’re facing loss, it’s how you deal with it that’s important. Instead of being paralyzed by fear, recognize the five key stages that can take you from job loss to job renewal.

1. Denial.– At this stage, we resist reality. Feelings of shock and disbelief are common. “This is not possible”. “I couldn’t have lost my job.” “What’s happening?” In my situation, I kept looking for the car, not wanting to believe that it was gone. The good news is that once you get past denial, the doors to handling the situation open wide.

2. Support – Don’t try to recover from job loss alone. It’s smart to get help. Find someone you can talk to and confide in how you feel. In my situation, I turned to someone I trusted. She listened, offered suggestions, and literally “walked the walk with me.” Similarly, your friend can offer a fresh perspective as he emphasizes that everything will be fine.

3. Evaluation and planning – Once you find the right support, you’ll be ready to take stock of your situation, assess your options, and develop a plan for moving forward. Some questions may include “What am I interested in exploring?” “How can I bring my interests to life?” “Where do the opportunities exist?” “What plans do I need to make?” My friend helped me calmly and rationally assess the situation and helped me clarify my options. After losing your job, if you’re riding an emotional wave, your friend, confidante, or coach can remain objective, help clarify your options, and help you broaden your perspective.

4. Decision making and self-reactivation – At this stage, you are ready to regain your self-confidence and take action. It’s time to implement your plans. It helps clarify how the end result will look and feel. In my case, it meant changing my address and looking for my car in a new location. Guess what? We found it! Once you decide to change direction, you can find a new job in the right career.

5. Renewal – The rebuilding process after job loss takes time. There is no “correct” pace for this type of trip. Some people will quickly move from one stage to the next; others may get stuck in one stage. Go easy on yourself! Build a support system, know that you can be resilient, and trust that you can find a job that is fulfilling and right for you.

I encourage you to find the lessons in your loss. No matter how bad the circumstances, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this experience?” In the case of job loss, the lesson often has to do with realistically taking stock of your situation, gaining a new perspective, and taking steps to continue building or redirecting your career.

Remember, things are not always as they first appear…or disappear!

© Copyright – Elizabeth M. Lengyel, PeopleCoach, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

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