Layoffs how to use your Time Wisely
Layoffs, more often than not, come as a shock. Like the sudden death of a loved one, time must be spent absorbing the loss. Therefore, it would be prudent and sensible to spend some time grieving. For example, if the layoff took place on a Friday, spend the weekend dealing with the reality and inconvenience that this sudden change in your employment status has placed on you and your family. Allow others to know what has changed in your life. There is no element of shame or embarrassment. Layoffs happen to the best employees, and it is not a reflection on their quality of work. Talking with others about what has happened can help minimize the pain and anger. Call a caring friend who will listen and encourage you. If there were others who were also laid off with you, stay in touch with them and agree to meet on a weekly basis. This sign of solidarity in agroupsetting will help and encourage everyone.
After those first few days of getting accustomed to what has happened, start to consider how you must utilize your time to prioritize your most immediate concerns. If your employee provided a benefit package, based on, for example, years of service, this will be helpful. However, if this was not the case then the next objective would be to seek unemployment benefits. Layoffs never come at a good time, but there are times that are better than others depending on where the employee is in their life. For example, are you near retirement age, and had you been planning to retire? Are you in mid-life, with children still living at home, a mortgage and school loans?
Spending time wisely could involve many aspects. Look at the extra time as a gift. Since you have more time, you can be choosy about how you spend it and with whom. Plan your day by getting up early and going for a walk. Spend time making a list of the pros and cons of yourlayoffas it relates to you and your current life goals. Ask yourself if you need to immediately seek other employment. Consider what you have in savings and how long it might last if you do not find work quickly. Do you need to purchase medical insurance? Do you need to consider obtaining more education to make yourself more marketable? Spend time assessing your expenses and find ways to minimize them. Keep a journal that will assist you in writing down ideas, worries and thoughts.
If you need and want to keep working, do not let others direct your time for you. For example, do not become a free babysitter for your grandchildren if that is not how you want to spend your time. Do not fall into bad habits such as watching more television, playing computer solitaire and sleeping until noon. Keep a schedule that will ensure you stay on track with your life goals, ambitions, and interests. Being laid off is not the worst fate in the world, but wasting your valuable time is.
