The last year has been particularly hard on people.  The economy has been stagnant at best, and in a free fall at worst.  Now there’s rumors of a recovery under way.  I don’t know if that’s true or not.  That’s for economists to debate.

But for the people directly impacted by the economy this has been a painful time.  Downsizing often brings health problems (headaches, physical illness, sleeping issues) and emotional problems (depression, anger, stress).

Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to escape these feelings.

As I was thinking about this, it occurred to me that much of what we experience comes from the fact that we’ve been told our jobs give us meaning.  That unless you have a certain job, you aren’t worth anything.  Is it any wonder that people react so strongly when they are laid off?  Their identities are literally being ripped away from them.

For many people, once they lose their job they have nothing to hold onto.  They have nothing bigger than themselves to believe in.  And so the loss of a job becomes more than just losing a pay check, it becomes the destruction of a world view.

When meaning comes from our work it defines us.  When meaning comes from who we are, we define work.

That is a huge difference.

Fortunately if you find yourself downsized, there are a few things you can do to minimize all those negative feelings and reactions.  These may not solve the root problem (getting your meaning from work vs. taking your meaning to work) but it will help you cope with the hardship of losing your job.  Here are six things you can do to deal with downsizing:

1. Immediately tell your family
2. Evaluate the reasons for losing the job
3. Deal with the emotions that come with the layoff
4. Prepare for your layoff (if you can) by negotiating for a severance package, using outsourcing programs and getting references
5. Take some time off to rest before looking for new work
6. Make a plan and go forward with confidence

(Beyer, C., Pike, D., & McGovern, L. (1993).  Surviving unemployment.  New York: Henry Holt.)

Now I know not everyone can do these steps.  But if you can, take the opportunity and do them.

photo provided by flickr