The Layoff One - Part 1 (Special Edition #34)
Sorry if you’re tired of hearing about layoffs, but I promise this post is a bit different.
It’s been just over 2 weeks…
Yep, I had to say goodbye to my role as a senior leader in an organization that was doing really cool stuff just over 2 weeks ago—and it’s a bummer.
BUT
It’s also a chance—an opportunity to start new and get excited about what’s next.
I know when you’re forcefully separated from your work you do and the routine that consumes 90% of your life you may be tempted to wallow in self pity, panic and hit the job market completely out of control, just take time off and pretend your on vacation and others… well others (me) start dreaming again are just figuring it out step by step and day by day.
And here’s how I am actively doing that…
I cried, I took a beat
I created a plan
I put the plan in place (day by day)
I made space for breaks and fun
I started listening more
I stopped being afraid to ask
#1 Letting it all go—as quickly as possible.
I was fortunate enough to be somewhat prepared for this change. Although I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worse there were signs of the impending layoff. If you think back, you probably saw them in your own organization when the time came.
ps. if you’ve been fortunate to avoid mass layoffs in the last 5 years—you have a genie in a lamp secretly granting you wishes and kudos!
So, when I got the call from HR on a Friday afternoon, I was ‘ready’.
I was also fortunate enough to have read a great book, The Layoff Cooties by an amazingly decent, kind and real human being Laura Krauss.
In 2024, when Laura was finalizing her book and setting launch dates, I stumbled upon her LinkedIn and I reached out—we instantly connected. We hopped on a call, talked about family, career searches, hobbies, and layoffs—it was like therapy. So, I knew right away I needed her book.
The funny and total accidental thing, I was the first to purchase it when it came out (beating out her own mother). This book was written in such a way that it instantly reminded me of my past experiences working in companies and walked me through all the stages of grief.
It’s a gem—and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who needs more than just a ‘Oh, you’re better off’ message after a layoff or big change in life.
Planning…it’s what I do.
I knew right away I needed to make a plan—to avoid spiraling, to avoid going all wild and making missteps that could cost me time, opportunities and literally money.
So after a solid afternoon of switching between sad and angry and eating tacos, (for the win!) I found myself out in nature with my biggest supporter (and best husband ever) discussing our plan.
Everyone has different needs and reasons for what they do. We all live in different situations and ours, although not unheard of is unique to us.
It may be tempting to ask for other opinions and hear stories and get feedback but at the end of the day it’s about you and the people you are closest with and need to support.
Here’s a little preview into our plan:
Leverage my network—thankfully I am active on LinkedIn & Substack and have built an amazing network of people, real relationships and supporters, and it’s growing every day.
Don’t panic! I created a bucket system or what we called ‘Tier 1’, ‘Tier 2’, ‘Tier 3’ level jobs. Each having their own criteria (e.g. location, companies with values, benefits, dream roles, etc.) Focus on finding, connecting and applying to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 buckets first—all my energy.
The money conversation. It must be done, “let’s start cutting back now on our luxury spends” (we’re on hold matcha—but we will reunite soon).
Get organized. There’s about to be a ton of paperwork, resumes to rewrite, health insurance to find and so forth. Designating a special spot to keep ALL that together was important for me.
(edited to add) Expect the unexpected. I say this as I just had to wipe down my whole laptop because I decided to shake my drink and the lid was already off (ugh). Anyways, truly things will happen when you least expect them—I’ve experienced that a lot these last few weeks.
Stay tuned for the next special edition—where I share how I am putting my plan in place.
Until next time, stay well
Colleen
My partner and I were both laid off during Covid and it did take a toll. But life goes on!