Over the last couple of weeks, I shared how I got myself fired twice in a month and things to do when you get fired. Today, I want to shift gears a little bit and talk about how getting fired can be a good thing, if you take the time to really learn from it.
Getting fired was one of the best things that happened to me, because the lessons I learned shaped me. If you were recently fired and reading this, trust me, I know you might feel a little ashamed or embarrassed. When I got fired that summer, it was a major shock. I couldn't help but feel like a failure. Like something was wrong with me.
Until then, I always considered myself an overachiever. Without really trying, I did well in school and nailed every job interview. Never in a million years did I think I would get fired. I felt confident in my hard skills and ability to do the job. However as you know it was the soft skills and the unexpected intricacies of a 9-5 that led to my demise. It wasn't all bad though.
7 Lessons From Getting Fired:
The Universe Has Your Back
It's no secret that I believe in manifesting anything you desire in life! Well, ever since I was a kid I had dreams of working for myself, dreams of writing, and dreams of helping others. My 9-5 only allowed me to help others in a very 1-1 small scale way. Long before I got fired, I knew I needed to quit. But I didn't because I was afraid that I would fall back on waitressing, become complacent, and never take action.
Historically, I'm not a quitter. Even if something is causing me harm, I can't quit it. So even though I knew I needed to quit, I could never bring myself to actually do it. When I got fired the first time, I jumped into the next job because I liked the safety net of a steady paycheck. But the second time was a wake up call to listen to what the Universe was trying to tell me. I needed to start my own thing. I needed to trust myself and the Universe. A week after I got fired I got a call from a former colleague offering me a job, I turned it down. I knew i couldn't go back to the grind. I knew the universe was telling me something with these last to experiences.
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I spent two months reconnecting wiht my soul. Doing daily meditations, spending all day in nature, cooking, practicing yoga and mindful walks, and binge watching TV (because I'm still me). I felt my soul coming back to life during that time and thats when my business was born.
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It's not the end of the world
When I got fired the first time, I didn't want to tell anyone. Even though logically I knew it was a bad situation and I was trying to work up the courage to quit, I felt completely ashamed. The reality is, there is a big stigma about getting fired in our society, even though the majority of people will get fired at least once in their life. But I always see people quickly say, “I wasn't fired, I was downsized,” or “well I haven't been fired…” with shifty eyes as they send a prayer it will never happen to them… I realize there is so much shame around getting fired.
Well guess what? Getting fired isn't the end of the world. It's the beginning. You know who else was fired? Oprah, Michael Bloomberg, Mark Cuban, Steve Jobs, Anna Wintour, JK Rowling! Seriously, so many people we all look up to have been fired, and it was a blessing.
[clickToTweet tweet=”‘Getting fired isn't the end of the world. It's the beginning.' #careertalk” quote=”Getting fired isn't the end of the world. It's the beginning.”]
You will find a better job
Whether it's a new 9-5, starting a side hustle, or something else, you will find a new job that's better suited to you. If you're not taking the time to reflect and grow from your firing, it may take a while to find that job. That might be because you no longer have a crazy boss, or just because you learned how to work with people a little better. Regardless you will find a better job!
The money will work itself out.
Obviously finances are a terrifying aspect of getting fired. However, if you really believe the Universe has your back, then you should know, it will help you figure out your finances too. Trust me because…
…I was actually fired a third time that summer…
Real talk: While working on my master's degree and in my 9-5, I was also waitressing. I was exhausted and burnt out. At the end of season, my boss and I knew my heart wasn't in it anymore. He let me go as part of summer staff cuts.
That job had meant more to me than words could ever describe during that time in my life. I knew it would always be a second home (I actually literally live across the street from it today and am looking at it as I write this post). I don't count that in all of this “getting fired” hoopla because that was a chapter coming to a close. It was a good-bye I knew needed to happen in order to grow. Waitressing was my safety net. I am forever grateful for that time and group of people.
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However, waitressing was where I made my real money. So needless to say, when I got fired in June, then July, and once more in August, I was a little nervous about money. I knew if I went back to my boss at the restaurant he would give me back the job. However, I had saved up a really nice emergency fund and decided to give myself until season started again to take a step back and practice self care.
I looked at my monthly expenses and my emergency fund and selected a date. If I wasn't bringing in an income by that date, I would go back to waitressing. Two weeks before my “deadline” I landed my first client! Word of mouth spread and I never had to go back. Practicing an abundance mindset and knowing the universe had my back, allowed the money to find me when I needed it opportunities ebbed and flowed over the years.
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There is nothing to be afraid of.
You are not the first person or the last person who will get fired from your job. It's okay. Getting fired doesn't define you. So many people waste their energy miserable in a job they hate all while being terrified of losing that job that keeps them so unhappy. There is nothing to be afraid of, other than living a miserable life and wasting your precious time on this planet. It's too short to constantly be afraid of getting fired. If you do get fired, there is a reason and you have to let go of the anger and find that reason in order to grow.
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If you're unhappy, make a change
Most of us are told what to do, where to be, and who to be for the first 20 or so years of our lives. We're told what to study, when to go to class, and even what hobbies or sports to join in order to stack a resume. It's easy to find yourself on someone else's path and not realize it until you're miserable at work. I think that's why it's perfectly normal to have a quarter life crisis. Just remember, it's okay to make a change if something is no longer serving you!
It's time to grow like a weed!
Every mistake or hiccup is an opportunity to learn and grow. Nobody is perfect. Seriously, not one person walking the face of this planet is perfect. Everyone falls down, it's how you pick yourself back up and use that insight to grow that makes you a winner.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Everyone falls down, it's how you pick yourself back up & use that insight to grow that makes you a winner.” quote=”Everyone falls down, it's how you pick yourself back up & use that insight to grow that makes you a winner.”]
How Getting Fired Was The Best Thing For Me
All of these lessons I just mentioned resulted in one major thing: freedom.
Like I've said, I struggled to find the strength to quit. I knew things were off, and life is too short to stay unhappy. By having faith in the Universe, I gave myself the space to be free and experience what life was offering me. I stumbled into a career I love more than I could ever dream was possible. Today, I have the time and freedom to create the work-life balance I love. I have a lifestyle business that supports me. And I can follow my passions and dreams that I thought died as a kid.
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Resilience seems to be a key feature! Good luck!
Love this post girl!! I love how real you are in every post. I think being fired can make for more opportunities.
This is such a great post! I love how optimistic and how happy this post is! I’m so glad it all worked out well for you. All the best to your new career and being your own boss! xx
Yes! While it sucks, good things can come from being fired. I got a much better job after it happened to me, and it also kept my humble and working hard at the next time. Oh, and I escaped a terrible situation, so there’s that. 🙂
This is a great, positive outlook. This is going to sound so silly, but have you seen the Lego Movie? And that catchy song “Everything is Awesome”? It’s on my running playlist and one of the lyrics is “Lost my job/it’s a new opportunity.” And it always seemed a little silly but it really is true if you can look at things that way. I’m a believer that things like this happen for a reason, even if that reason is just to force us to grow and change.
Wow, this is such an amazing outlook on the positive side of getting fired! I am so glad that you were able to find your freedom and learn so much about yourself during a rough time 🙂
Love your positive outlook on things that can be quite negative sometimes.
Yes, it’s all about the mindset. I’ve been fired before (from an internship LOL at me) and I definitely wish I would’ve had a better mindset during that time.
I like your outlook! Being forced into an early retirement was a huge benefit in my life several years ago. I wasn’t exactly fired, but I found myself in the same conundrum as someone who had been fired. It was such a positive thing in my life and resulted in so many wonderful events and opportunities that were waiting for me. I never would have taken those opportunities if I had still been stuck in that corporate job.
I agree that getting fired would definitely kick any side hustle into high-gear and boost motivation to find what you should be doing with your life, but I don’t really think its fair to assume that “the money will work itself out.” Clearly, I need a better emergency fund
I’m a firm believer in things will always work out. You just have to stay positive.
Great advice, I’ve never been fired (knock on wood) but I believe there is a lesson in everything.
Great advice, I have never been fired before but got passed over for this amazing job and I was pretty down about it.
I’m in the same boat with you in terms of not being a quitter (& something I’m working on)! It’s so hard for me to say no to things or leave situations that aren’t serving me. This was a great post!
-Nicholle
I’m consistently impressed with the attitude you had dealing with those three months of your life! You talk about it with so much dignity and grace. It’s so inspiring.
It’s SO important to be positive! You’re awesome girl, such an inspiration – and seeing the good in every situation no matter how bad it seems is so great!
I absolutely love your mindset! Staying positive can make a world of difference, and turn something that seems terrible into an amazing opportunity!
This is SUCH a healthy mindset to have in this situation! Thanks for your awesome insight, Rach!
This is so interesting! I love your thought process. I just read your post on getting fired from your two jobs too, and it definitely sounds like these were positive things for you in the end, even if they were difficult at the time! Definitely helpful in getting on the right path. xx
I always think about the individuals who fired Oprah, JK Rowling, other famous people, etc. and are totally banging their heads right now. It is actually super inspiring!!! Like, if THEY messed up and failed, so can I! Lol
HAHA Exactly!!
I’ve never been fired, but there are some jobs in college that I probably should have been. I was always late and I still had a lot of growing up to do. I just quit my first job that I have ever quit though and I’m grateful I finally got up the guts; I’ve been trying to look at it that I’m manifesting and sending out that I want something else and I am getting something else!
This is such an interesting take on being fired! I’ve never been fired but I am definitely going to pin this and keep it on hand if I ever encounter this situation!
Yes to it’s not the end of the world! The universe is just challenging you because you have the ability to do something better/different!
This post is so true! I got fired when I was about 23 and I thought it was the end of the world. I, like you, was an overachiever most times without a lot of effort. I knew I needed to quit but kept stalling. I saw it as God telling me it was time to jump out there. I don’t think I would have ever quit if they hadn’t fired me but it was seriously one of the best things that ever happened! I moved out of my comfort zone and did things I would have never done if I stayed at that job.
Yes, sometimes it’s just the beginning to a new chapter and change in your life. This can also apply to searching for jobs and not getting the one you wanted. Who knows what new things you will learn from it!
This is great advice for anyone who recently got fired! I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and you’ve obviously succeeded a lot since that summer!
This is such a great post, Rachel! Getting fired is scary but I love that you’re taking away the stigma. It can definitely be a wake up call!
This is so inspiring! I always worry about money but it always seems to work itself out
One piece of advice that my step-dad gave me is to never worry about money. Like you mentioned here, he always said that money will come. There’s always a way. That advice has always stuck with me. I worked at this horrible job right when I got out of college, and I was absolutely miserable. I quit after a few months and moved back home to my parents’ house and took an hourly job. I felt so defeated, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s so important to seek happiness. Success will be disguised as failure for a little while, but in the end, it always works out. Good luck on your next ventures!
YES YES YES! “success will be disguised as failure for a little while” i have chills! that’s exactly what happens! this was 3 years ago btw haha i mention it in other posts in this series!
these are great tips! thanks for sharing… especially as I am looking for a job right now, so it’s not like these aren’t applicable for me haha
These are really great tips. I’ve more recently realized I need to listen to the universe because it does have my back and has always supported me when I needed it to. I didn’t handle being fired for the first time well it was unfair and I was like what the heck!? But now I know things work out for the best and everything will work out in the end.
I got laid off once because the company didn’t have enough business. It tuned out to be a great thing too. I found a job that I liked better with friendlier co-workers. I too, believe the Universe always has our back.
I got laid off twice in my life and it was the best. Granted, these two jobs were just part time retail jobs I had when I was in high school but Forever 21 cannot pay me enough to ever go back there, haha. Those two jobs would fall under my most miserable jobs I’ve ever had but in reality, I wouldn’t have had the guts to quit either so it’s a blessing in disguise.
I love how you take an unfortunate situation and give it an optimistic spin. Thank you for using your situation to help so many people!
awe thank you!!
Lemonade out of lemons! Sometimes the end of something is the opportunity for something new. I have not had to face this situation, but I hope if I ever do, I remember this advice.
yasss girl! exactly my feelings!
Getting fired can be a real slap in the face initially, but once you get over the initial shock I think it usually does turn out for the best. I have been fired before and I was super embarrassed but it ended up leading me down a path I don’t know if I would have explored. I can confidently say I am so much happier and more fulfilled now!
haha that’s exactly how it feels haha!
I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and it will all work out. Love this post, great job!
Thank you!
Haha not half bad at all 😉
Thank you!
These are great points! I love the universe has your back
Like a lot of things in life, sometimes getting fired can be a blessing in disguise. These are some great things to remember.
Although I’ve never been fired, I have left a job that made me severely unhappy and it was the best choice I’ve ever made! I think it’s important to remember that even if the job doesn’t work out, that doesn’t mean you are a failure! It just means there are better things out there for you!
I definitely agree with all of these points! You just have to believe that everything happens for a reason and it’ll all work out.
Exactly! You do too 😉