Although layoffs are becoming fewer the last days of 2009, you should still be guarded and take every precaution to ensure you never experience this pain first hand (see blog 9/28/09). In the event you are laid off, below are some actions a newly laid off person might make to their own detriment. Don’t let this happen to you. Be prepared.

Leaving on bad terms: Being told you are no longer a valued asset at an organization can be a real blow to ones ego. Don’t let it. Layoffs and downsizing is simply a product of the current recession we are experiencing. The company’s value may have changed but yours did not! You still possess the same great skills you did just the day before you were laid off. When you take it personally, you allow negativity to control your thoughts and actions. This is never wise. I know someone who took a lay off so hard that she decided to fight it. I could understand if she was being singled out, but in this case many top performers were let go. Because of her poor attitude and actions, no one wanted to recommend her for any future employment opportunties. Instead of being remembered for the stellar work she did, she will only be remembered for the poor behavior she displayed her last days.

No immediate review of your budget: Even if you have a nice emergency fund, the same stream of revenue you enjoyed coming in, will either cease to exist or will be very limited for a while. Take immediate actions to review your current assets and liabilities, and while you are doing this, think of these words: Need vs. Want. When I was fist laid off I had to immediately discontinue my ballroom dancing lessons. This killed me! I absolutely love to dance and it is a regular part of my exercise regiment. However, I realized this was something I “wanted” and did not “need” to sustain livelihood. I can utilize other means to exercise, and once my revenue stream comes back, I’ll sign up for more lessons. The simple pleasures of life, like golf, manicures, etc….will simply have to be put on hold until employment issues are resolved.

Taking too much time to “regroup”: I believe it is important to take some quiet time and think about what your future holds. Most layoffs happen on a Friday, so the weekend to rethink your life’s mission is a good period, perhaps even the entire following week. But I do not recommend any more time than that. Think long and hard about what you want to do with your new life, but start putting together plans and strategies to help you move forward. Also, it is important from a psychological perspective to maintain some kind of routine or schedule. I have friends who utilized this time to sit around in their pajamas and watch TV. Not me! The following Monday I got up at my usual time, worked out, and then set an agenda for the day. It was also important for me to get out of the house. Human contact is important during this period. I went to Starbucks stores, the library, book stores, and FedEx Office locations to plan, write, or conduct follow up phone calls. I felt more productive and was pleased with myself for not just sitting at home doing nothing. It also allowed me to network and meet potential clients. In fact, the first biography I wrote was for someone I met at a Starbucks store.

No clear employment strategy: Being positive and getting out of the house is good, and a solid plan can ensure this period is not very long. Be sure to put together a plan that entails a good strategy I call the 4WH plan (the Who, What, When, Where and How). For example, what kind of jobs do you want to pursue now, where are they, when will you forward your resume or take time to talk to someone within the organization, and when will you follow up with them, etc…If you find this challenging, there are organizations that can help you network to find these opportunities. Most importantly, hold yourself accountable. Give yourself specific goals and deadlines and then meet them. If you have a hard time doing this yourself, ask for assistance from a spouse or friend. The people in your life want to help and sometimes they do not know how. This is a great opportunity for both: they feel valued in helping you and you tap into their brain power for assistance.

Allowing pride to get the best of you: Pride can be an issue for any of the previous steps, but don’t let it get the best of you. If cash is tight and you qualify, file for unemployment. You most likely put into the program, now is the time to use it. If you need to ask for assistance, that is what family and true friends are there for. I hated the idea of filing for unemployment. I have never been unemployed; this was all new to me and at times I didn’t like how I felt. But unemployment was part of my taxes for many years at my old employer, so I was going to file. Don’t continue to put on airs if you’re struggling financially. You may not need to borrow any money but let it be known money is tight or you are on a strict budget so your friends and family understand when you can’t do certain things or go places with them. Being laid off is not crime, a sin or a punishment. It’s just a short period in your life, and if you look at it with a positive perspective, it could end up being the best thing that ever happened to you…it was for me!