With the ongoing recession and all kinds of other things going on in our lives, it can be pretty common to receive what appears to be bad news. Life being what it is, things aren’t always going to go your way. That’s an unfortunate but ultimately inevitable fact. With this in mind, how do you go about handling so-called bad news? Do you interpret it as an insurmountable obstacle or something else altogether?
Life as a Struggle
Going back to the context of the recession, a good number of very good people are losing their jobs. They’re getting laid off left, right, and center. People are also watching as their retirement funds and home values wittle away under less than ideal market conditions. The situation can sound awfully grim, right?
Well, you may also remember the recent Gallup poll saying that 70 percent of American workers are unhappy at their jobs. They may stick around because it’s the only thing they know or they have grown too comfortable with the steady paycheque. I understand how that can be hard to give up and how easy it is to be lulled into a state of complacency. In this way, getting laid off may be one of the best possible scenarios for them.
Framing Obstacles as Opportunities
At first glance, losing your job can sound like one of the worst things that could happen in your life. However, it can force you to re-evaluate your career and the direction in which you are heading. By getting laid off, you are finally given a swift kick in the rear end and you have an opportunity to explore your real interests.
No one ever said that it was going to be easy; it won’t. You may have to go back for some new training and you’ll likely be thrown into some novel (and possibly scary) situations. That’s okay. This is a challenge. This is an opportunity for both personal and professional growth. If life was too easy, it would also be too boring. And you don’t want to get stuck in that kind of rut. You want to explore your full human potential, both within and away from the vocational realm.
The True Measure of a Man
You don’t see the true measure of a man (or woman) under the most ideal of situations. Most of us know how to handle good news and good fortune. It’s when things aren’t exactly ideal, even difficult and frustrating, that you really see your worth. This is your opportunity to shine.
As in poker, it’s not about the strength of the cards you are dealt; it’s about how you choose to play them.
Great ending line Michael. I’m looking at this time it can only make me stronger. I have a great family, I have my faith and I have my online friends. There are a lot of others who are worse off than I am, so what do I have to complain about?