In life, there are a few things that can truly shake us to our core, and one of them is losing a dear one, a heartbreak, or experiencing a sudden shift in our professional journey. Whether it’s due to our own decisions or external circumstances, leaving a job can be a significant turning point filled with lessons and reflections.
Exiting a job, particularly due to unforeseen circumstances, can be incredibly challenging. Without prior plans, one finds themselves emotionally and financially shaken, especially when departure is unexpected and from a position one never imagined leaving.
David Tumusiime, a writer and editor, shares some valuable insights on the intricacies of departing from a job.
Don’t burn bridges
No matter how badly you want to get back at someone who hurt you at your former job, remember, they are not the whole organization.
The satisfaction you get from “getting even” with one person may prove not worth it in the long run if you ever need to deal with the company you parted ways with bitterly in future.
It is not only the person who forces you out of a job who is watching your conduct, other people in that company are too. Some of them are decision makers and they will most likely still be there long after you left and want to make a return with a business proposal. They will remember.
Don’t fall off the face of the earth
Unless you are ready to abandon a whole industry, there is no reason why leaving one job should mean you stop being in touch with the people you worked months, even years with.
The social media hashtag that my next customer could be on your timeline equally applies to your contact list. Actually more. Your network truly is your net worth. You will be surprised how many people were simply waiting for you to be free of a situation to approach you with business ideas they did not think you could entertain while you were previously engaged.
Treasure those who check-in
Our lowest moments tend to show us our truest friends. 9 out of 10 times, the people who check in with you when you are going through a bad patch tend to be the ones who were always in your corner and will be in good and bad times. We just tend not to notice them as easily in the times of flush and plenty.
Take note of them and keep them close. Especially if they are the sort who apart from giving you a listening ear, are also a positive vibe in your life: urging you to pick yourself up and rejoin the race. They are priceless and the foundation of your social life. In Africa, we tend to call those the people who were there at the beginning and who will be at the end.
Don’t rush into the next job
There are bills to pay and the tax man does not care for your current status but if your last employment and separation were traumatic, it behoves you to take some time off. Don’t rush into the next job before you heal from what hurt you. Or are at least mentally ready to take on new tasks.
Everyone heals differently but everyone, yes, even you, know exactly how you need to heal. Listen to your intuition and engage in the activities (not destructive!) that most bring you the stolen peace of mind that you had lost, the happiness and smiles. And then go out there and show you still got this!
Master of your own time
The greatest gift leaving a job gives you is suddenly finding yourself the master of your own time again.
Time is the most valuable asset in the world and you have more of it than most before you embark on your next work adventure. Use it. Use it well. Use it completely. Do not waste a minute of it.
You could start a business, make a lifelong friend, finish a passion project or make that trip you have always dreamed about. Make it count!
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