Redundancy - or Release?
In these economically
uncertain times there is increasing talk about ‘redundancy’. It is a word that
sends shivers of fear down the spine of many people today, but what does it really
mean?
According to the
dictionary, ‘redundant ‘ means “superfluous, no longer needed”. In the
thesaurus, similar words are “surplus, unnecessary, unwanted”. Who wants to
feel they are any of these? The word ‘redundant’ does not have positive connotations.
However, truth be told, it is not the person that is redundant, it is the job –
you just happen to be filling it!
If viewed positively,
it could be the best thing that ever happened to you, after all ”every cloud
has a silver lining” or so they say.
I think the process
should be called ‘release’. This may bring to mind being released from prison,
but I am sure that many of us have, at some time, felt as if our jobs imprison
us and stop us doing what we would truly love to do with our lives.
So redundancy can give
life to dreams and ambitions that have been buried under layers of habit, fear
and procrastination for years. Redundancy is one of the biggest fears as it
takes away security, regular income, status and identity. But it gives a lot as
well – the opportunity to take stock and redesign your life.
Have you ever asked
yourself what success means to you?
Anthony Robbins defines
success in the following terms:
“Success
is doing what you want, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as
much as you want”
Your definition will be
as individual as you are, but I suspect that as well as a certain amount of
money and security there will be a thought as to the way the money and security
is gained. Few people have the opportunity to achieve success in their chosen
field of endeavour because obligations of family and home take priority over an
authentic life. If you are facing the threat of redundancy, or have recently
experienced it then you have the perfect opportunity to reconsider your whole
future and change the outcome.
It is often the case
that we won’t jump voluntarily but wait until pushed. As a child I was taught
to dive. It terrified me, mostly, I think, because I have an irrational fear of
being upside-down. So I would stand on the side of the pool, perfectly poised
to dive but not actually taking the plunge. I knew what to do but didn’t dare
do it. Instead I waited until someone came along and pushed me because they
couldn’t stand it any longer. Think of redundancy as the Universe giving you
that push to lead a more authentic life.
Many of us suffer a
sense of disappointment our whole life, not because we don’t have love and fun
in our lives but because we aren’t brave enough to make changes and admit what
we would truly love to do, in case it upsets the status quo. Many who have
faced redundancy have the feeling that they have somehow failed, even though it
is not their fault and they have done nothing wrong. Indeed they may have been
the model employee.
Many who do not
experience redundancy would love the opportunity to make the change and move
out of jobs they hate, but are terrified to risk change despite the damage it
is doing to their self esteem and inner happiness. On the outside you may
appear a success but only you will know how successful you really feel.
In many cases
redundancy is firmly in our panic zone and is to be avoided at all costs, but
when it happens, what can be done? Firstly know that you have not failed, the
universe is forcing you to take hold of a new opportunity, giving you the
chance to rethink and redesign your future. It has been said that the worst
thing in life isn’t failing, it’s never having tried.
A coach can guide you
to a place where you can access your own inner wisdom and take charge of your
future. It may be an unfamiliar feeling to have choices as to the direction you
might like to take and how you would like your future to be. How fortunate you are
to have this ‘problem’. It usually comes with a cash cushion to enable you to
take a little time to consider your options or to simplify your life by paying
off mortgage or loan. Not many have this golden time for reflection – embrace
it.
Many people say they
feel they have let down their family – especially their children. I have news
for you – staying in a job you hate just for them is letting them down far
more. Children admire parents who have the courage to make the change – they are
the inspiring ones who dare to go after their dreams. By doing so they give
their children permission to do the same. I wonder how many parents have told
their children to find a job that makes them happy, while staying in a job they
clearly hate? Children know when you aren’t walking the talk – you owe it to
them. My son often tells people that he finds me the most inspiring person he
knows – because I had the courage to quit a well paid job and pursue my dreams.
He is now doing the same!
Ask yourself what your
ideal day would be – where would you live?
Who would you spend time with?
What would you do with your day?
What would you eat?
What would you wear?
Write it out in minute
detail – really feel it, get passionate about it. If there is no passion, think
again. Keep playing with the idea until your true desires surface – maybe
kicking and screaming at the unaccustomed daylight (they have been hiding in
the darkest recesses for many years, possibly your whole life) and feel the
passion they unleash.
Now take each aspect of
the dream and find out exactly what it is that holds the appeal for you – what
makes you want it? Then ask what you need to do, or know to make it happen. Do
you need to learn new skills? Taking on the services of a coach can make the
process a
lot quicker and less
frightening. You will be guided at your pace and will work entirely to your
agenda. The coach is non-judgemental and gives you space to explore who you
really are and what you really want by asking incisive questions.
Once you have some
ideas you then need to make a plan of the order in which actions need to be
taken. Find out about courses, ask about financial support and advice, talk to
family and friends openly and honestly about the situation. To be on your side
they need to know the reality of the situation – it isn’t anything to be
ashamed of. It is an opportunity to celebrate – you are very fortunate.
Once you have a plan
then you must take action. This is another area where a coach can be an
enormous benefit. A coach will help you explore the possible barriers to action
so you can work to remove them and then a coach will hold you accountable for
the actions you have decided to take. You will have to explore deeply the
reasons for not taking action – this often spurs people on to do what they say
– so much easier!
SO, redundancy is a
good thing – if you decide it is. I think there should be a new definition of
the word which should be “ a golden opportunity to redesign your life and
achieve your authentic goals and ambitions”. It’s much easier to do this with
the support that redundancy offers than it is without it. So smile, be grateful
for the shove that the Universe has given you and go get your dream life – it’s
got your name on and it’s waiting for you to claim it as your own. Have a great
future!
For more information go to www.freepersonalrebrandingbook.co.uk
www.successandimagecoach.co.uk
www.suecourtney.com
