The Top 5 Benefits of Getting Fired
“The roads less traveled often lead to the most rewarding destinations.”
~Unknown
As my aircraft landed at LAX, I got an email telling me I was fired.
I do not fit the profile of someone who is easily let go, dismissed, or expelled without being invited back.
Not at all reflective of my past performance. Where did it go wrong?
The advertisement appeared on Craigslist, where I found out about it. There was a need for new teachers and management at a children’s theater program in order to relaunch the organization. They required an industry expert who also had the ability to educate others and the commercial acumen to lead their expansion.
Application. Interview. A follow-up meeting! So far, so good. Soon, the firm would move into a brand-spanking-new, state-of-the-art facility. They were open to new ideas. It was clear to me that I had a lot to offer.
They were interested in hiring me on a freelance basis. That didn’t bother me at all. I inquired whether there was a formal agreement or contract in place. My previous encounters with contractors included actual contracts.
They stated they didn’t have contracts since they trusted their hires, but I could put one up if I wanted to, and we could go from there.
So that’s what I did. I used a contract that a previous employer had given me as a starting point, and I also spoke with my attorney father to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I tweaked it a little and sent it over to them. There was nothing really contentious; I just wanted to make sure we both understood the terms of the agreement.
The days went by. My anxiety levels rose. Everything was going so well and rapidly. The email finally arrived. To meet and discuss the contract, may I please come in?
And so I walked in for meeting number three. They moved me to a classroom this time. The proprietor questioned my lack of faith with a faux-paternal crease in his forehead. Why I had taken the time to put up this official report.
Then followed the PowerPoint, where I meticulously pointed out all the ways in which my contract stabbed them in the back.
Right about now is when I should have grabbed my bag, thanked everyone for their time, and walked out the door without looking back.
It wasn’t my decision, however.
I sat there, being criticized, bewildered, and trying to defend myself without coming out as defensive while still being open to their comments and revisions and still wanting to look out for myself.
They just didn’t get or value stuff like that there. So I started my new job with a mutual lack of trust between my supervisor and myself.
Over the course of a few weeks, the organization’s underlying problems ruined whatever progress had been made.
Dubious advertising methods. Workers influence the higher-ups. Worse Business Bureau Ratings and Complaints
Even so, I stuck put. I thought I could have a positive impact there and that there was worthwhile work to be done. The need to help and create clouded my judgment.
I routinely vented to a colleague about the decisions management was making. This is neither a commendable nor a desirable quality.
I wasn’t impolite or out of line, but I also didn’t keep silent. I expressed some worries. I publicly criticized official actions. I pushed for a more honest approach to our work.
The way this tale is being told, it’s also evident that this was never a home for me.
However, my fury overshadowed my relief when I saw that email on the runway.
My family history was deemed “too aristocratic,” which was a major strike against me. My requests for things like contracts, mission statements, and salary parity with other instructors evoke images of the aristocracy.
Even though I was angry and unemployed, I learned to be grateful for what I had.
As a result of my dismissal, I discovered the following five benefits:
I realized that I needed to stop blaming other people and start doing my part.
Despite my best efforts to prove myself right and others wrong, I must admit that I have contributed to the dynamic that has resulted in the current impasse. It wasn’t as easy as the evil people just throwing me under the bus; my hands were soiled.
If you were fired, you probably contributed to the situation in some way. Taking ownership of your actions makes it much simpler to let go of your frustration.
Resentment was replaced by acceptance.
Not a good match for me. That was true, despite my wishes to the contrary. Being let go forced me to see beyond my own preferences and view things for what they really were. The truth is the first step in recovery from a traumatic situation.
I stopped associating my value with my job.
If I wasn’t working, earning a living, and making a difference in the world, then who was I? In order to find a satisfactory response, I had to accept Laura as she is rather than as she does. A more accurate description would be, “You’re not a human doing, you’re a human being.”
By developing an appreciation for your “being,” you not only strengthen your connection to yourself but also grow in your capacity to cherish the other “beings” in your life.
I was given a clean slate.
It may seem trite, but it holds true. Leaving behind the comforts of home forced me to reflect on my goals and desires and ultimately gave me the confidence to pursue them.
Do-overs are a great way to revitalize yourself and give your life a much-needed jolt.
I realized the value of going with my instincts.
Early on, I felt the need to jump ship, or rather, not join the ship at all. Now I know to trust my gut instincts and follow them without needing to analyze or explain every nuance. Listening to that inner voice might help you connect your actions with your highest level of wisdom.
No matter the reason, losing your job is painful. However, one may find opportunities in almost any situation. You can’t fire yourself again, but you can control how it makes you feel. The beast has certain benefits if you look hard enough.
