I want to take a few minutes to talk about gratitude for your job. If you are employed, you should be grateful. If you have a job you love, you should be even more grateful. There is nothing better than looking forward to going to work every morning, feeling that you are fulfilled, happy and making a difference. If you have a great team and fabulous coworkers, even better. You must be truly thankful if you have great people to work with at a job you love.
What about those who don’t have a job? A large part of my business is career transition and outplacement, helping those who have been separated from their jobs find new ones. It’s hard to be grateful when you have been laid off or fired, especially this time of year. The excitement and joy of the holidays is difficult to enjoy when you worry about making a living. However, there is a silver lining and a few things to remember.
- This won’t last forever. You WILL get another job. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but it will happen. If you have an outplacement coach, it will probably happen sooner. You will survive, you have support, and be grateful that this too shall pass. Look forward.
- You are very likely to get an even better job. Take a hard look at what you have now left behind. Was it perfect? Probably not. You have been given the gift of finding something better; a place that more closely matches your ideal. Be grateful for that gift.
- You will find your best friends and supporters. The people who truly care about you will do everything in their power to help you. Reach out and ask them. Accept their help with gratitude.
It’s very easy to forget how fortunate you are, even if you don’t have a job right this minute. If you have a warm place to live, food on the table, and someone who cares, you are one of the lucky ones. Be thankful for today, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.