I’ve been let go and I’m angry

Losing a job can lead to anger, resentment, guilt and depression. Just recently I was working with a gentleman who having lost his job, tried to reposition himself and do a job search, only to become discouraged after just a few days with no success. He was hiding out from his wife, pretending to be doing a job search, while in reality he was going to the library to surf the Internet and read magazines. He consoled himself in fast food and high sugar snacks and quickly added about 25 pounds. This, in turn, made him self-conscious about his weight and ill-fitting clothes. “I hated my job, but am still angry about being let go,” he says.

This story is not unusual. New research confirms that losing a job can put people at an elevated risk for emotional and physical problems. Unemployment can start a vicious cycle of depression, loss of personal discipline and decreased emotional health. “Depression can contribute to much longer searches,” notes John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

To break the cycle, take charge of the areas where you can experience immediate success. Increase physical exercise – and note the satisfaction of increased vitality and creative thinking. Increase volunteering and feel the rewards of offering a helping hand. Increase positive reading and listening to inspiring audio tapes – and find yourself with new thinking and ideas. Do special things for loved ones – and feel their genuine support and encouragement.

None of these are directly related to getting a new job, and yet they are very much related. From these come the boldness, confidence and enthusiasm necessary to present yourself well.

From the guaranteed job search process in the new version of “48 Days To The Work You Love”