A few days ago I had lunch with a member of Team Severance (TS), and she was glowing. It wasn’t because she had just finished 90 minutes of crazy weight lifting and cardio at her fitness club, although in fact that was true. She was on top of the world because she had a phone interview that morning with an entrepreneur in London! This fellow is a VC guy, had bought and sold companies many time over and I can only imagine, is probably 10 years younger than I am. She said he loved her resume, and commented that she was very articulate. He noted that they had some experiences in common and told her there might be some leadership opportunities in companies he would soon be buying. She of course will be a FIND for anyone. So after I listened to her I reflected on what there is to be grateful for, large and small.
I had another conversation with a member of TS who had an outstanding discussion with a search consultant. I caught him on his way into a Kinkos for a video interview. He had just returned from a visit to Philadelphia. Each of the search consultants were incredibly impressed with his qualifications and want to talk further. Of course. We know how amazing he is. It helps though to hear it coming from the other side of the table, the other side of the video screen, or the other side of the world. I don’t even remember driving my car, while I was on the phone with him. It was completely energizing to hear THAT tone in his voice. The sound of “good things yet to come”.
And today, I returned from an interview. I felt confident I could make a difference in this company and spoke in a way that I think demonstrated my knowledge, energy, focus, and leadership style. I debriefed with a friend and mentor afterward and just talking through the experience out loud allowed me the chance to revel in the possibilities of a new challenge and new relationships. I received 4 phone calls this evening,from people who just wanted to check in.
In Mike Morrison’s recent blog,(See – theothersideofthecard.com) he says “Every day offers a powerful sense making opportunity”. I think some of this “sense making” at this time, for some of us, maybe for all of us includes these things -
- We can be grateful for having this time to mold our lives in a new direction.
- This time of change gives us a chance to take stock in how much we’ve learned in the past and how we can contribute to a Larger Purpose in the future
- This transition time, could be very lonely, but we can be grateful for the support that we have given, are giving and will give to each other in the future. It has made all the difference.
The universe has opened up possibilities for all of us. I will relish hearing the stories.
Like Peg, I’ve been reading the “Happiness Hypothesis.” It’s in one of the final chapters that I found a description of what is now missing in my life. The Chapter, “Happiness comes from Between,” opens with a quote from Willa Cather: “I was entirely happy. Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become a part of something entire whether it is sun and air, or goodness and knowledge. At any rate, this is happiness: to be dissolved into something complete and great.”
I had the incredible privilege to be “dissolved into something complete and great” in my previous role. It was with amazing, talented people and we were working for something so much bigger than ourselves.
The chapter goes on to talk about the happiness formula (H)appiness = S(etpoint) + C(onditions) + V(oluntary activities). The author says a bit part of C is love, since we are ultrasocial creatures, but the second most important part of C is having and pursuing the right goals to “create states of flow and engagement.” Today, that means work. People love to “make things happen.” The author explains that if you see your life as a calling, you find it intrinsically fulfilling.
And the best part of this for me is that the author gives permission for work to be something you love to do! It’s truly part of being abundantly happy.
I am grateful for having been dissolved into something so much bigger than me, and it is my profound hope that I will find an opportunity again that allows me the same.
One by one, the talented and nobel members of team severance are crossing the brink of hurt and anger, and we are beginning to look forward with anticipation. That sense of passion and excitement, even yet in infancy, can be found in conversations with recruiters, interviews or just reconnecting with a business associates who still see you as the person you are.
For me, I found my passion once again in a meeting with my new “outplacement executive coach.” Like me, you probably didn’t even know this specialized role existed. Okay, I would rather not have know but that said, he is my new best friend. At the age of 89, and having worked for over 15 years in this role, he totally understands the implications of what has happened, and what it will take for me to move forward successfully. We talked, really talked about what I wanted from the future. And from the mist of emotion began to see a future of possibility and opportunity that only the gift of my situation could allow.
And not lost on me is my coaches definition of retirement and zeal for life. He “retired” from GM at 60. Started his own company which he sold at 70 after which he went to work part time for a company doing what he loves to do. Asked why he still does it, “I get to meet incredible people like you and help them find success.”
Go team severance or anyone facing adversity. A bright future is right around the corner.
I have worked for government for 37 years. Yes, 37 years. Surprisingly, in following “Peg’s Blog”, I find that I can relate in many ways even though I can’t relate to the experience that binds many of you together. I have the same commitment, compassion..more…than when I first stumbled into this wild and crazy work. In the past year, I became a political appointee (governnent’s version of “living on the edge”). I am here “at the whim” of the Governor and Director. I’m good at what I do. But being an appointee in unstable budget times is scary (amplified by my partnership with a retired, part time consultant husband and by my support, emotionally and financially, to my college student son). I take heart in the comments I read from each of you on “Peg’s Blog.” Whether my present is part of my future or leads me to other experiences, you’re honest sharing of feelings, your words of encouragement to each other, your humor and your mutual support is uplifting. You all provide more inspiration to others than you recognize…probably always have, probably always will. Thank you.