I left a toxic position in healthcare at the peak of the pandemic. Actually, let me rephrase that: I was fired. It was a Friday afternoon and the Director pulled me into their office. They asked me to take a seat and then proceeded to tell me that my position was being eliminated. I was blindsided. How was this happening to me? Didn’t they see how hard I worked? All the unpaid hours I put in and the work done during vacations? I put in the time, and this is how they repay me?

I was ANGRY. When I got home, I didn’t even bother turning on the lights, I just sat in dark silence, fuming. Over the last 5 years, I was so focused on making myself an indispensable part of the team that I neglected to plan for the future what-ifs. I’m a planner, but I had NOT planned for this. Fortunately, I had 4 weeks to figure out my next move but first, I gave myself permission to feel ALL the feelings.

I was mad at them for not seeing my worth.

I was frustrated with myself that I didn’t see this coming.

I was scared of the future unknowns.

After I allowed myself a sufficient amount of time to sulk, I took action. I got out a fresh new legal pad, grabbed my favorite pen, and started making lists. I took inventory of my previous contributions and accomplishments, my skills and strengths, my gifts and abilities. I wrote down my vision for the future. I spent that weekend researching open roles and putting out feelers to my network. I looked into opportunities for growth: continuing education classes, LinkedIn courses, networking opportunities. I spruced up my resume and made sure it was up-to-date.

I was excited!

After taking these action steps (and allowing myself time to mourn my loss), I had a fresh perspective on the situation and realized that the job I had didn’t define who I was. I was jazzed at the thought of utilizing my gifts and abilities in a new role, with a new team to learn from and grow with. I shifted the narrative from “why me?” to “yay me!”

So, what’s next for you?

Maybe you’ve found yourself in a similar unfortunate situation, or maybe you’re ready to make a move on your own terms. Either way, having a rough idea of what you’re looking for next can be extremely helpful. Just like updating a resume, this vision for your future may be ever-evolving, but it can serve as a good starting point when you find yourself at a crossroads. Plan for the “what-if” before it becomes a “what now?”

Written by: Emily Henion, Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC

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