How scary is starting over?
I work in an environment where every 2-5 years people are moved around and replaced. It was a very odd thing for me to get used to initially because most people tend to stay in the same job until there is a life changing reason to move. But here people choose to take a position they know will only last a few years and then they are off, starting over again and again.
Now it seems like a lot of people close to me are finding themselves in the position where they are starting over not exactly by choice and at this stage of the game it is pretty frightening.
In today’s economic climate there are millions of people unemployed and at a time in their lives where they should have stable jobs, their world is turned upside down.
I’m no expert at starting over but watching someone go through it has taught me a bit about the process.
So what can you do if it’s you having to start over or if it’s a loved one?
HAVE PATIENCE.
I cannot stress this enough. You have to be patient with the person starting over, even if it’s yourself. If you think you’re stressed about the uncertainty of the situation, take a moment to look at it from the point of view of the person going through it. What expectations have they put on themselves? They are probably enormous and in some ways unattainable.
On the flip side of this, if you are the person starting over you need to have patience as well. You can’t make things happen overnight. It takes time and effort as well as accepting that things will not always work out exactly as you want them to.
So for everyone involved be gentle, be kind, take a breath before you speak and choose how you will act rather than reacting in a negative way. Starting over is tough on everyone but only you can make it worse or better.
As I have said before, and I truly believe this, change is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and keeps us alive. It is definitely scary and starting over after having the security of one particular position or job in life can be extraordinarily stressful but it is also a time for growth, learning and the start of something new.
It is really your choice what you make of it.
Posted by: |