Being laid off or fired can be our worst fear, and it’s happening more often.

It might happen to you, and you will be OK.

Working with many BIPOC Women & Femmes coaching clients, the recent tech layoffs have rippled through our community professionally and personally. The impact is emotionally shocking and demotivating for those being laid off and for the survivors.

As a leadership coach, who helps clients reconnect with their confidence, we practice overcoming our worst fears. Fear of upsetting someone, being judged, reprimanded, or even being let go often stops our clients from speaking up and advocating for themselves. 

Facing our fears isn’t easy. Many of us are masters at avoiding them like Neo dodging bullets in the Matrix. It’s the dirty work, the soul work to manifest our goals, to be the One, to become the BADASS person we know we can be.

When we envision being confronted by our fears in a safe container like coaching, therapy, and trusted circles, we can parse out our options, new possibilities, and even new beginnings. 

Practice mental endurance so that when shit does happen, you have the tools and the right mindset to move through it. Yes, it may feel like the end of the world being laid off, and you have everything you need to take one step forward.

Being let go from a job is a change. And you can choose how you move through it and what meaning you place on it because it has nothing to do with YOU! It’s capitalism, greedy growth initiatives that scaled too fast SHEESH… but back to you.

This guide is all about being proactive and doing your own inner work– staying ready so you don’t have to get ready. Grab a pen to answer the prompts.

1. Ask yourself “What will I do if I’m laid off?

Literally. Sit with yourself and ask “What will I do?” Go through what steps you’ll take.

Asking clients, many of them would say. “Well, I’d throw a pity party for a minute.” YES, emotions are very real and all your feelings are valid. You deserve to take a pause and be with yourself. 

Being laid off can be a great opportunity to pause, rest, and reflect. 

Then many of them look up and say, “When I’m ready I’ll look for other jobs.”

Everyone’s finances are different. How much do you have saved? Realistically how long do you have until you have to get another source of income? 

If you don’t have contingency savings yet, how can you start saving and how much runway do you want to save?

If you need help financially, who can help you? What other sources of income can you bring in until you find another full-time role? 

Mapping it out can demystify the catastrophe and can transform it into a realistic plan.

2. Advocate for yourself every day

In this economic climate, it’s even more important for BIPOC women and femmes to speak for their work and advocate for their own career advancement.

Studies have shown that the recent layoffs have disproportionately affected women and BIPOC. Marginalized groups make up less of the workforce, yet their representation of those who are laid off increased.

There are many factors and systemically there are larger problems that have caused the intersectional opportunity gap– the lack of BIPOC women in leadership roles and the pay gap to the white, non-Hispanic man’s dollar.

What individuals can control is how they show up for themselves and the moves they make at work. Displaying your value at work is a skill that requires practice and curiosity.

How do you know if your job is safe? 

What results or key metrics do you need to hit to be put up for promotion this year? 

If you are laid off, who in your network can help you find new opportunities?

If you don’t know these or want more specifics, ASK! 

Set up feedback loops with stakeholders, and ask for specific advice on what they’d do in your shoes. 

For allies and people managers, make sure your performance management isn’t biased and resources are provided equitably. 

3. Prioritize Your Wellness

It’s important to protect your energy and maintain your wellness practices. 

We’re seeing employees and managers feeling demotivated, anxious, and experiencing burnout due to the massive layoffs. 

There’s so much we can’t control, and what you can do for yourself is to treat your body and soul with love and compassion. Folx are feeling depleted and we have to make space to process these changes so that we can move forward. It’s not sustainable to simply push through and keep working as if nothing happened.

If you feel like your body is craving a walk, go for a walk! Your to-do list isn’t going anywhere, and a 30-minute walk will be more productive in the long run giving you more energy and mental clarity.

Do you need a break and want to take PTO? Put in your request!

What boundaries do you want to set so you have time and space for yourself?

4. Explore Your Fulfillment and Purpose

You are not your job. You are a whole person with a life outside of your 9-5.

Your job, yes, can be fulfilling and can give you a sense of purpose, and it doesn’t have to be 100% the source of your happiness. 

Make space for what brings you joy and gives you a sense of purpose for being on this planet. Many of us are playing catch up as the pandemic closed off a lot of those outlets, and it’s not too late to start exploring. 

This can be passions, hobbies, travel, volunteer work, cultivating relationships... Sky’s the limit!

So if you find yourself suddenly jobless, you know how to take care of yourself and what can motivate you to move forward.

Who are you outside of work?

What lights you up?

If you were to start a side hustle, what could it be?

What other industries can you explore?

New opportunities and possibilities may arise if you intentionally create space for them.

5. Get Support

You don’t have to navigate layoffs and your career alone. 

In addition to networking for opportunities, you deserve wellness support, too. 

We are community-made and grown. Reach out to your community, ask for a sounding board, for an accountability partner, getting affirmations from loved ones or a trusted leader at work.

You can join our group coaching program for BIPOC Women & Femmes. We support you in creating space for your wellness, unlearning patterns that don’t serve you, and getting clarity on your purpose. Join here.

Leadership Coach | Healing-Centered Career Development

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