[Article & Audio] Opportunity, Not Dead End
Opportunity... Not Dead End
It can feel like the end of the world.
Just when you think you've got the career game in hand, something no one could ever have predicted happens, and you're out.
So what do you do when your life comes crashing down
around you?
You pull yourself together and find a new dream, that's what.
Don't think of it as the end.
Think of it as a chance to reinvent yourself.
You, my friend, have the rare opportunity to live another life.
You pull yourself together and find a new dream, that's what.
Don't think of it as the end.
Think of it as a chance to reinvent yourself.
You, my friend, have the rare opportunity to live another life.
It's like reincarnation without the falling-off-your-perch bit first.
No Regrets.
Have you ever heard stories about people who, near the end of their lives, were filled with regret about the things they hadn't done and the dreams they hadn't gone after?
And every one of them, there at the end, said, "I wish...."
I wish.
The easy way is to do what everyone else expects you to do. Don't expect it to be easy—because it probably won't be—but you should never have to live your life saying, "I wish."
And every one of them, there at the end, said, "I wish...."
I wish I'd started that business...
I wish I'd tried for that promotion...
I wish I'd changed careers...
I wish.
The easy way is to do what everyone else expects you to do. Don't expect it to be easy—because it probably won't be—but you should never have to live your life saying, "I wish."
It Doesn't Have to Be a Dead End.
Maybe getting furloughed or made redundant wasn't part of your original I'm-living-the-dream scenario, but guess what?
It might just turn out to be even better than you could possibly imagine.
But you'll never know if all you do is wish and hope and wait for your industry to recover.
Because though it's true that no one can predict the future, it may be a while before that happens.
And in the meantime, think of all the other things you could try and the other dreams you could chase while you wait.
It might just turn out to be even better than you could possibly imagine.
But you'll never know if all you do is wish and hope and wait for your industry to recover.
Because though it's true that no one can predict the future, it may be a while before that happens.
And in the meantime, think of all the other things you could try and the other dreams you could chase while you wait.
What Stories Will You Tell?
So when you get to the end of your own road, what sorts of stories do you want to be able to tell
your friends and family?
Do you want to have to say, "Well, I was a sales consultant once, but I lost that job during a recession. When the economy improved, I just went back to doing the same old thing. I'd been doing it before, even though I didn't really like it and it didn't pay much."
Think bigger than that, because you're better than that.
Do you want to have to say, "Well, I was a sales consultant once, but I lost that job during a recession. When the economy improved, I just went back to doing the same old thing. I'd been doing it before, even though I didn't really like it and it didn't pay much."
Think bigger than that, because you're better than that.
Or
do you want to be able to tell them, "Well, I lost my job during a recession, but instead of settling for what I was used to, I went out, got some help, and I built a better career. Now I'm the leader I always wanted to be... and not only do I love it, but I'm making more money!"
So here are my questions to you: what does this new stage of your best life look like, and what stories will you tell?
About the Author
✈✈ Gina Longo is a former airline captain and flight instructor who flew as pilot in command on 3000+ flights and carried more than 75,000 people (and many pets) safely to their destinations. She then moved to Great Britain to instruct corporate pilots, later spending three years as an international solo traveller.
As a leadership development trainer and the creator of The Calmfident Leadership® System, she specializes in helping businesses reduce employee turnover by improving leadership skills, so bad bosses don't drive away good employees.
Her great love is German Shepherds, and as a proud U.S. Air Force brat, she tends to answer the question "Where are you from?" with an enigmatic "It depends."
As a leadership development trainer and the creator of The Calmfident Leadership® System, she specializes in helping businesses reduce employee turnover by improving leadership skills, so bad bosses don't drive away good employees.
Her great love is German Shepherds, and as a proud U.S. Air Force brat, she tends to answer the question "Where are you from?" with an enigmatic "It depends."
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