Laid-off? Embrace negative space

Like most people, I’ve been dismayed by my LinkedIn feed the past few weeks. Layoffs have been coming in huge numbers - some of them (hopefully) strategic, but many of them seemingly indiscriminate.

But amid this disheartening news, there has also been an outpouring of humanity. People everywhere are encouraging those who have lost their jobs and offering to help them network.

Talking to others is most certainly an important thing you can do now, but I’d like to offer some ideas to build negative space into this next stage of your career.

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What is negative space?

It can mean many things, from the semi-hidden arrow in the FedEx logo to the silence points in a Miles Davis song that make the notes around it even more impactful.

When I speak to my clients, I describe negative space as making deliberate time for ourselves that makes us better workers (spouses, friends, and human beings).

This might sound counterintuitive - especially in the situation, you’re currently in. “No, no, no!” you might say. “I’ve got to get moving - and fast! With so many people laid off, job competition will be fierce!”

There’s no doubt that the job market will be difficult, but as the Shakers said, “measure twice, cut once.” By bringing negative space into your job search, you will end up in a place that is more satisfying, more honest, and more you.

Below are some practical ways to bring negative space into your life.

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Accept change

Here’s an exercise I’ve done with clients. Clasp your hands together and see which thumb is on top. Now do it again with the other thumb on top. Feels pretty uncomfortable, right?

This is a great example of how even the slightest change can make us feel off-kilter. And what you’ve just gone through is a significant change. Recognize that.

The change you will feel will be around you, and within yourself. First, you try to adapt to the “new” world you are in. For the second, you try to understand what is happening with you and then how to go out in the world and be the “new” you among others who see the “old”you.

These can both be uncomfortable, but you are making progress.

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Take time to unplug

Amazing things happen when you unplug. When you give your brain the space to be at its best, you’ll be proud of what it can do.

One of the challenges about losing a job is that you feel out of control. But you can help yourself by realizing certain parts of your day are completely within your control. And making time for you - just you - is one of them.

Get out in nature. Take a slow walk and admire the fallen leaves, the changes in sunlight during the day, the interesting bark of a tree. You probably didn’t have enough time to do this when you were working 40, 50, or 60 hours a week. You can now.

Take a block of time to be an artist. We are all artists in some way. Yet, many of us do not nurture our creative side. Write… paint… sing… dance… whatever you need to do to rekindle your muse. Or even just go to a museum and absorb the beauty of the art that others have created.

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Shed things

Why do many animals shed their skin? Simply put, they do so so they can grow bigger or prepare for their next life stage.

Congratulations! You have just shed your skin.

You didn’t choose to shed this particular skin, but now that it’s happened, it’s an opportunity to build more negative space in your life by continuing the shedding.

Yes, there are physical things you should shed to help keep your finances in order. How many streaming services do you pay for? If you’re like me, the answer is too many. You can also save significant money by skipping food delivery services and calling the restaurant directly.

But this is also a chance to shed people that aren’t good for you. There are connections in your life that will bring positivity and hope to you - and others will do just the opposite, accentuating the negative aspects of what you’re going through and sowing doubt in your mind. I’m not recommending you write them out of your lives, but recognize the difference and create space between you and negative voices.

Also, in the world of networking, you will find people who go above and beyond for you that you didn’t expect would. Conversely, there will be people who do the bare minimum for you, or even less. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’ve helped that person in the past. Let it go… and let them go.

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Learn about yourself and your mission

As you continue to create negative space in your life, you will find yourself more open to the possibilities that exist. You’ll begin to get a clearer picture of what your true calling is - not just what other people or the voices in your head think you should do.

When I worked at Toyota, I learned about “The Five Whys”, a fascinating way of problem solving developed by Sakichi Toyoda (not a typo - I’ll explain another time) that is centered around deep analysis to determine the root cause of a problem.

Were you truly happy at the company that let you go? Why or why not? What can you learn from the experience that will put you on a path towards more fulfillment? Why do you do what you do?

Learning comes when you seek it out, and when you are open to it. Take responsibility for it.

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Consider becoming an entrepreneur

As a last piece of advice, I’d encourage you to consider not getting another job and instead go out on your own. I have found so much satisfaction by building my own businesses.

I spoke with someone who after a decade at a firm was laid off. She had survived five reorgs, but not number six. She said something I found inspiring: "Now, as an independent contractor, I feel more secure in my 'job'. I know what I put in is directly correlated to what I get out. No one can pull the rug away from under me."

I certainly know that people often have lots of questions and doubts regarding their ability to be an entrepreneur.

So I begin by asking them a simple question: “If you could learn how to do your current job, why couldn’t you learn how to run your own business?”

I hope the above ideas give you some new perspectives to consider. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can offer any assistance in your journey.

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One final thought

When you feel like you are at the end of something, you are actually at the beginning of something new.

A small change in perspective can make all the difference.

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