Downsized...Now What? 7

Well, the holidays are over. It's been a nice three week break. Christmas was joyous and the New Year was definitely a celebrated new beginning! I haven't had time off like this since I was a kid. What a blessing. With the first Monday of the New Year in full swing...it's time to hustle.

With more lay offs projected for early 2009 I am hopeful and faith filled that I will succeed in spite of my circumstance. I've been receiving your emails of encouragement and motivation. They have assisted me during this time of transition. In my heart lies a burning desire to succeed. I'll be back on the radio full-time before you know it. We have to move through life as if failure isn't an option. When you lose your job don't look at yourself as if you did something wrong or you have failed. This is just another situation that will bring you closer to your purpose. Maybe you are being called to start that business you have talked about for years. Perhaps you need to spend more time with family. Take time now to determine what is important to you in your life RIGHT NOW. Write them down and soon you will realize what is in your spirit and the steps you need to take towards your happiness. Start today...Make it happen.

Downsized...Now What? 5

For the first time in a long time it's Sunday evening and I'm not thinking about what Monday's workday will bring. I just finished a game of Wii Tennis and watching Run's House. This is great, no worries about tomorrow's workday.

You see, it use to hit me around 4pm every Sunday, I would call it the "weekend wrap up blues". Why do we put ourselves through such stress anyway? For me knowing that I didn't have another day to sleep in, spend time with family, or hang out with my sister friends would get to me. One of the issues is we spend so much time at work and letting work, work us; we don't take enough time to fully immerse into the joys we should be having with family, friends and ourselves. Personal time should be sacred. The balance of life and work is ideal to your sanity. Don't spend another weekend rushing to get chores and errands done or checking work emails. Give your self the gift of love and celebration every weekend. Then maybe when the sun sets on Sunday afternoon we won't have another episode of the "weekend wrap up blues".

Take time now to map out your week and don't let anything or anyone overwhelm you. And remember to include a little bit of weekend into your workweek schedule. Once I get back to work, I'll be joining you.

Downsized...Now What? 3

It's been almost two weeks since I was fazed out of my job. Currently I'm regrouping...personally and professionally. It may be another week or another month before I get the job I really want. The one thing I have learned is never jump at the first thing. Time...is on my side.

First and foremost I'm going to have a wonderful Christmas. The holidays have always symbolized a time of joy, giving and love for me...this year isn't going to change that... during hard times I am still thankful.

Spending time with my family is my top priority. I haven't had the luxury of spend two weeks with my family during the holidays since I started my radio career. It's always been about work. I've done all I can right now on the professional front. So as I relax in my son's room admiring all of his little belongs...I am reminded that I am truly blessed!

Downsized...Now What? 2

So, when you walk out the doors of your former job...what do you do? For me it's calling on my brain trust. I drove up the street, pulled over and pulled out the cell phone. They are the six people I reach out to for professional guidance, friendship, support, love and coaching. Everyone needs a brain trust. Do you have a handful of individuals in your field and in your personal life you can count? People that are for you through everything...the good and the bad. People that give it to you straight with no chaser. Please develop relationships with people that can assist you in your career and in life. I treasure my relationship with each of them. They are my rock in this crazy industry.

The first person of my brain trust is my husband. How was I going to let him know we had been hit not once but twice by the economy. Just a week prior he was laid off from his job after 7 years and four months. When he came home after being laid off he was totally upbeat. He came in, put the blue envelop on the chair and said, "I've been laid off...I'm fine...and I'm headed to the patio to have a cigar. I needed a break. It's time to celebrate". WHAT?! I was waiting for the blow that never happened. Now with my fate ...how would he take it the second time. "Really"...the only word that came out of his mouth. After a few seconds, which seemed like an entire commercial break he said, "Just come home and we will talk about it. Everything will be fine. It may be time to go". Cool! He took the news well. But I'm sure my mother who was sitting next to him wasn't so cool. Naw, I can't go home yet. I need more time to digest the situation so I can go home and deal with a mother's love and concern.

I sat in my car dialing away and every call went to voicemail. You gotta be kidding me. Not now! I have some serious stuff to talk about and I can't get through to anyone. Was it my phone? "Dang, T-Mobile work with me". Now I start talking to my phone. OK, I'm really about to lose it. With the next few calls I started getting through to everyone. As I broke them the news, I kept hearing the same thing. "Really"? "Not You". Here's the kicker...they all said something like... you will have a new job in know time, just be positive. Start thinking and attracting the job you want. Go back to grad school. Get ready. Everything will work out. I was already in a good place about things this just make the situation feel a whole lot better.

Then one shared this with me, the best advise of the day. I would like to share with you. When you are moved out of a situation take time to be still. Be quiet. The good Lord has something to tell you. If you keep moving and worrying about what you are going to do next you won't hear what he has to say. "Karen, be still". Don't think about radio for the next three weeks. Do nothing.

Have you been moving so fast on your job or worrying about the job you lost; that you haven't taken the time to sit still? Image being still like a flower growing quietly in a garden. I know it's the hardest thing to do. It was hard for me too. Just sit quietly and let positive thoughts come into your mind. Don't worry about the bills, don't stress about the kids, don't think about updating your resume. Just be quiet.

As I wrapped up my last conversation...we are going on two an a half hours later. I was ready to be quiet and still. Well, until I hit the door at home with my mother waiting for me like I missed curfew. No more talking about the former job, no more career strategy sessions, no more texting everyone back telling them it was true. It was time to do nothing. During my drive home I turned on XM and listened to some straight up jazz. With the movement of the rhythm I got lost in the music. OK, so I'm not totally doing nothing. I told you it was hard. But I did zone out enough to hear my inner voice say, "You are loved, get ready for the next chapter. It's coming sooner than you think".

Downsized...Now What?

Like so many Americans, I have been affected by the current state of our economy. If you or someone you know is facing this up hill battle like my family...know that this is not the end. There are more possibilities ahead of you than you know. Just think positivity and surround yourself with like-minded people.

I'm sharing my story with you because I want you to know, you are not alone. All things are done for your better good. God doesn't want you to worry or stress. Just start preparing yourself for your next career move. Use this blog forum as a resource for positive change. Even if you have to vent a little. I know I will.:-) I look forward to your comments. So, let me share with you my story.

"Therefore...you will be left without a job". These are the words I heard after it was explained to me my position was being fazed out.

When I was called into the office I knew what was going to happen, but isn't REAL until you actually hear the words. So, I'm sitting there with the GM, PD and HR directors. Taking this all in slowly; like my grande-one equal-soy-chai latte I had earlier that morning. Wow, this was really going down and I was pseudo cool with it. This happens in broadcasting. You go on the air. You do the best air-shift ever. Afterwards they call you in the office and tell you it's been nice. No good-bye to listeners or co-workers. For me it has never happened like this; so blunt, so instant, so...final. But I was prepared. Amazingly, it felt like a choir was standing behind me saying, "Ahhhh!" Was this my Ahhhh Moment? I thought Oprah only had those.

As we wrap up the conversation, I said something like, "it's been great and we all will do great things in radio...blah, blah, blah". Then, in my mind of course, Jill Scott starts singing..."Heaay" "ooahh". I look up and say to myself, You're Damn right...keep singing Jill. "Livin' my life like it's golden, livin' my life like it's golden, golden".

I leave the GM's office and go up stairs to my office (old office) to collect my bag and headphones (of course). Then I roll out escorted by the HR Director. I'll come back for everything else. Too much to deal with right now. And my girl, Jilly from Philly, is still singing her heart out keeping my mind on the right track. "Livin' my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden." I feel like getting another latte, but I gotta watch my pennies now.

This situation is not going to keep me from living my life and building my career. I have worked too hard. A quick memory came to mind when my first PD Dave Allen asked me for the first time, if I was available to produce the Saturday Night Live Broadcast. I felt like I had just won the lottery. "I'm In"!, "It's On"! I feel the same way now. I was just let go from the station and all I can think about are positive things that are going to happen as a result of me leaving my job of 7 and a half years. This is not the end of a job, but the rebirth of a career.

Segment 2- The positive aftermath with my Brain trust