I was told I didn't have a job anymore

I was at a job where I was happy most days, making the most I'd ever made before, leading a team in a store that brought in $1 million in sales per year.

I had been at this job for over 9 years, received accolades for my retention numbers, sales, and profit growth, and I had even begun to train other leaders.

My leader told me that my store was closing, a new one would be built, and that I would not be the General Manager there.  He said that I had done nothing wrong.

I was in shock.  I had a whirlwind of emotions. 

I thought to myself, did I do something wrong? Is he telling me the truth?  Why me?  How can they do this to me?  How am I going to support myself?  I have bills! 

I was beyond shaken.

The first thing I did was ask God for help.  I asked Him to help me if it was his will.

A few days later, I spoke to my twin about what had happened.  He said that the timing couldn't have been better because the organization he was working for was looking for tenured leaders. 

Within two weeks, I had a new job!

Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, only change is.

When you are squeezed and under stress, are you happy with what comes out? 

Are your team members, family, friends, co-workers, and loved ones also happy, or do they avoid you? 

When we're under stress, the real "us" takes a back seat, and the "us" that takes over is making most of the decisions based on fear.

The fearful-you and the authentic-you are two very different people.  I guarantee it.

You might be asking, "How do I fix this?"

The answer is: You've already started.  You've already identified the you that shows up under stress.

You have the first step which is self-awareness. 

Next, think about the authentic-you that you want to show up. 

Maybe authentic-you is loving, supportive, appreciative, and transparent.

If authentic-you showed up instead of fearful-you, how could you positively affect the team members, family, friends, co-workers, and loved ones?

How will the trust that people have in you improve? 

When authentic-you shows up, it has a ripple effect on people. 

It decreases their stress level and the stress levels of those they interact with and so on.

The next time you're feeling stressed out, remember to put authentic-you in the driver's seat and the fearful-you in the trunk!

God bless you.

Shermain

Initial publish date: 3/12/2020