Pink slip with a silver lining?

I got laid off in January which was a tough pill to swallow. In my 20+ years of working I had never had that experience.  The company had warned us it might happen and given the economy I knew it wasn’t personal. But it still hurt. The hardest part was being cut-off from the people I enjoyed seeing every day and working next to. Great people.  Interestingly, what really helped me get through it were things like Gmail, Facebook and LinkedIn. I was able to stay connected to most everyone. It really made a difference. In fact, through emails, txts and posts several of us who were ‘reduced’ (former employers term not mine) created an informal group of support and sharing job search tips. Even though we curse it from time to time, staying electronically connected in this day and age does have its many advantages.

Now after several months of getting over the shock, sadness and getting my resume in order I am in an interesting place. I’m finding the job my resume was built to get me isn’t the one I am necessarily interested in having.  I recognize that with the economy the way it is, I can’t be choosey. However, the state of the economy has also made it necessary to be flexible and open to different opportunities.  In a way, it has given me permission to reinvent myself. So while I spend my time at the job of finding a job I am also spending time developing my creative side through classes. I have discovered an entrepreneurial spirit I didn’t know I possessed and am considering starting my own business leveraging mediums such as twitter and blogs. I’m finally having the time to volunteer and realize that should I work again for another company it would be very important to me that they give back. (In this day and age, it should be part of every CEO’s job description that their company gives back to the community and planet but that is a topic for another day and post!).

After doing what was probably the best work of my career, my company laid me off several months ago.  It didn't come as a complete surprise as the budget for my work in the coming year was eliminated.  There was first the shock, the disappointment, and then the depression.  There were days when I didn't want to get out of bed.

Now I'm meeting many new interesting people and am building a freelance business.  I'm beginning to see the benefits of being my own boss.    I love the flexibility -- I went kayaking today between AM and PM working sessions.  I had time to familiarize myself with social networking.  It is not only a hot topic in marketing, but it also served to keep me connected to my friends/family and to further build up my business contacts.  No more wasted time commuting everyday to work!  People are telling me I seem to be happier.  You know, I think they are right! 

During times of transition, now is an excellent time to ask youself, where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years.  If there is a financial goal you need or want to achieve, how does that weigh in to your transition options?  Are you wanting to run your own business or feed a hobby or passion?  Are you needing to work full time involving a full time income, but want to change industries?  The most effective transitions are when you can bridge your past experience and show relevance to your future employers, or free lance clients.