I have an issue I hope you guys can help me with.
So about a month ago I left what I believe was the best place i've ever worked at. The people were phenominal, caring and fun, and the projects were challenging and rewarding. But due to a clash of personalities from the higher ups (as well as some personal issues) I wasn't comfortable or happy working there anymore, and the company could see it.
So for my own well-being they let me go. This was the first time i've ever been let go (not because of redundancies, or the change in the company structure, but more because of me).
I still feel that that company made the right call on letting me go, and I do appreciate them for it, but I feel my self-esteem took a bit of a hit from it, and I'm kind of dreading looking for a new role.
I've never experienced this before and I don't know how to overcome it, but I would really appreciate it if anyone has or knows anyone who's experienced something like this before and what they did to overcome it.
Thanks again guys for the help
Replies14
- I have in that place many times. I read some of the responses and I think this approach has being mentioned before. I had a mentor once who asked me this question: what did you like as a child, that you could spend hours doing without getting tired? I did find more than one answer and made a U turn.
- @Scott Morrison Hi Scott,First of all I really appreciate your advice (didn't realise I would still be getting so much support as I posted this months ago).I've done and am currently doing exactly what you've said. I fortunately came across Chris Do who is a creative and business entrupener who is the founder of 'the futur' which is a youtube channel that gives invaluable advice to designers.Since then i've been freelancing, working on some great projects which have been in art installation and 3D (something which i've done before which did make me happy but felt that money and climbing the ladder fast was the best way to go) but now I wake up knowing that I'm doing what I love, what I enjoy and what i'm specialised in and its completly turned my world over.Due to COVID 19 i'm currently working on getting my online website ready to showcase the work that i've done and put my name out there further and to hopefully reach for the stars.Thank you to all who encouraged me to move forward and not to dwell on the past, and all better for it, so all i can say is.......Thank you with all my being.Hope you all stay safe out there.
- It’s also a moment where you can feel you NEED to get another job or role just to satisfy those urges. I did and wished I hadn’t.I really wanted to move client side and ended up taking another role that did nothing but exacerbate my negative feelings. It clouded everything and actually made me more unhappy that I had been previously.So - as hard as it may feel, take this time to pause. Have a REAL think about your feelings now, your ambitions for the future and the options to get there.There are amazing networks on here, opportunities to do short term ‘test and learn’ projects and shed loads of advice/connections and mastermind groups who you can lean on.Reconnect with yourself, focus on what you want to really do and use this time to pause, prepare and push off.Good luck and please remember that when or if you’re going through hell, keep walking.I’m posting an inspirational quote and story every day on LinkedIn if it helps.Stay Boom!
- Hi AhmedCan feel pants right now but what a moment to have a chance to think about what you REALLY want and what’s the beat way to get there.I remember the feelings associated with being let go when I left a role in advertising. It can make you feel worthless, disoriented and stressed out. It’s also
- Being let go is unfortunately a frequent part of the creative landscape at the moment. I have been made redundant and have also left a previous role as the company had to adapt to the currant climate with structural changes that didn't seem to be a fit for me. Talking to people that had been through similar issues really helped and it's surprising how many people have been through the same thing as it's so common now. See at the situtation as, if you weren't right for each other then that is for the best! Get excited about finding somewhere new that works for you! It's as important that it's the right place for your needs and career goals, not just the other way around.
- Sorry to hear that mate. I went through two redundancies and that hit my confidence, especially when looking for the next role as I didn't want to experience that again.Going to events and talking with other designers and finding out that they went through similar things helped me not to feel alone. Also going to the Dots masterclass and talking with Creative Directors who gave encouraging advice and feedback on my work.You may find it helpful to look at areas you can control and work on them. If there were aspects of yourself that were an issue look at how to become better. And if there are areas outside your control (like intolerable people - I would read up on working with such people without being driven insane :-)Brave post mate!A link that might help (old but gold):7 habits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaTmv67WpRM
- It's seems as you have had a good last talk with you're former employer.In some types of contexts, even if it hurts, it can be good to remember that for the sake of the project, it can be good to step off. It is not you or the other person/s who is the primary driving point for it going wrong. It's the dynamic between all parties.If you haven't already. Analyze what you learnt what you liked and didn't like, from this experience and try to figure out what you need to look out for, do different, the next time.
- I just published The life of a designer sucks https://link.medium.com/gYVHovQQC2 maybe this can help.
- Hello Ahmed! Thanks for your honesty and vulnerability. It can feel a bit overwhelming thinking about next steps after this but just pause and take some time to reflect. You are so astute in your undertsanding of the situation and that's the first half sorted. In some cases we have to grieve past work experiences properly and audit the experience so that we can think about next steps coherently and with fresh eyes. Making changes in our work life can be difficult because of all the deep-rooted experiences and memories we may have about our previous job. But take some time to think about what confidenece enhancing moments you had, skills and strengths you used, connections you made, how you shined with particular projects and cultivate a list of your wins & achievements. Equally it's worthwhile noting how different peoples' personalities and intereactions triggered you in different ways and what you might need to learn, embrace or shapeshift in your character too, to strengthen/embolden your resolve for any other future workplaces. Because let's face it we are likely to come across people we don't get on with time and time again, so it great to cultivate your awareness, resilence and understanding of each experience. When we leave one place or a department, we face that scary prospect of not knowing what we will run into next and battling our internal imposter syndrome about whether we can deliver results again in a new space. You can and you will! Strengthen your support network and lean in and ask for help when you need it. Visualise the new realities you want to find and then start actively taking a toe dip into a few projects that align with your next driections, values and strengths alignment. One step at a time, you've got this!
- Stay strong Ahmed - something better is coming.Later, you'll wonder why you felt this way. But for now, embrace it. It's part of the process - we're learning about ourselves, our skills and our industry all the time. And we can use everything we learn to make us better.As for overcoming your experience, turn any negative feelings you have into positive ones - think about your future, not the past. Get excited about what comes next.
- @Sarah Boris, @John Hegarty, @Richard Robinson, @Paul Kemp-Robertson thank you all for the great advice you’ve given me, and to no lesser extent the inspiring pep-talk. Your stories and experiences have shown me how common my situation is which in term has made me think less highly of it. I’ll definetly take what you all have said on board now and for the future. I’ll have a look at NARBS, as well the other suggestions you’ve given me.I wish you all enjoy the upcoming holiday season, and I’ll keep you all posted on any changes.
- Hi Ahmed. It's a bit of a cliche to say that being made redundant can turn out to be the best thing that happens to you, as it forces you to open new doors - but in my case, it was definitely true. I talked myself out of the big comfy global job at a big agency network that I'd been doing for six years (inc. pension! expense account! business class travel!) and the jolt of being forced to 'pursue other interests' led me to take a risk and create Contagious with an old boss. Part of my motivation was to prove a point about the future of creaivity to the people I'd left behind. The positive thing about your question is that is shows you have the self-awareness to accept that your departure was a two-way thing. Honesty is a superpower, but so is empathy. Hopefully the festive break will give you a chance to reflect and figure out why you felt such a disconnect with the higher-ups, and to think of any steps you could have taken to reach a mutual understanding rather than letting any resentment fester. Maybe you need to ease yourself back in by doing some shorter freelance projects, just to get your equilibrium back? As Richard says, try Nabs - or you could look at some career coaching books, like 'The Squiggly Career' that's being published in early Jan. Good luck with opening new doors, and don't be afraid to ask for more help later on if you need it. Us creative types have to stick together ;-)
- Hi Ahmed. NABS are here for exactly this question. A bunch of great people at the heart of the commercial creative industry waiting to support you, and best of all it's free. Link here > https://nabs.org.uk/how-we-can-help/advice-line/
- Regardless of your feeling of low self-esteem at the moment, I find you are extremely constructive and positive despite what happened. It seems you have already done a self appraisal of the situation and that you have a really good outlook about it, in thinking that it was best for both sides. Don't let 'being let go of' bring you down. Focus on everything positiive you have at the moment. I recommend you look at new opportunies and build on your strengths. Also offload how you feel with close friends so you can get it off your chest and move on. As creatives sometimes the fit won't be right and it's ok. It does not reflect necessarily on you. I also recommend doing something that makes you feel good and boosts your self esteem. Perhaps you could write a list of all the good projects and things you did this year and all the things you would like to do next year. Focus on your next step and finding the right place to thrive in. Best of luck and hope you feel better soon.
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