always a great philosophical way to look at it after your second or third drink at the local bar right after your boss has pulled your chair out from under you.
That's the high side of the arguement.
However, the rough n tumble every day reality is that Chainsaw Al just walked into your office and popped you in the jaw because he didn't like your - 1.shirt, 2. car, 3, attitude, 4 salary, or some such nonesense. Never mind you've been there 1 years, saved the company a bunch of money, and increased the sales figures, dropped turnover in personnel yadda yadda.
He was brought in to topple six figure salaries, and buddy - that's you. You're one of them and handy. There is a long line of clowns headed to the elevator followed by security guards and you are fourth or fifth on the street.
You did nothing wrong. But, you're out.
Now, read me that highly philosophical scenario again. Mine's Jack Daniels and tonic, by the way, and I'm a highly employable 64, too. Forgot to mention that.

I was laid off from my job at a big telco a few years ago and it turned out to be a good thing. I didn't like the job, wasn't putting in my best effort, and though I was a little shocked, wasn't all that upset about leaving.
The church I attend talks about transitions. They can be tough, but we have to look for the positive side of any change. In my case, it was getting a job I really like.
My indestructable strength - My positive attitude.

Indestructible strength? SENSE OF HUMOR.
(funny story below)

Forget "we'll laugh about it later." The quicker you can laugh at the absurdity of it, the idiots you encounter or the stupidity of decision-makers, the faster your recovery time.

One of my favorite recovery stories (out of my 500+ sales horror story collection) is a great example...

DOES YOUR DOG BITE?
Sam stops looking for success and listens instead

At a speaking engagement I met this older gentleman, Sam. He had these gigantic, coke-bottle glasses; thickest lenses I'd ever seen. He was a great phone salesman. Here's how he became so good:

His eyes had always been bad and he used to sell encyclopedias door-to-door. At one home a woman answers her door. Sam hears a sound, looks down and says "Oh! How cute, what kind of dog do you have?"

She snapped back, "That's my daughter!" And slams the door in his face. He realized that he could not sell face to face. Sam resigned himself to
selling on the phone and became quite good at it.

POSTMORTEM: Sam came to a crossroad and decided he loved selling too much to quit. So he adjusted his job to keep his career on track down the path to
selling success. What inspires you? Sam was inspired by a negative experience. Have you encountered limitations and are they holding you back or driving you on to better things? This old guy brought a grin to my face and a smile to my heart when he turned a big negative into a bigger
positive. Go and do the same.

Dan Seidman, www.SalesAutopsy.com

A public note to Roger--your anger and frustration about losing your six figure job are surely understandable.

Although it is natural to become accustomed to a level of privileged luxury and status, many (including myself) have looked back at times of great loss to find that they have led to the most profound--and freeing--changes in their lives.

When you give it some serious thought, you will see that our desire to keep our luxuries--and all that comes with it-- which causes us pain throughout our lives. We deal with the anxiety of keeping our status and pleasures even when we still have our jobs or when our businesses area doing very good.

May this shocking loss open you up to unexpected and rewarding new endeavors.

Hey Pops,

If you are 64 and making 6 figures, time to stop worry about work and enjoy life! Take this layoff as a wakeup call for the rest of your days and enjoy!

How about having that Jack on the beach? :)

Joe

Harvey McKay's new book "we Got Fired" is a fun read and provides some great insight.