Are you being made redundant?  It may seem like the end but it could be the kick start you need to a different life. Paradoxically, it all depends on you.

You’ve heard the rumours.   Your post could be the next one made redundant. You’re worried. There’s a recession and long dole queues.  As ever, a major upheaval is the last thing you want.  For anyone made redundant it’s right up there on the stress list alongside bereavement, divorce, house move.  But hang on, wasn’t it you who only recently whinged about being stuck in a rut, stressed out and undervalued at work?  That WAS the same you! So how about taking charge of the forced re-evaluation of your working life and consider how to take control of the change.

First things first, if that dreaded news, ‘your post has been made redundant’ arrives, absorb it – as fast as you can.  It won’t totally dispel your shock and upset, denial, self-doubt, insecurity, panic, rejection and anger.  And remember those feelings are normal.  But, might you also feel glee, deep down, because there are loads about your job and some colleagues that you really won’t miss!!

When the initial shock of being made redundant subsides take a good clean, clear look at you and work and begin identifying what you really want.  Here are 10 ways to take control:

1. UNPACK A NEW CAREER –You’ve been dreaming of a career change for ages but never had the courage to take the plunge.  Now that you’ve been made redundant, the decision has been made for you. Examine the job market and ask yourself what you’re good at and what you really love and want. If your parents needed to reinvent themselves twice in their working lives today’s workers need to do it nearer 20 times!  You’re not –or shouldn’t be – the same person who joined this organisation; your perspective and maybe your values will have changed so start with the term ‘career’ and what it now means for you.  Oh, and get professional help from a coach, if needed.

2. START YOUR OWN BUSINESS – You’ve been dreaming about it but were scared to step out and do it.  Put some of that redundancy payment to good use and invest in a business set up involving something you’ve always loved with a passion but never dared see as a real business runner.  A franchise? A new start-up?  Your call.

3. GOOD RIDDANCE !! – With staff cuts and increasing demands, your existing job has recently become incredibly taxing.  You’ve become increasingly p………. off with your world of work and it’s affecting your health.  Well, guess what? You’ve now got the power to change that! Yes, YOU!

4. BID FAREWELL TO THE BULLIES – It may well be that you’ve had the boss from hell and you’ve smiled and put up with it. You’ve watched men with less talent being promoted…  Well, as Bart Simpson might say, they can eat your shorts now because they’ll be out of your life.

5. TAKE GAP TIME – why not spend some of your redundancy payment on chill out time and, well, chill out for a while.  A few weeks break abroad before returning to the thick of it will recharge those batteries and be a positive reward for years of managing a few days off here and there. Visit those friends who’ve emigrated to Oz, the South of France or the Caribbean. Plan short tours so you feel you’re enjoying the enforced change.  Make the most of the opportunity to think about your options without rushing headlong into something you may regret.

6. PAY OFF THE MORTGAGE or INVEST – make your redundancy payment work for you immediately. Imagine paying off the mortgage or investing in gold or whatever will give you a fabulous ROI.  What freedom that would give you! Reducing the monthly outgoings can be a wonderfully empowering experience. By the way, my friend Lavinia Osbourne from ‘Butterfly Wealth Creation‘ is a mine of information when it comes to gold.

7. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! – Living in a really expensive location like London?  Take a look at property prices elsewhere.  Now, you’re made redundant, this could be a chance to sell up and get a whole new lifestyle in the country or another city.  Are you living far from the rest of the family – this might be an ideal opportunity to move closer.

8. PACK UP – MOVE OUT! – If you have transferrable skills why not consider a move to Europe where lifestyle and weather are more attractive and cost of living cheaper? You could even work remotely and keep work links with the UK.

9. GO BACK TO WHAT YOU LOVE – Many of us were promoted into positions that bring greater financial rewards but less job satisfaction. For example a senior manager in social work spends little if any time working with clients – the reason that brought her into social care in the first place.  Consider this – can I stop chasing the big salary and return to what led to my chosen career in the first place?

10. BYE, BYE RAT RACE – Are you in your mid 50’s? Check out the possibility of taking your pension early.  Some        public sector jobs may still offer this (although for how much longer is uncertain). Given the current public sector pay freeze, taking your pension early will now make little difference to your final amount.  And before you work yourself into an early grave, start enjoying life.  Don’t think of this as being made redundant but a divine early retirement present. You’ll live!

Oh, one final thing… Some of these suggestions can be fast-tracked with professional help, like a life coach, to get you there  faster.  Are you up for that?  Contact Claudia Crawley here at  Winning Pathways Coaching, for a chat about getting help, encouragement and support with transforming your life after you’re made redundant.