Are there times in your life when you feel like you are on top of the world and can handle anything that comes your way…and then the unexpected happens.
Last year, after selling our company, I found myself in a job where I felt valued and appreciated. I enjoyed going to work and supporting the team and giving the best customer service possible. The owner of the company indicated that he had long term employment in mind for me. We enjoyed team lunches, celebrated record sales months, and high-fived each other when a challenging sale was finalized.
For the first time in five years, we were able to take a REAL vacation! Off we went to enjoy the last week of summer with our extended family at a huge cottage up north. The drive home was a bit stressful with three wound-up kids, excited about starting school in a few days, but it was all worth it for a real family vacation again.
We returned home, looking forward to finalizing new contracts and moving ahead with our jobs. We had even started planning some much-needed home renovations! Things were looking up.
On our way to church the next day, we received an email from our employer which turned our world sideways.
They decided not to move forward with our employment. We were no longer working for that company. We were unemployed!
Shock.
Disbelief.
Dismay.
Anger.
In one short, impersonal email, everything changed.
It took a few weeks for the shock and anger to subside, but it was replaced with doubt. Was I hired on my own merits or because they wanted my husband to work there and hired me to ensure it? Did they decide to terminate me because I had done something wrong? Was I not truly qualified for the position I was hired for?
My confidence was shot.
I considered leaving a women’s networking group I belonged to. I began to avoid other networking opportunities and turning down Bible studies. I would crawl out of bed, go through the morning routine, drop the kids at school and pray I didn’t run into anyone I knew. I dreaded searching and applying for a job. I felt unsure of what I could offer.
My husband and my friends tried to encourage me, reminding me of what I had accomplished, but my inner saboteur spoke louder than them.
Even starting my own website with great engagement and reaching thousands of people in a short period of time didn’t boost my confidence.
Here’s what I did to finally get over my lack of self-esteem and start believing in myself again!
- I started investing in myself through online classes on personal development, a course to brush up my writing skills, and pushing myself to research and write regularly.
- I reached out to an old contact at the executive at the women’s networking group that I was a part of and asked if I could come back to the executive to help.
- I showed up at networking events and promoted my skills to other entrepreneurs.
- I applied to participate in the Dynamic Women blog.
- I enlisted professional help to revamp my resume.
- I applied for many jobs. The first job I interviewed for wasn’t my ideal job, but after some professional coaching, I was able to negotiate with the owner to incorporate aspects of what I enjoy making it into a job I love.
- I reminded myself of the challenges I had overcome in my business and my last job.
- I counted my blessings to remember how far I’ve come.
- I rejected negativity, and the negative thoughts and countered them with the truth.
- I KEPT SHOWING UP.
But most of all, I refused to quit.
I know how hard it is to come back after your personal confidence is shaken, but I also know that it is possible. When you can get yourself back out there again, invest in yourself, and step outside of your comfort zone by trying new things that may have once scared you, you too can overcome negativity and low self-esteem, and be productive, healthy, and happy again!