Losing one’s job is a constant source of anxiety for many people. We should be very concerned about this. Our employment allows us to do this. It’s vital to our survival, and it also shapes who we are in many ways.

Worst case scenario: you get fired. The very thought of such a thought is chilling. It’s the worst thing ever considering it will keep you up at three in the morning and unable to focus on anything else.

When we earn more money from our jobs, our spending usually increases as well. We “need” more and better items when our income rises, and it’s simpler than ever to go overboard when we have access to better credit. In order to maintain the standard of living we’ve come to expect, we’ll need to keep working for the foreseeable future.

This means that work is even more important than before. Soon, the joy of receiving a paycheck will be met with the dread of not receiving one, and we will do whatever it takes to avoid losing our jobs, including responding to emails and meetings outside of normal business hours, agreeing to travel for work, and putting in extra time at the office. It’s a frustrating situation that feels like a never-ending hamster wheel.

Making a living is fantastic. It is not normal to be terrified of losing it. However, rational thought may always overcome paranoia. Since our primal, survival-focused selves are the first to react, it seems logical that fear is one of the strongest emotions we experience. The pace at which reality and reason catch up is constant. When they do, though, they serve as the ideal remedy.

Make it your duty to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to face your greatest fears in life. If you’re worried about losing your job, the best thing to do is to research your options and different possibilities.

But this will take some time. You’re like a bird running about on the ground, unable to fly, if your workday consists entirely of minute-by-minute tasks. You deprive yourself of the opportunity to see things from above.

How can one respond to the worry of losing their job? 
By setting aside time every day to focus on these three goals:

Improve your knowledge and abilities in your field.

Dedicate a little time every day to micro learning. You can learn a lot about your field, or the one you wish to enter, in just ten minutes a day by even reading a carefully curated Twitter feed.

Get familiar with the scene inside your market.

Learn about other businesses in the marketplace, such as those that are recruiting or looking for consultants, so you know where to take your newly acquired micro learning expertise. Jobs aren’t always included in “help wanted” sections. Many appear out of thin air because of how well you pitch them. A position will be made for you if your skills can improve a company’s financial standing.

Take an interest in the individuals close to you.

Dedicate some time every day to networking, keeping in touch with the individuals you meet, and engaging with them via LinkedIn, Twitter gatherings and webinars that are specialized to your field. Communicate with others. Inquire into how you can be of service. These individuals become prospects for referrals, as a short-term contract may lead to a project, which may lead to a permanent position.

Knowing you have an exit strategy gives you a significant advantage in business negotiations. That’s fantastic, too. Your existing employment arrangement is a business transaction, therefore treat it as such. They did not hire you out of the goodness of their hearts; rather, they intend to benefit from your expertise. However, this connection becomes murky when it is referred to as a salary.

I trust that your current employment fulfills you. There isn’t enough time in the day to be unhappy about something that takes up so much of it already. Perhaps you’ll decide to stay forever. It’s reassuring to know that you can build a solid foundation for your professional future.

A piece of advice (a brief educational moment): When you watch your favorite courtroom drama on TV, keep in mind that trial lawyers never pose a question for which they don’t have an answer. The lesson is valuable. If you invest time in learning about your field and your career prospects, you may increase the odds that your future turns out the way you want it to and enjoy your work more fully every day.

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