On my desk sits a blooming cactus, photos of my teenagers, and a mashup of papers, folders and projects in progress. Also, like a trophy, sits a hardcover edition of “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. A job coach from long ago recommended the book to me, but I didn’t embrace it until recently.

 

Like millions of others, I lost my job in 2009 due to the recession. I had worked for 17 years in an international development organization and believed on some level that I was called to this career field, like I was making a difference in a big way. Decreasing global poverty. Increasing girls’ education. Uplifting women’s access to civil society. It felt like the most important work in the world.

I was profoundly saddened to be cut off from my “calling” in a 15-minute termination meeting.

Besides the practical setbacks of losing a job (lack of income, for example), I also experienced an existential change as my beliefs about purposeful work were transformed. Unemployment taught me to be wary of self-importance. Unemployment taught me to disentangle my job from my self-worth. Unemployment taught me to relate to others with humility, fairness and gratitude. I learned the hard way that a good job might be less about personal meaning and more about treating colleagues well.

I’ll never minimize job loss. My gut still drops every time I hear of news of unemployment. Yet, speaking for myself, forced vocational exploration helped me rise to my next level. I’m infinitely better than before even though my professional demographic is precarious: a woman in her 50s. I’ve expanded my network and shined up my skills. I’ve become committed to building up the people around me.

Unemployment taught me that everything is a gift and I have choices. That’s why I keep front and center on my desk “The Four Agreements” book. The four agreements are:

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don’t take anything personally.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

4. Always do your best.

Fuchsia blossoms forth from my desk cactus. Joy swells when glancing at my children’s headshots. I juggle a cacophony of creative projects with gusto. Seven years ago, I would not have opted for a layoff, and I hope it never happens again. But I know it could. Heads up; it could happen to you too. I don’t wish unemployment on anyone, but it taught me to be kind, and bold.