I Got Laid Off, and I'm Finally Doing Something That Matters

Aug 24

My friend Donna, who runs Sheer Brick Studio, led me to The Lemonade Movie. The trailer here tells the story of a few of the 70,000+ advertising professionals who have been laid off in this economy and what they’re doing with their lives. My favorite line is the one in the title of this article: I got laid off, and I’m finally doing something that matters. It’s wonderful when people find their bliss.

Are you doing what you were meant to do? If so, why not?

About the Author
Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

Share this post

Comments

  1. Lemonade Productions brought tears to my eyes. As I grew up my mother would always give the lemons to lemonade speech to me until I would screech “Stop, I just want a Hershey Bar!”

    I have not been laid off in this round of fiscal mess. I own my own company that consults with organizations around leadership and resiliency. Years ago, right at this time of year I was told funding was cut for my soon to be fabulous job in the family therapy department of a major medical school.

    I walked the streets on sunny days, the mall on rainy ones figuring out my next step. That was all the energy I had. Funny how each step leads to the next if you breath, walk and don’t panic. And I finally realized my real dream, to write a book. “Don’t Bring It to Work” with its blue cover is out there for the world to see. Thanks for the reminder that lemonade can taste great. I’m sending clip to my clients, whether they have a “safe” job today or not.

    • Frank Roche says:

      @Sylvia Congrats to you and your wonderful story. It is so great when we do what we love…and each of us has so much potential. I feel so great when I see stories like the Lemonade ones…those people are wonderful. Continued success to you. Thanks for the smiles.

  2. Bill Strahan says:

    Frank – do you think that this is something bigger? Is this part of an changing economic / social landscape that will be different after this recession? Maybe this is more than just individual and personal transformation? Think about your posting on the work “crisis”. If I remember correctly, “crisis” is from the Greek and means a time of choice. Getting laid off is in one sense a crisis. I wonder if you have been thinking about any broader social implications of so many people making so many choices.

    • Frank Roche says:

      @Bill I spent a healthy chunk of time thinking and talking about this question based on your prompt. I wonder about this a lot, but haven’t put enough structured thinking into the implications. Now I am. I’m reading more about it…and wondering about what happens when people are permanently displaced from work. Is there a new economy that opens up? I would love to chat about this over coffee some day.

Leave a Reply

 
  • About KnowHR

    KnowHR serves up straight talk about human resources, communication and technology. Our goal is to help you make work better. Brought to you by IFRACTAL.

  • Featured Product

  • Sign up for KnowHR

    Want to receive KnowHR via email? Sign up now for our weekly KnowHR Newsletter.

  • Social Media

    • twitter
    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • tumblr
    • youtube
    • vimeo
    • linkedin
  • Flickr

    • Bethany at IFRACTAL uses the Labyrinth as inspiration to practice contact juggling with an orange
    • We ring in success with the IFRACTAL cow bell
    • Charlie at IFRACTAL is suspended in midair above Chicago at the Sears Tower
    • Sarah at IFRACTAL has a thing for Pringles
    • Andy at IFRACTAL is pumped up for work this Monday
    • Farewell to Steve and Zack, the IFRACTAL interns!
    • Steph and Jess at IFRACTAL kicking it with Spiderman!
    • Furley working up a sweat at IFRACTAL
    • Pat at IFRACTAL says "Hail to the victors valiant!" #mgoblue
    • Shanna's accessories are nerfing to joke about at IFRACTAL!
    • Pat's a sweetheart, but she sure whips up some mean lunches in the IFRACTAL kitchen
    • Jess and Steve scream for ice cream at IFRACTAL!
    • Shanna at IFRACTAL is pretty in pink, pretty badass that is!
    • We know about presentation at IFRACTAL
    • Charlie in his new Do-Rag is handling business at IFRACTAL
    • Frank and Jess at IFRACTAL fall victim to a Candy Coma