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Thanksgiving is here. A lot has been written about what people are thankful for, including yesterday’s great piece from Barrett Media contributor Kevin Robinson.
Today, Bob Lawrence cautions you not to let your job or lack of one define who you are.
Both share some great advice.
In my programming and operations career, I experienced downsizing and RIFs, including twice by the same company. I also was in a position where I had to hand out pink slips, and in most cases, I hated that more than getting one.
Each time, I thought it was the end of the world. That surely, I would lose everything and that they would probably resurrect debtors’ prison just for me.
After a few days, I realized that my embarrassment was misplaced. In fact, the sun kept coming up every day. I actually could face my former colleagues.
If you were recently let go and are heading into the holiday season feeling hurt, angry, hopeless, and antisocial, set it aside and enjoy some time with your loved ones.
I know it’s not easy.
Life has a way of giving you perspective.
One year, after being a victim of the holiday layoffs, I was spending too much time in bed and decided to stay home and skip Thanksgiving with my family.
This year, I will have my first Thanksgiving and then Christmas without my mother, who passed away last January. Don’t you think I would love to have one more with her and Dad?
Don’t miss it. Your job is just a small part of who you are. And as I learned to say the hard way, “As much as we all love them, they are just radio stations at the end of the day. They don’t love you back. Your family will.”
I’m sure you don’t have to look too far to find things to be grateful for.
If a day of football and turkey doesn’t do it.
- Volunteer at a homeless shelter. I can tell you from experience that seeing the eyes of the people you serve Thanksgiving dinner will make you feel warm.
- Go and help your elderly neighbor put up Christmas lights.
- Reach out to an old friend for no reason but to say hi. Smiles and laughter will most often follow.
- Best of all, pick up the phone or send a text and mend a relationship that you probably don’t even remember why it went off the rails.
I’m sure you can think of dozens more.
No business for one day.
It won’t hurt to skip a day sending out resumes.
I will miss my mom on Thursday, but I will be with my Granddaughter on her first Thanksgiving.
That will give me more happiness than programming the perfect segue or writing the perfect sweeper ever did.
Find the perspective and enjoy the day.
Trust me, this too shall pass.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
