Not Everything Has to Work Out

A few thoughts on layoffs, terminations, resignations and why endings don't necessarily mean something failed

Not everything has to work out.

In fact, most things don't.

At some point, you'll be laid off.

Passed over.

Terminated.

Or want to quit.

It's the nature of the corporate universe that things will change if you stay long enough.

Leaders fall short.

Companies underperform.

Priorities shift.

That's not evidence that you made a mistake.

Sometimes you've done all you can with a job.

Or with a leader who can't take you where you want to go.

You may find yourself sprinting to the door.

Or wishing for more time.

But people suffer more than necessary when they expect everything to work out.

They expect the extra effort to be rewarded.

The loyalty to be reciprocated.

The sacrifice to make sense.

And when it doesn't, they wonder if it was all for nothing.

Instead of asking:

• Have I learned what I came to learn?

• Have I built what I came to build?

• Does this workplace still allow me to feel the way I want to feel?

• What season of my life is this serving?

• Do I even want to be here?

The question isn't whether you stay.

The question is why you're there.

Not every ending is voluntary.

Some are chosen.

Some are chosen for us.

But leaving doesn't feel like failure when you've gotten what you came for.

You can stay or go knowing the job did its job.