Life Happens (Again)

So life happens (again) when I get a call from my manager Thursday morning giving me the news that I've been laid off. This in itself is not a bad thing because I had a bladder infection and he didn't want me to come in that day if I didn't feel up to it (which I didn't). After 20 years as a technical writer, I've endured five layoffs from companies that you've heard of (Apple Computer, Novell, Sun Microsystems), as well as startups that simply disappeared. By trial and error, I have managed to maintain a somewhat calm perspective this time around having learned the following lessons:

• "Nothing personal, just business". Although company managers may say that they value you and your contributions, anyone can get sacrificed to the bottom line if the economy takes a nosedive (just ask the former CEO of Merrill Lynch).
• "If the boss says jump, ask how high." Either my actions and my decisions have a positive impact to the bottom line, or else I'm being added to that list of the next to be laid off (this follows the "shit flows down" rule).
• "Little changes now prepare me for the big change later" Either I adapt gradually as change inevitably happens (such as learning that new timesheet program for work), or else I resist change and (eventually) get added to that list of the next to be laid off).

I'm taking that last one to heart, and I invite you to come along for the ride.