Have you been fired or laid off? Is your future freed up? Is your head spinning? Are you feeling like you have been hit by a Mac truck? Read on. Here are steps that can help you navigate and survive this time of change do to job loss.

People loose their jobs for many reasons. Some reasons include down sizing, new CEO may bring in a new management team, or lack of work. Sometimes the lay off is through no fault of your own. Sometimes the employee sabotages their work life by not getting along with co-workers, lying, poor grooming, unreliable, used work for personal business, couldn't do the work, or abused alcohol or drugs and they get fired.

When the ax comes, there will be a bunch of emotions that will overwhelm you. And there are activities that you will need to do to survive and flourish.

The emotions include denial "this isn't happening", feelings of overwhelm, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, and depression. Eventually you will get to acceptance and experience new growth and opportunity.

• First, realize that you will have all of these feelings or emotions. Most of us will not experience these in a particular order. You may go from anger, to fear, to depression, to being OK, and then back to anger. Be present to each stage. Get a good friend to listen to you, be your sounding board. Or you can journal your feelings until you get a handle on them. If the emotions become too overwhelming, get professional help. After the first week, stop the "poor me" stories. Staying in the story makes it very difficult for people to be around you. It is what is. We have to work, so put on your boots and start looking.
• If you qualify for unemployment... go and sign up. You have paid into the system and you will pay into it again. It is a financial stop gap between jobs.
• Take stock of where you are financially. You may need to redo your budget so that you can live, eat and pay your bills. It might be a back to basics budge, but remember it is temporary. If you eat two meals daily at fast food restaurants, you should consider eating at home and packing your lunch. It is less expensive and healthier.
• Review what happened, why did you lose your job. Be honest. If you have contributed to your new state of freedom, admit it. What can you do to fix your attitude or behavior(s) so that you get and keep the next job? If you need help, get it.
• Finding the new job takes focused effort. If you can get outplacement service, do it. Google "how to find a great job". The internet is rich in resources from 'how to', resumes, job postings what to wear to an interview and how to interview, and follow up. Plan on spending 7-8 hours a day in job search activities. Watching TV, doing lots of chores, hanging out at the coffee house or pub, will not get you closer to getting that new job. Finding a job is like going to work.
• Network. Network. Network. Call your family, friends, acquaintances and your Christmas card list. Let them know your situation and that you are looking. If they give you a lead, follow up. Start a little newsletter. It is a great way to keep everybody posted on your comings, goings and progress. It is a fabulous networking tool.
• Keep good records. Have a calendar. Show up on time, neatly dressed, with your resume and references neatly presented. Keep a log of your resumes/applications that you have sent out, interviews, expenses and the results. This will keep you on track and you can have timely follow up.
• "No." Yep, you may get turned down. In fact, you may get many "no suitable opening" letters. So what. Shake it off and go on to the next opportunity. There is a job out there that is a good match for you. Keep looking.
• Keep a positive attitude. It is the one thing you can do to help land that next job ASAP. It is the Law of Attraction. You won't get that dream job by being depressed, and angry. People who are happy, upbeat, positive, capable, and dressed appropriately are much more likely to get the offers.
• You Got The Offer! Yippee! Suit up and show up. Be a good employee. Be excellent at what you do.