Summary: Fear of losing your job can bury or build you. Which one are you choosing? Our economy is like the biggest roller coaster in an amusement park. However, while fear of losing your job can cause screams, it’s not fun. Nobody gets a lifetime guarantee stamped on their paycheck. Fear is natural—it’s what you do with it that counts. So, before you start Googling “how to fake my death and live in Bali,” whch I checked out during my own tough time. I learned the power of the pause. It’s time to turn your fear into fuel.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
We are losing a ton of people at my firm, and “downsize” now means more than losing some weight.
I can feel that icy fear first thing in the morning and it stays all day.
At night, I lie in bed and “catastrophize.”
I remember when I was ten and my dad was laid off. It was an awful time for the family.
Interestingly, my son is nine and my daughter is seven. Close enough in age to what I went through that I don’t want to become my dad.
He turned into a “dead man walking,” and while he eventually got another job, he never recovered any “joie de vivre.”
Thanks for your help.
Signed,
Needs Courage
Why Fear of Job Loss Hits So Hard
Dear Needs Courage,
When life changes come around, we all fear the world of uncertainty.
Here’s the ugly truth:
The fear isn’t just about money.
It’s about identity, stability, pride, and survival. It’s invisible stress at its finest — the kind that creeps into your head, heart, and gut without asking permission (or paying rent).
The fear of job loss hits even if you dislike your job. Coping with job insecurity can lead, as it did with your dad, to a diminished view of life. Career anxiety hits the newest intern to the head of an organization.
Here is what to consider:
5 Ways to Turn Job Fear into a Career Power Move
Name the Stress Monster
Write it down. What EXACTLY are you afraid of? Getting fired? Downsizing? Outsourcing? Your boss randomly waking up and deciding your jokes aren’t funny anymore?
Fear thrives in the shadows. Drag it into the light.
Fear shrinks when it has a name. And a name tag.
Upgrade Your Skills — TODAY
If you’re fearing you’re about to be shown the door, make yourself too valuable to lose.
Learn new tech. Get certifications. Practice your leadership muscles. Stay future ready instead of past comfortable.
You can stay competitive at work. Even if you leave your present position, you take you and your skills to what is next.
Network Like Your Future Depends On It (Because It Does)
People who land on their feet aren’t just lucky — they’re connected.
Start NOW. Reconnect on LinkedIn. Join a professional group.
(And no, a funny meme on a coworker’s post does NOT count.)
Create a Plan B — Without the Drama
Having a fallback plan doesn’t mean you’re doomed. It means you’re smart.
Update your résumé. Browse job boards casually. Stay aware. Stay empowered.
Don’t wait until you’re kicked out to start thinking about what’s next.
Mini-Mantra: Say this in the morning, at meals, and before you sleep: ” I hope for the best, and I prepare for the best.” This is how you help to retrain your brain.
Manage Your Invisible Stress
The pressure you’re feeling? That’s invisible stress.
It leaks into your relationships, your health, and your decision-making.
You can learn how to spot it and STOP it.
Check out my book, INVISIBLE STRESS (It’s NOT What YOU Think!) — your future self will send you a thank-you card.)
The Bottom Line
Fear of job loss is real — but it doesn’t have to own you.
It can be the wake-up call that turns you from a “what-if worrier” into a “watch-me warrior.”
Get moving. Get mastering.
And remember: Fear is a visitor. Growth is a choice.
In conclusion, keep going and keep growing!!
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. Learn how to bust invisible stress and turn fear into fuel. Read Invisible Stress and take the Stress Mastery Quiz to find out exactly how deep your stress goes. Join the Stress Mastery Group on Facebook. Want help building a future-proof career plan? Schedule a coaching call here with [email protected].
