“We feel that you’re no longer making a productive contribution to the company…”
“And ???”
Sitting on the edge of my seat, with only a large executive desk between us, the heart palpatations intensified. A nauseating feeling immediately followed.
There was an awkward silence with the obvious answer unspoken. It never occured that it would come to this heartless, harsh conversation. The difficult topic of job termination.
It was soon over. Shutting his office door firmly behind me and returning to my desk, the obliging tasks of tying loose business ends were completed swiftly and clinically.
“Just get it done and get out…just get it done and get OUT…”
It was the mantra in my head, keeping me focused.
Except for the annoying facade people make when one leaves a company after a gentle nudge, there was no emotion.
Until I got home.
I was relieved. I was pissed off. I was angry. I wept. I was scared.
The next morning was the first in awhile where it was entirely my own. No client meetings booked. No phone calls to make. It should have felt liberating. For once, I was no longer on auto-pilot.
Sitting in the sunroom, my mind started to contemplate the future plans. There were in fact plenty to look forward to – an imminent arrival of twins, a celebration of marriage.
But, still. When my career had been all-consuming, the thought of it taking a back seat or even being a non-existing priority, didn’t sit quite right in my mind.
And it felt that my worth – measured by all things corporate and business related – had been compromised.
Then the door bell rang. There was a flower delivery and I could only think that my ever thoughtful fiance had sent them to cheer me up.
Instead, among the arrangement of deep purple orchids, was a card from two colleagues.
No soppy messages or strained, polite words of condolences. Only a famous Shakespeare quote:
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.”
The message was not only timely but clever and poignant. My colleagues knew what happened was harsh and in many senses, unfair.
And while life is full of injustices, in this case there was no need for sympathy. Instead, the words filled with hope. Encouraging me that while the job is gone, what I was – and am still – capable of, still firmly sits here. Within me.
Skills, qualifications and experience are always transferrable. What’s crucial is how they’re presented in the next stage of life.
Remembering that where there is now an empty office desk,a legacy has been left behind; While corporate staff turnover feels like a rotating conveyer belt, certain peers and colleagues never forget important contributions you made; those long hours of overtime and dedication to meeting deadlines were all in preparation for bigger, tougher but far more rewarding challenges yet to come.
It’s hard to believe it’s almost been 3 years since those words arrived at my door.
There is still a juggle to find balance between domesticity and career. But there is also a quiet confidence. It’s only a matter of time and patience until the next exciting play is on. For those curtains to be drawn, to make my grand entrance in a new part.
Are you waiting behind the curtains for your next play to commence ? Or are you in the midst of one right now ?
Linking up with Jess at Diary of a SAHM for IBOT.
Ai Sakura says
Those are pretty insightful ex-colleagues/ dear friends you have. I’m glad you met them at your previous job and gave you the encouragement you needed at that point.
In terms of my work, I think I’m still waiting. I know it’s not my time yet.. But I can’t say exactly for what.
But in terms of motherhood. This is where I want to be 🙂 that’s for sure.
Ai Sakura recently posted..Bub & Me: Sky-Land-Sea Singapore Adventure!
mamagrace71 says
Oh yes, I can see that motherhood suits you very nicely, Ai! As for work…as long as it’s bearable and pays the bills…AND they treat you nicely, then it’s all good. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with waiting..deshoo ?
Rhia says
I am totally waiting for my next play to commence. I can’t wait! I think there is something to be said for choosing your own exit though. My heart goes out to you and anyone who has had to sit through that conversation. WAY HARSH.
Rhia recently posted..The big come down
mamagrace71 says
It was harsh and thank you for your kind words but you know what ? Meh. There will always be douchebag people like that in the corporate world. Look forward to hearing about your next play !!!
Melissa says
I am waiting for my next play… The branded blog I have been managing is likely to be wrapped up and my job with it. I’d put a lot of heart and soul into it, probably too much in hindsight, but I learnt a lot and I am ready to move on. Here’s to better and brighter things in the future for us both x
Melissa recently posted..How to Host a Star Wars Birthday Party
mamagrace71 says
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. And we can control and shape what we make out of that situation. For all the hardship that you’ve gone through, there’s going to be great things for you ahead. x
Lyndal says
I’m pretty certain that i love this post and will read it many times over – what a comfort it MUST have been to have such great colleagues who spoke such truth straight to your heart xx
#teamIBOT
mamagrace71 says
Oh, Lyndal ! That’s a huge compliment, thank you! These colleagues of mine were just the best. I couldn’t have been more blessed to work with such great gals. x
MsMandie says
Wow Grace! What amazing words they chose at a time when the “right” words must have been hard to find.
MsMandie recently posted..The Minimalist’s Guide To De-Trinketing
mamagrace71 says
Yeah, I had already had so much respect for these colleagues of mine but when I got that card…that level just went up by a trillion. They’re great gals. Just spoke to one of them today 🙂 x
Jess says
Ooh that’s a tough question!
Career wise, I havnefer had one. Falling pregnant at 19 will do that to you!
I’m excited though to hear what you do next Grace. I’m glad you’re positive and excited about the future. Xx
Jess recently posted..Dear IBOT. I Broke My Toe for You. Love Jess xx
mamagrace71 says
Naw, thanks Jess ! I’m happy where life is at the moment. But I know there’s other stuff in store, all waiting to happen too. We’ve all got a great future ahead of us. xxx
Lee says
I am not sure where I am at Grace. I know that I am happy right now where I am at work-wise and I am letting go of the frustrations and limitations and just enjoying what I have.
That said, it must have been huge blow to have heard those words. You will find your working mum mojo Grace. I can feel it in my waters. xx
Lee recently posted..Before I started blogging…take 2 boo hoo
mamagrace71 says
Thanks, Lee! I just want to make sure I get it as close to “right” as I can the next time around. I used to jump at all opportunities but never really think about the end goals. Well, not the personal ones anyway. We all eventually get there, don’t we ? Just as long as we don’t pressure ourselves against time.
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum says
What lovely colleagues you had – and you must have been making an awesome contribution for them to send that quote! It’s hard sometimes when things like that happen – when the door closes. But it’s also exciting to think of what can happen when another one opens. We really don’t know what lies ahead – I always get impatient waiting, but I also know that my time in this moment is what matters as well.
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Intentional Direction
mamagrace71 says
I totally agree with you about how this moment matters, Debbie. I was so busily chasing opportunities and trying to reach all sorts of corporate goals, I forgot what was really important.
I am extremely excited for the present just as I’m keen to see what the future opportunities are.
Denyse Whelan says
Spoken from your heart to mine. My worth “was” tied up in a role, a position in a professional workplace, and more. Now, I am needing to make a new role for me in this play called LIFE. I am having some fun and today I had my first review. Liked!
See how much we do enjoy the personal. Love you . Denyse x
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Five Things About Me.
mamagrace71 says
Yes! My priorities were a little out of whack when I was in the corporate world…I am ashamed to admit it. But things happen for a reason, sometimes a very good one at that. And if that reason is to take part in this play called LIFE (as you eloquently put it) then my arms are wide open to the opportunities. Love you back, D xxx
Jean says
I’ve been through something like that. Don’t want to get into the details but it was painful. However yes, the stage which is better does happen, but in ways never expected.
After looking for work 18 months, I accepted a good job offer in another province. It was /continues to be major for me. Just after job offer, a sister died.
So in another province (and left a province that I loved), a new home and then next month, a new manager, well, yes, am in the middle of another stage in life. Keep in mind I have less than 15 yrs. to retirement. Pretty strange for me at times, to be working when I know people ready for early retirement in my age bracket.
mamagrace71 says
My mother is 79 this year and there is no signs of her going through retirement. So, I think it’s a case where you take all the qualities of what essentially makes you and if that happens to be a person who is not one for early retirement, then that’s a great thing.
I look at a lot of my friends who have gone work after having children and sometimes I feel a little awkward that, while I was as career driven as them at one stage in my life, things are a little different now.
Not to say that I don’t want to return to work, I do. But I no longer think it’s important to just go back to work. I want to make sure that what I go to next is something meaningful.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right says
What a fantastic quote, and very cool colleagues. You have a great attitude towards this next stage – and a gift for writing.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Deportment schools – a relic of the 80s?
mamagrace71 says
Oh, thank you !
Yes, those colleagues are actual friends – which I’m so grateful for !
Becky from BeckyandJames.com says
Just love that they knew the right quote to share and didn’t send you awkward words which would have been lost over the years.
I think I am still waiting for my play to open. I keep wondering if maybe it’s been canceled.
Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently posted..Arting With Ellie #4: Making a Mother’s Day Card
mamagrace71 says
That’s exactly it, Becky ! They sent me something that will always stay around ! Despite one play being cancelled, maybe a different one will commence ? You never know with life 😉
Toushka Lee says
they fired you when you were pregnant?
beautifully written. and that quote was perfect.
Toushka Lee recently posted..Laundry Day
mamagrace71 says
They actually didn’t know I was pregnant. But if they had…I would’ve given them all sorts of grief, trust me ! Yes, that quote was a true god-send 🙂
ava says
Beautiful words! Very apt. I like how positive this post ends Grace-ie. And there is just something so hopeful on anticipating how the next play will “play out”! 🙂
ava recently posted..Waterfalls and Zumba
Veronica @ Mixed Gems says
I somehow missed this post of yours. It’s funny I read it today since I just dictated a draft post about my workaholicism to my iPhone (love that function!) on my way to pick up the girls from Childcare. You did write this very beautifully. For me, I’m not inbetween acts but feel like maybe I’m in a never ending dress rehearsal of a play that still has no ending. There is something to be said for the camaraderie of understanding and caring colleagues even when their is mostly heartlessness from the top. That is something I am very appreciative.
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..An Inadequate Blogger