First, learn coping mechanisms for the psychological strain and anxiety that come with ongoing insecurity. According to research, fear of losing your job can be more harmful to your health than actually losing it. This is known as living with job insecurity. But staying positive can make all the difference.
But keep in mind that you have the power to make changes because it is your life. If you’re worried that you might be “downsized,” take charge and do something. In your company, keep an eye out for lateral transfers to different departments or even different branches. Start becoming familiar with other areas of the company; perhaps your abilities would enable you to take on a completely new role there. Be proactive instead of reactive.
Allow everyone to express their fears if you’re on a team (or if you’re the team leader). It’s crucial to communicate and vent frustrations, but avoid letting these worries rule the group. This can create negativity and hurt morale. Therefore, have a candid discussion, but concentrate on what you can all do to advance.
If you want to provide value, either to your current organization or to a variety of potential clients, it’s imperative that you keep your skills up to date. Utilize specialized websites and social media platforms to stay current on certifications and trends in your industry so that you are aware of what is happening in your field. More on this can be found in our article, “9 Ways to Future Proof Your Career.”
If you have transferable skills, you will have a lot to offer other prospective employers in the event that you lose your job. So keep your skills relevant and up-to-date. Your current company might support your development, but if you want to diversify your skill set to be attractive to a variety of other employers, you should also learn new skills on your own time.
The technical skills you require in today’s job market can change quickly. So, develop your interpersonal skills (or “soft” skills), too. If a decline in the demand for your technical skills is the cause of your lack of job security, try a different strategy. What else can you do, and how can you demonstrate that you have the aptitude to learn a new profession?
The same goes for your résumé. You can be prepared to apply for a new position—even one within your own company—at a moment’s notice if it’s current, professional, and interesting. You won’t have to make changes quickly (and run the risk of making mistakes), and you can be sure to project the best possible image of yourself. Waiting until the last minute increases the likelihood that you will forget to mention a crucial achievement that could make all the difference in your chances of success.
To help you take the time you need to find the best opportunity if you are laid off, try to save up at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. If employment in your area declines, it may also provide you with the funds to look elsewhere. For more great advice on reducing personal money concerns, see our article on improving your financial well-being.
How to Overcome Anxiety About Losing a Job
Why people might fear losing their job
There are some common worries among those who fear losing their jobs, even though the factors that contribute to your fear of losing your job may not be the same as those experienced by others. These include:
Personal expenses
Having a job enables you to pay for expenses like rent or mortgage, car payments, bills, and groceries. It is normal to be concerned about the possibility of losing the money you use to pay for them because they are necessities for life. It’s helpful to consider what you can do right now to build a bright future because when you concentrate on this anxiety, you might become stuck in anticipating the worst-case scenario.
Stress about looking for or starting a new job
Many factors make people prefer their current position to starting a new one. Many employees worry about changing directions and entering unfamiliar responsibilities and new relationships because they enjoy their work, their coworkers, and the work environment. In this situation, it may be beneficial to consider potential future employment opportunities and embrace new experiences.
Uncertainty about future prospects
Many people are uncertain of the beneficial traits they can offer prospective employers while also appreciating their current employment. Imposter syndrome is the term for this self-doubt phenomenon, which is the conviction that your accomplishments are largely the result of luck. To overcome this, try to look at your past. Your qualifications can be seen in all of your academic and professional accomplishments, fulfilling relationships, and favorable impressions made on others.
The importance of addressing the fear of losing your job
You should make an effort to lessen the effects of fear on your health because it can have a negative impact on your wellbeing by raising stress levels and producing physical symptoms. By dealing with your fear of losing your job, you can remove a barrier to your success and practice productive, long-term workplace behaviors like:
Early intervention can help you channel your fear of losing your job into productive actions like working hard and projecting confidence. Both of these traits have the potential to raise your status within your company.
How to overcome your fear of losing your job
Fear of job loss doesnt have to control you. In fact, you can take proactive steps to overcome it and live a better, healthier life. To get over your fear of losing your job, follow these steps:
1. Self-assess
Identifying whether your fear is justified is the first step in conquering it. Consider whether there are any indications that you might lose your job. For instance, your manager might avoid you, your primary duties at work might get reduced, or your employer might ask you to teach others how to perform your main responsibilities. If there are no good reasons to be afraid, try to relax and do your best to contribute to your organization.
2. Speak to your employer
If you discover that you have good reason to be concerned about losing your job, think about talking to your manager or a higher-up about what you can do to contribute more to the company. For instance, you can inquire about the tasks that must be completed and what you can do to increase output. This can demonstrate your commitment to your work while also providing you with practical advice on how to increase your job security.
3. Foster positivity
Positivity is a counterforce against fear. You can use it to reduce your anxiety and pay attention to the positive aspects of your life. There are methods you can use to strengthen your ability to remain optimistic. A gratitude journal, for instance, is a diary in which you list the things in your life for which you are grateful. By serving as a constant reminder that you are worthy of goodness and capable of achieving it, a gratitude journal can squelch negativity and increase self-confidence.
Positive thinking has the potential to boost both productivity and relationships with coworkers at the workplace. These can increase your job security and further reduce the anxiety-inducing factors.
4. Prove yourself
Try to channel your energy into productivity rather than anxiety. You can support your company in addition to having a positive outlook by offering to assist coworkers with their work, managing your workload wisely, and requesting challenging assignments that will enable you to more directly support the objectives of the company. Your employer may recognize your value and want to keep you as an employee if you demonstrate that you are a hardworking and reliable asset.
Keep in mind that your lifestyle should reflect a professional work ethic. It must be a long-term, sustainable result rather than just a band-aid. As you consider your ideal self at work, make an effort to become that person.
5. Actively prepare
Being concerned about losing your job indicates that you are aware of the possibility. This is sincere, and it may be beneficial if it spurs you on to make preparations for a difficult situation. Consider creating a personal financial plan while you are still employed to safeguard you in case you experience a period of unemployment. The strategy can be as straightforward as setting aside a portion of each paycheck in a savings account or it can involve investing.
In any case, the goal is to amass sufficient funds to support a full-time search for employment. Knowing you have this safety net can help ease your worry about not being able to cover your personal expenses, which will lessen your fear of losing your job.
6. Look for other jobs
Apply your optimistic outlook to potential new employment opportunities so that you have a backup plan. This doesn’t mean you’re leaving your current employer, but rather that you’re acting to protect yourself. You can actually focus your job search on different areas of your current company, so think about asking your manager or the HR department about any lateral career opportunities that might be a good fit for you. In either case, having a backup plan can help you feel less anxious about your current job.
7. Practice self-care
Remember to address more than just the personal side of your fear when trying to overcome it because overcoming any kind of fear should be holistic. Try to take time for yourself and your interests. Take a brisk walk before or after work, read a book, or listen to music for an hour every night, for instance, or just spend time with a close friend. Any healthy activity that makes you happy is advisable. These rituals are crucial because they serve as reliable sources of joy during trying times.
FAQ
Why am I scared of losing my job?
The fear of losing a job primarily results from the anticipation of an uninvited job change or move that could affect continuity or security People who worry about losing their jobs frequently reported having worse physical health and more signs of depression compared to those who were actually laid off.
Should you be afraid of getting fired?
Spend time getting to know yourself. Clear your mind of the stress leftover from your job. You’ll have plenty of time to focus on what makes you happy if you do get fired. You will discover new information about yourself and reevaluate your career objectives.
What to do if I think Im going to lose my job?
Having this fear can have a negative impact on both one’s mental health and daily work performance. It does not discriminate against rank, location, or industry. Fear causes us to have a poor work-life balance and experience career burnout in a manner similar to stress (and frequently inducing stress).
