What you do, not Who you are

Matthew Gerrell

Unfortunately, almost daily, we hear of layoffs and people losing the role and livelihood they have built with loyalty and trust. This is a sad part of business and losing a job can shake you.

It can make you question your value, your abilities, and sometimes even the career you spent years building.

But there is something I hope anyone going through this remembers:

A company’s decision does not define your worth.

Layoffs happen. Companies restructure. Leadership changes. Budgets get cut. Strategies shift. Positions that once seemed essential disappear overnight. You have colleagues who tell you they have your back and you'll never stand alone, suddenly gone.

None of that erases the work you’ve done, the relationships you’ve built, the people you’ve helped, or the experience you’ve earned.

You are still you.

You still have your knowledge.

You still have your talent.

You still have your work ethic.

You still have your reputation.

And you still have everything you learned along the way.

So believe in yourself, especially on the days when that feels difficult.

After taking the time you need, get up. Make a plan. Stay focused. Make the call. Send the email. Have the coffee. Take the meeting. Ask for help. Help someone else. Keep moving forward.

And give yourself permission to believe that what comes next might be better than what came before.

Careers are rarely straight lines. Sometimes the turns we never planned are the ones that lead us somewhere we never would have found otherwise.

I know these words might seem empty to many who are in this situation, but I hope we all remember; your job is what you do, not who you are.