10/31/2026
“That’s the job - get over it.”
I’ve talked to several people the last two weeks who have lost their jobs.
It’s that time of year. Companies are looking at fourth-quarter projections, evaluating their numbers, and making “difficult decisions.”
I’ve always been struck by the cruelty of the timing.
A company’s fourth quarter is a family’s holiday season.
A company can close out the year with the comfort of knowing its difficult decisions are behind it.
Meanwhile, many families are just beginning a gauntlet of difficult decisions, knowing the new year may not bring them that same clean slate and comfort.
And there’s something about that contrast that just breaks my heart.
One of the people who lost their job this week has a partner who has been battling cancer.
When that employee needed additional time off to care for their family, it wasn’t the company that said, “Take whatever time you need.”
It was coworkers who donated their own PTO.
It wasn’t the company that organized the meal train.
It was their kid’s school’s PTA.
It reminded me of a friend who lost their job several years ago, just weeks after receiving the best annual performance review of their career. They’d even received a raise.
And then, suddenly, they were no longer needed.
There’s a psychological toll to being told you’re an exceptional employee, giving everything you have, and then discovering you’re still expendable.
One of the people I spoke with this week is angry. Rightfully so.
They told me they’re going to be watching their former company’s year-end profits. Because they suspect the company will still be profitable. Just a little MORE profitable without them and their coworkers as liability. 
Yesterday, I was also texting with one of my dearest friends, who is incredibly burned out. And so are their coworkers.
Their direct manager sees it. Recognizes it. And is genuinely trying to help in every way possible.
But it’s not enough.
So that manager took those concerns to their own supervisor, hoping for some support, some understanding, or maybe even a solution.
His response?
“That’s the job. Get over it.”
I only know one person in that building, but I can assure you, nobody walked into work yesterday feeling particularly inspired.
And I think that’s part of what troubles me so much about the way we sometimes approach work.
We talk endlessly about employee engagement, loyalty, productivity, and company culture.
But when employees are exhausted, overwhelmed, or struggling, how often are they simply told to push through?
It makes me think..

How many times do we answered a work call during family time?
How many times have I worked a quote from the outfield of our daughter’s game?
How many mornings have I woken up absolutely bone-tired, exhausted, and still put one foot in front of the other, showered, gotten dressed, and gone to work?
I believe in working hard. Honestly, I genuinely enjoy working. I believe in showing up, doing your best, and taking pride in what you do.
But these past few days have reminded me that boundaries matter.
Not every phone call needs to be answered.
Not every email needs a response in 30 seconds.
Not every family dinner needs to be interrupted.
And not every employer who asks you to go above and beyond will be there for you when life gets difficult.
Much like when someone passes away and we’re suddenly reminded how short life is, hearing about these job losses has reminded me to be more intentional with my own time.
We should set boundaries.
We should put the phone down (personally this is the area I need the most self-improvement in).
To anyone who has recently lost their job, especially those facing the holidays with uncertainty:
I believe you.
I believe you were a good employee.
I believe you came in early.
I believe you stayed late.
I believe you answered calls when you should have been enjoying your family.
I believe you made sacrifices nobody ever noticed.
I believe you cared about your job, your coworkers, and the work you did.
And I believe losing that job hurts in ways that go far beyond a paycheck.
I hope you know that losing your job does not erase a single thing you contributed while you were there. Maybe the company noticed maybe they didn’t but I promised your clients did! Or your students. Or co-workers.
Over the years, I’ve talked to so many people who have told me, “Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Of course, very few of them felt that way when it happened.
There have been times when I’ve said, you can’t always affirmation yourself into a good mood. Sometimes I need MORE than a positive thought. I need the positive thing to ACTUALLY happen.
And if by chance today is one of those days when you’re struggling to find something positive to tell yourself, maybe borrow a little something from Mel Robbins:
“What if it all works out?”
Not because it’s guaranteed to.
Not because the road ahead won’t be difficult.
But because, even when you can’t see it yet, there’s still a possibility that something wonderful is waiting on the other side of this.
So, to anyone standing in that scary, uncertain place right now, I’m cheering for you.
I’m cheering for the next opportunity.
I’m cheering for the employer who recognizes what your last one lost.
And maybe, just maybe, I’m cheering for this to be the moment that pushes you toward that big, BIG thing you’ve always dreamed of doing.
Whatever that thing is.
I hope your next chapter is better than anything you could have imagined.
And for the rest of us, maybe this is our reminder that while companies have quarters, budgets, projections, and fiscal years…
We have one life.
And the people we love deserve more than whatever time we have left over after work. 💙
(In case you missed it the sunrise was beautiful today.)
