Losing a job is a difficult situation both financially and psychologically. It can be one of the greatest challenges you face. To get past the initial shock, you must look to change the negative feelings you have to a positive outlook. Easier said than done? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely!

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it” — Charles Swindoll

This is the approach you need to take with your current situation. The deed is done, you’re out of work and you can either wallow in self-pity or pick yourself up, dust yourself off and begin to figure out what you’re going to do now. You really have no choice!

First, develop a plan. Not knowing what to do leads to uncertainty of the future and it breeds stress, fear, and negativity. When you have a plan, you have greater confidence that your journey will end successfully. Confidence builds more confidence and it comes across in the interactions you have in networking conversations, in interviews with recruiters and hiring managers.

Still, it’s unrealistic and almost impossible to not have negative thoughts during this time. You must face them head on. Speak the negative thoughts out loud and hear them for the nonsense that they are. “I’m never going to get a job” … ridiculous! “I’m too old” … only if you believe it! “Maybe I’m not that talented?” … Just look at your career, how long you’ve been working and the accomplishments you’ve had!

Don’t let negative thoughts go unaddressed

If you let them go, they will fester and grow in the darkness of your mind. If you address them, they cannot survive the light of day. It can be helpful to write a list of your accomplishments and all the positive things, personally and professionally, that have happened to you and that you have in your life. In times when negativity creeps in, read the list to reinforce the good things you have to be thankful for. When you do this, you overwhelm negativity with positivity, and it doesn’t stand a chance.

Finally, there are many options for help if you’re struggling with the mental aspect of your job loss. In more extreme cases, therapy and medication may be necessary. There are also books, audio programs and videos that can help too.

In the end, the outcome to this great challenge in your life is up to you. Worrying about things out of your control and feeling bad about your situation won’t get you to where you want to be. You will have negative thoughts and feelings, but you need to address these challenges directly and focus on the things that will change your situation.