How Losing a Battle Can Help You Find a Way to Win the War By Lindsay Grubb I was retrenched from my full time executive personal assistant position in September 2009 during a company restructure. This was not my first retrenchment – over the course of 14 years hard work, I have been retrenched three times. At an interview towards the end of last year, the interviewer noted this and asked me how you get passed something like that. My answer was simple, I told him, “you just do.” Losing your job like that has a tremendous affect on you. It can really bring you down if you let it. There are so many worries. How will we make ends meet at the end of every month? We have a baby girl now, it’s not like before when it was just the two of us, how will we provide for her? Will I ever find a job again in this market? Your confidence in your abilities takes a huge knock with every failed job application or interview. Luckily for me, my husband of ten years is always there for me. He helps me stay balanced and focused on the goals at hand. He encourages me and loves me and this makes all the difference. We have been together for 17 years, married for 10 in March. Communication has always been a priority in our relationship; we talk about everything and always know what is happening with each other. So when it came to this latest retrenchment, we sat down again and talked about it and what it meant for our immediate and long term future. We both come from Christian families and there is one thing that our mothers always instilled in us growing up; when you have a problem no matter how big or small, hand it over to God, and He will guide you through. Philippians 4:6-8 says “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” I thought about my long term goals, what I really wanted to do with my life. When I had looked for a job after taking time off to have our daughter, I had simply looked for any old PA position, just a job to get back into the swing of things. The job I was offered was not perfect, but at the time it was a job and I accepted it gladly. Still in the back of my mind I knew this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my career. What I really want to do is write. I also really want to help others around me while still earning a respectable salary to look after my family. So I thought laterally and after discussion with my husband, I began freelancing while I look for the right position to satisfy those requirements for me.

I have been blessed in being hired for numerous writing jobs which while they may not have been financially as lucrative as one would like, are helping to boost my writing portfolio and I have met some wonderful clients and participated in some wonderful worthy projects. I have also gained some wonderful mentors who are nurturing me and encouraging my personal growth. There is infinite value in lessons you can learn from others life experience! I also work part time for an organisation aimed at encouraging young business people and entrepreneurs across South Africa. One of the Directors is the CEO of the organisation from where I was retrenched and we still enjoy a positive working relationship despite the way things ended with his organisation. I have even been used by this organisation as a freelancer. All of these jobs have helped to tide us over while I am technically still unemployed. It really does teach you to never burn your bridges because you never know what the future holds. I offer my administrative services free of charge to a policeman in Johannesburg who has started a free soccer clinic for youngsters in his area. I met him while facilitating sponsorship of their soccer uniforms. This incredible man gives all his free time to these children and young men. He has arranged incredible sponsorships which has helped in legitimizing his initiative to take the children off the streets, and to teach them not only soccer, but about life skills, the importance of staying in school and about having faith in the Lord. He inspires me on a daily basis. My special pet project is a new website I created aimed at facilitating the meeting of people and ideas, to uplift the community in which I live. It’s a place where people can post what they need and others can respond with offers to help. It is a forum for ideas to grow into businesses which can employ those without jobs, and create learnerships and mentorships for those who need it. I have also been able to spend more time with my daughter and watch as she grows into a vibrant little girl, and I have been able to help my husband with his business handling the admin he is often too busy to get to on his own. This has meant we actually get to spend more time together. For so long I’ve felt so blessed in my life, even in the face of adversity. I believe in paying it forward, I believe that I as an individual can make a difference and challenge others to do so as well. So out of the battle of losing my job and potentially facing many months of unemployed, I am doing my best to stay positive. Everyday I get up in the morning, go through to my home office and I spend time looking for a new job. Every day I try to do something positive for those around me. I find that so spiritually rewarding. I’m not saying it’s easy; it’s not, but with faith in the Lord, with the love and support of your family and friends taking one day at a time can help you stay positive.

I am making lemonade out of lemons, and I plan to win the war!