GETTING FIRED --GETTING HIRED

The next two paragraphs have been copied from Dr. Jim Tunney’s most recent weblog posting from his The Tunney Side of Sports (“What Do I Do Now?”, September 9, 2019).  Jim Tunney, who has been called the Dean of National Football League (NFL) Referees, lives in California and works out at the Resort where I work.   I would recommend his inspiring (in a non-religious way) and motivational thoughts as worthy of your consideration.  This posting was generated by the reality faced every year around September 1^st when 500-600 aspiring college football stars get cut from the tryout rosters of the 32 NFL teams.

“Have you ever been cut or fired from a job? If not, you are missing out on one of life’s most personal challenges. One of the first things that comes to mind when that “grim reaper” appears is: “What do I do now?” Friends and loved ones will tell you: “When one door closes, another one will open?” Yeah, but when your world collapses, you struggle to keep positive. However, begin to look for that next door to open – and it will! It may not open when you want it to, but, as has often been said: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

“Hopefully, the person making the decision to fire you is someone who will look you straight in the eye, explain the decision and point out other opportunities – in and out of whatever your current job happens to be. You hope that person making that decision will wish you well and leave the door open for you to call if they can help further. It’s never easy. If, however, you are the one in-charge, be sure you express those feelings to those you are releasing. After all, you did hire/employ that individual and felt at the time it was a good decision. Unless the firing is for egregious behavior, you still are releasing an individual with whom you had confidence.”

I would add to Jim’s remarks that any person who has shown enough self-discipline and worked hard enough to even get invited to try out for a professional sports team will have a great deal of what it takes to be hired to some other profession. Desire, determination, and discipline (not only on the field but in the classroom and in interpersonal relationships) are what it takes—and with it you can do almost anything.