How to Get Fired

Getting fired pretty much always stinks.

But theres something distinctly humbling about being fired from your gig as a workplace advice columnist.

I know, because it happened to me.

Okay, I wasnt technicallyfired.

I was a freelance contributor, not a staffer.

Ive had experience with gigs ending in various ways.

The happy news is that my career as a work-advice columnist didnt end after all.

Im writing a new columnobviously, its for Lifehacker, and its called Human Resource.

I cant wait to get back to being a watercooler therapist, helping you with your questions and dilemmas!

We all need a sympathetic ear sometimes, and maybe some counsel from a neutral but well-meaning third party.

And Im excited to hear from you.

Dont be shy:[email protected].

Meanwhile, Ive been ruminating on my own recent experience with a work crisisnamely, getting booted.

I recently lived advice that nobody has ever asked me for: how to get fired.

And I dont exactly mean what should you do when you get fired.

Its better to alwayshave a kind of low-grade, ambient awareness of and openness to other professional opportunities.

Thats true even if youre ecstatic with whatever youre doing.

More importantly, if the day ever comes when you get blindsided, you wont be starting from scratch.

This proved quite helpful.

Stay on good terms with colleagues you dont even work with directly.

Stay on good terms with colleagues you dont even work with directly, with assistants and even interns.

You never know whose opinion of you and your abilities will matter some day!

So respect, and seek to be respected by, as many coworkers as is reasonably possible.

This is good for your careerand also good for your soul.

Hm, what do new editors do?

They replace existing columns withnewcolumns!

This is not personal.

And lets just say it happens to the best of us.

The key is to think about that change from a perspective that isnt yours.

And maybe your paths will cross again.

Yes, we all get the logic.

So let me give a shot to offer a slightly different reframing.

As noted, it totally sucks to lose your gig.

But take a deep breath and take a stab at keep an open mind about what might come next.

Whats the bottom line?

Its one thing to just spout this reasonable advice, as I have for years.

Its something else toliveit.

But happily, I think my general philosophy of coping with the work world ended up serving me well.

Life is long, we might even work together again some day!

Cant wait to hear from you.

Heres that address again:[email protected].