The New Normal

Remember when you got your first cell phone? You might have bought it “just for emergencies”. Perhaps you even kept it in your glove box and called it a “car phone”. Most likely, you did not use it as your primary means of communication. Now, for the majority of professionals (and teenagers everywhere), daily use of a cell phone is the new normal.

Remember getting your first big raise? It’s a thrill to think about all of that extra money in your paycheck. Did your salary still feel like there was anything “extra” about it after a year? Or did your increased monthly income become your new normal?

By nature, we are equipped with the ability to adapt – whether it’s to new technologies, new relationships or new economic circumstances. Sam Wang, a neuroscientist from Princeton University, says that human beings are “remarkably resilient in adapting to events.” This is true whether the initial event is positive or negative. “You might imagine that something like losing a limb would really affect one’s happiness. But studies have shown that after a few years, you adapt and it’s almost as if you had not lost the limb in terms of your happiness.”

Many of us have endured changes to our economic circumstances in this past year – losing a job, losing a home, or just generally learning to live with less. It can be difficult to adjust to changes that you haven’t asked for, or that happen quite suddenly. If you are one of the many unexpectedly unemployed Americans, here are some tips on making the transition to your new normal:

1. Shed your old self. Holding onto your old way of viewing yourself will hinder your ability to adapt to your new reality. You may need to let go of your old job title. This can be difficult for those who used to define themselves through their work. Create a title, or personal brand, for yourself that transcends jobs so that your identity is all about you, not about your company.
2. Think differently about yourself. Learn to describe yourself in a new way. Think about the unique skills, talents and abilities that you have honed over your career. Usually, these are bigger than what you did at any one job. Create an elevator speech which encapsulates what’s unique about you.
3. Be proud. There’s no shame in losing your job. With 10% unemployment in the U.S., you are in good company. In other words, it’s now normal. Getting laid off does not erase all of your excellent contributions to your former employer or the work experience you’ve built up over the years. That’s yours to keep.
4. Dress for a new role. You’ve probably heard the age-old advice to “dress like the boss”. But what if you have no boss? If you’re striking it out as an internet entrepreneur, you don’t need to dress like a banker. Don’t let your identity get caught up in a suit and tie.
5. Find a new source of validation. Many people receive validation through their paycheck; they build their self worth through money. That is an old paradigm. Instead of receiving validation from what you have or what you can buy, look for validation in: who you can help, what you can become, how well you adapt, and how authentically you are aligned with Your Unique Brand™.

To find out more about creating a powerful unique personal brand in words, online, and in print, email Deborah Madary at dmadary@youruniquebrand.com . Also, you can visit www.benchmarkconsulting.org to learn more about our services.