“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.” – Oscar Wilde
There are many people who have been displaced by the current state of the economy. Recession has been all over the news for months now, but the job losses and heartache are real. In an area that has almost reached 20% unemployment, I am bombarded with it constantly. I also became a statistic of the down economy myself, when I joined the ranks of the unemployed against my will a few months ago. The interviews are few and far between, and the auto industry, where my work experience has been, has shrunk tremendously. The last couple of months have sent me into a quarter-life crisis that has been very difficult to conquer. For me, the ability to concentrate on the positive aspects of life is what has kept me going.
When I think about the positive consequences of my recent job loss, they seem to split into two separate categories. There are the obvious things, like how I still have my good health, or how I am in complete control of the schedule of my day. This gives me the ability to make a trip to Starbucks at 2:00 pm in the afternoon, or take my roommate’s dogs for a long walk when the weather is nice. I love these aspects of my life right now, which has drawn me to work on several entrepreneurial ideas to test in the future. I believe I am headed toward starting my own business almost solely because of how much I have enjoyed being in control of my free time.
The other category of positives includes what I would call ‘silver linings.’ An example of a silver lining would be how much I love my car now, because I appreciate it more having driven an old junky car during my high school years. These kinds of appreciation are much harder to find, especially in events that seem terrible at first glance. In my opinion, being able to reframe these events is very powerful when attempting to increase your appreciation for daily life.
When I do land on my feet, there is no question I will appreciate it more. I have had a lot of questions and doubts about how I will pay the next month’s bills. Whether I am able to string enough freelance checks together, or find a steady paycheck in my new job, I will definitely NOT be complaining about how difficult my job is in the future. I will appreciate the paycheck and hands-on experiences that will come with the new opportunity.
I have a new found respect for my money and how it is spent. Over the past few months, I have reevaluated my spending habits and the actual value of possessions and experiences. I no longer have cable, and have finally kicked the habit of eating out at restaurants just because I am lazy. Every purchase I now make is calculated, and I am always looking for free alternatives whenever I can. I am hopeful that the money-saving tactics I have learned in recent months will remain with me once I find a steady source of income.
I appreciate all of the opportunities that my last position afforded me. During one of my rotations, I took a trip to Mexicali, Mexico in order to observe a plant that made turbochargers for their upcoming engine. Another rotation included an apartment in downtown Chicago and a company car, while working at the assembly plant that built the Ford Taurus. These are both experiences that I would not been able to have, if not for my previous position. I learned a great deal from the year and a half that I worked there, and the experience gained can never be taken away from me.
Most of all, what I appreciate most is the support of my family and friends. Their support has been overwhelming. For the past six months, I have been able to live with a couple of friends for reduced rent, or no rent at all. Other friends have been more than helpful, paying for countless meals and drinks while listening to me complain about my situation. Others still have helped me get my blog to what it is today. It has been a very trying six months for me, and I am certain that I would not have been able to make it through without the love and support of my family and friends. There is no way I will ever thank everyone enough for their help, but I am doing everything I can to show my appreciation.
Appreciative Revolutionary: Benjamin T. Wilcox (@benjaminwilcox)
Bio: Ben is a 25 year old who calls most of the Midwestern US home, but is currently residing in Detroit, Michigan. With an obsession for music and football, he is exploring new ideas on the meaning of wealth, job security and happiness. Through his blog, he seeks to provide a blueprint for self improvement and contentment for everyday life.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream
I appreciate Ben’s perserverance, the way he integrates an engineer’s perspective with the insight he shares on his blog, and his endless devotion to his beloved Cleveland Browns!
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