8 Things I Learned from Being Fired

Rene SylerI've been watching the firing of NBC Today Show co-anchor Ann Curry pretty closely, and I feel her pain. I know what it's like to sit in that seat, the seat that you have worked your entire career for, only to have it yanked out from under you. I know what it's like to have the music stopped, suddenly becoming the odd man out.

My situation was different from Curry's, but in many ways they are exactly the same. I co-hosted a network morning news program. I know what it's like to have people who don't know you discuss you and your future as if they had stake in the outcome. I know what it's like to have to continue going into work with that elephant in the room. And I know that there is a wonderfully fulfilling life on the other end of all this crap.

So I got to thinking about the past six years or so and came up with these 8 things I learned from being fired:



Rene Syler1. You need to own the pain
When my career was at its peak, it was impossible for me to imagine life could get any better. Or worse. Being fired from any job is tough, much less one so public. I stayed focus because I knew I was having life-altering surgery just two weeks later (I had a mastectomy)











Related: You'll save money on therapy...and 7 more unexpected benefits of exercise








Rene Syler2. The life you plan is seldom the life you lead
Here I am in high school, bright, shiny, and optimistic about the future. Little did I know I would lose my job, breasts and hair in a two-year period.

















Rene Syler3. Fear is a powerful motivator
I thought I would throw up if one more person told me, "When one door closes…." or it's cliché cousin, "This will be the best thing to ever happen to you."


















Rene Syler4. You can't steer a still ship
This is one of my favorite sayings. It reminded me then (and still does now), that though the path may not be clear, you gotta get moving in a direction, ANY direction. You can make changes as you go along.


















Rene Syler5. You will find out who your friends are
Being fired strengthened my relationship with my husband of 18 years but also tested it in ways unimaginable. My friends stayed by my side through my firing, too. How is it that the roughest patch of my life is accompanied by the biggest smiles?















Related: 5 things all women want to hear









Rene Syler6. Never stop smiling!
Yes, I know how hard that is, especially when the pain is fresh. Remind yourself it won't always be that way, and then believe it.














Rene Syler7. No one will save you
No one will believe in you as much as you believe in yourself, so stop waiting for your white knight. Better yet, BE the white knight and save yourself.














Rene Syler8. You will have the last laugh
And this is true. But by then you won't give two spits about what anyone else thinks.








- By Rene Syler
Follow Rene at Babble

For 2 more things I learned from being fired, visit Babble!

MORE ON BABBLE

11 reasons I'm happy my husband's unemployed
16 irrational things I do when I'm in a bad mood
14 things you should NEVER say to a woman
8 tips to help you get out of debt ... that actually work
20 little ways to de-stress throughout the day



Rene SylerAfter two decades as a television news anchor, including four years on CBS' The Early Show, Rene Syler decided it was time for a change. Tired of reading from a teleprompter, Rene was determined to find her own voice and inspire women like herself - juggling busy lives, raising children and trying to live up to impossible parenting ideals. The result is Rene's missive on modern motherhood, Good Enough Mother.


Get updated on the 50 most interesting names in parent blogging. Follow Babble Voices on Facebook and Twitter.