Exactly one year today, I was laid off from my job.
The director of the school where I was teaching English Language invited me to her office and after a few minutes of “Rita I am sorry I have been asked to terminate your appointment. You may need to get some more training in teaching and probably reapply in the nearest future. Good luck”.
I was dazed. I fought back the tears that almost trickled down my cheeks. I did not see it coming despite the challenges I was having at work that period. “What were her reasons?” I managed to find my voice and asked.
“She said you don’t meet the needs of this organisation. She does not understand your teaching. Your handwriting is not legible. I am sorry but you are not just a good teacher. If you have any objection, you may call her and ask for details”. With that, she dismissed me.
Well I got home but I don’t remember how I did. I have been fired! Wow! I felt like a failure. I cried. I mourned. Honestly it was hard moving on from the experience because until then, I had never confronted outright rejection but I resolved not to let that deter me.
This is it; I have B.A (Ed.) in English and Literature and M.Sc. in Media and Communications. I juggle between teaching and communications. Somehow, relocating from one state to another because of marriage, staying off from job for a while made me pick up teaching job which came pretty easy based on my degree and because that was what came by but truth; I was not particularly enthused about teaching (particularly elementary classes). I struggled.
Just an aside, please respect your children’s nursery and primary teachers; they are doing a great job. You just may never understand. Not everyone can teach; with or without a qualification in education. Fact!
Getting laid off made me stop on my track! It gave me time to look inward and confront myself with sincere questions. I rediscovered my muse; writing.
That was it! I duck into freelance writing and editing opportunities actively. LinkedIn was very helpful. I got a number of freelance writing offers which tilted me back to career in media and communications which I dropped off years before.
Anyway, today, I work full-time as an editor/web content writer for an organisation in Abuja. I blog and manage blogs for a few organisations actively and as well manage their social media handles. Between then and now, I have had the opportunity of being contracted by two Ph.D. students to assist with their research work and it has been a great learning curve. I have also had the privilege of editing couple of books (still editing) for some authors, scripted documentaries and really privy to be part of the editing team of my church media house.
…and I know that the best is yet to come.
Take Away Lessons
Don’t Let People Define you
I was called a failure and incompetent at teaching primary 2 & 5 pupils! She probably was right but I know that I am a not an incompetent teacher based on previous records. I have taught advanced classes. Maybe I would have done better given more time. Sometimes, people may call you failure at something that is not your area of strength; you either take time to learn and grow in it or discover your area of strength or apply yourself to it.
Stand up when you Fall
One of the worse things you can do to yourself is to allow past failures and disappointments hinder you. Pick yourself up from the ground and move on as fast as you can. I chose not to blame the school for firing me. I came to terms with myself, and moved on to what I am enthusiastic about, writing.
Face your Fears
A number of us are afraid to dare to pursue our passion and interest because of fear of the unknown and so we settle for less. Less relationships, unsatisfactory careers and console ourselves with statements like;
“when the desirable is not available; the available becomes the desirable”. Dare to go for your desirable because it is available somewhere.
See God in It
Sometimes, we need unpleasant experiences to push us into God’s best for us. The devil might have meant it for evil but when you see God in it, it will always turn around for good.
Looking back at the day I closed the door behind me after being fired, I now realise that I needed it!
Do you think you too need to be fired or would you rather fire yourself?
