You’re Fired!

June 6, 2007 By Jesse Petersen

I wonder...What would you do differently today if you suspected it might be your last day at the office?

Pink SlipI had a nasty dream up until I woke up this morning. I have no idea how long I was dreaming this awful scenario, but it freaked me out. For some reason, my subconscious dreamt that the chief of Company security, a security guard, and someone lurking in the shadows came to my highly modified dream-like work area to let me know that today was my last day and placed two 2′x1′x1′ boxes with lids on my desk to pack all of my things. Then I laughed and told him I’d need more boxes than that, so they all left me to pack up.

My cube mate was quietly crying around the corner, devastated that someone so fun was leaving, so I kept up a friendly chat the whole time. For some reason I had about 15 Beanie Babies, a laptop, and more gizmos than you can shake a stick at.

I was freaking out the whole time I was packing, thinking about what we were going to do for money. This is the best job I’ve ever had, it’s barely paying the bills, and we’d only have one more quarter paycheck coming if today was my last day. “That’s it; we’re sunk,” was all I could think for a long time in my dream.

Then something happened. I remembered that I have a degree. I have experience. Better yet, I have a network of people and friends and family that will chiefly make sure we don’t starve or lose our apartment. Best yet, I have a promise from God that all of my needs will be met on a daily basis.

I have full confidence that people will help funnel work my way until I can firmly settle down into something freelance. It was an uplifting event. I have never awoken so pumped about the day with a total “come what may” attitude. Not that today would be my last day, but what if Friday was? I think I would handle it a lot better than before my dream.

Now I hand this off to you. How would you take such life-changing news? Can you find it within yourself to pull yourself up and keep on trucking if today was your last day at work?

Filed Under: I Wonder, Office Life

About Jesse Petersen
Jesse is in a word: a geek. I married my gorgeous wife in October 2006 and we enjoy the beach, mall shopping, and watching movies together. He returned to the University of South Florida and completes his Bachelor's Degree in Professional and Technical Writing in 2010. Jesse has several blogs running at this time, most notably the World of Warcraft blog: Gitr Knows WoW, which has been up and running since 2005. If you are interested in any of Jesse's computer services feel free to contact him any time.

  • Trying to understand the hypocrical nature of my opinions on anything, especially religion, would be a full time job. Being agnostic tends to put me at odds with the lesser religions. Its ok, I'm used to being the man with all the answers. ;)
  • It looks like we've got something going here. Thanks for spouting off, Mind. While I don't completely agree with your stand, I can reasonably see where you're coming from and be able to relate to your perspective.

    I appreciate having your comments.
  • Myself having over 10 years exp in my chosen field, I know I would get a decent job paying a comparable wage. Benifits might be an issue. Luckly there is always demand for my kind of services and will be for evar!
    I know we would stuggle, hell we do that now and will continue for at least a few more months. I know we will over come.

    As for god helping....no thank you. I got where I am based on decisions I made with out consulting the G man. We have an understanding, He lets me be and i don't blame Him for MY mistakes or ask Him to clean them up. I pretty sure He protects my kids seeing as they are still alive an kickin, but hey they haven't had The Discussion with Him yet I'm sure. Now if I can just keep my overly-evangelical mother-in-law from Brain-religeon-washing my kids.

    I have nothing against people practicing or spouting thier religions, I just wish they would lay off the kids till they are old enough to figure it out themselves and seek out what they want/need.Nothing scared more then hearing my 5 year old neice tell me she was going to pray for me because I didn't believe in god. (Which isn't true and has never been.) The statement was made because I wouldn't ;et her spout passages from the bible to me when ever she felt my soul was in peril.

    Ooops seeems I'm in a anti-religion mood today. I get all antsy for some reason when people thank god for buring their house down or making them win the lottery. I am an anti-God-Thanker.
  • Hey, thanks for visiting, Mark.

    Great article. I got canned one week before one of my jobs closed the doors at a VC's demand. We lost our insurance, income, and self-worth for quite some time.
  • I remembered that I have a degree. I have experience. Better yet, I have a network of people and friends and family that will chiefly make sure we don’t starve or lose our apartment. Best yet, I have a promise from God that all of my needs will be met on a daily basis.


    Now that's some encouraging news. And it reminds me of an article I edited for TheHighCalling.org in which someone encountered exactly this problem: "Forgive Them? But They Fired Me!"
  • Phil
    Well being in the and Munitions Systems specialist in the United States Air Force, I would say that being discharged honorable would by far be the best of all ways to leave. If I where to be discharged dishonorable I would likely not be in my current job and would most likely be escorted of the base, my ID card confiscated, and all benefits striped from me. So I guess I will strive not to put my self in a position that would end badly and continue to further my education to hedge my bets.
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