Losing a job or changing careers can feel overwhelming at first. But this change can actually open doors to new opportunities. You have valuable skills that matter, no matter where you work next. This time of change is your chance to grow stronger and find an even better path forward.

At The Pinnacle Strategy Group, we’ve helped many people just like you turn career changes into success stories. The people who do best take care of both their emotions and their finances. Here’s how you can do the same.

Taking Care of Your Feelings

How you feel affects the decisions you make during this time. Research shows that people who accept their feelings make better career moves than those who try to ignore them.

Try these simple approaches:

• Write it down: Spend 15 minutes each morning writing about your strengths and skills beyond your old job title. What are you good at, no matter where you work?
• Talk to people you trust: Share what’s happening with 3-5 friends or colleagues who can offer support and maybe even job leads. Tell them clearly what kind of help you need.
• Change how you think about it: Instead of saying “I lost my job,” try saying “I’m finding a new career path.” This small change helps you focus on solutions instead of problems.

Getting Control of Your Money

Taking charge of your finances gives you peace of mind and the freedom to make good choices. Here’s how to understand your money situation without adding stress:

1. Know Your Runway

Figure out how much time you have to make thoughtful decisions.

How to calculate: Total Available Money ÷ (Monthly Must-Pay Bills × 0.9)

This shows you how many months you can cover your expenses while looking for new opportunities.

Action Step: Make a simple chart that shows how many weeks or months of expenses you can cover. Update it weekly.

2. Smart Savings Plan

Be strategic about how you use your savings during this time.

Try this approach: Split your available money into three parts:

• 70% for basic needs (housing, food, bills)
• 20% for career growth (classes, networking events)
• 10% for unexpected opportunities

Action Step: If possible, put money for career growth in a separate account so you don’t accidentally use it for other things.

3. Check Your Financial Flexibility

Some bills can be adjusted during tough times, giving you more breathing room.

Simple check: Look at which monthly payments are fixed (can’t be changed) and which ones might be flexible.

Action Step: Call your creditors (credit cards, loans) and explain your situation. Many have temporary hardship programs that can lower your payments.

4. Smart Spending Choices

Rather than just cutting all “extras,” think about what expenses actually help you move forward.

Quick method: For each expense, ask:

• Does this help my career growth?
• Does this support my health and well-being?
• Does this help me maintain important relationships?

Action Step: Cut expenses that don’t strongly support at least one of these areas, and use that money for things that do.

Staying Mentally Strong

Keeping a clear head during challenging times is essential. These strategies can help:

1. Make Better Decisions

During times of change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices. This simple method can help.

Try This: For any decision, ask yourself: How will I feel about this next week? Next year? Five years from now? This helps you avoid making choices based only on today’s emotions.

Action Step: Before making any big decision, write down the short-term and long-term impacts you expect.

2. Create a Daily Routine

Having a regular schedule isn’t just comforting—it helps you stay productive and focused.

Daily plan: Break your day into 90-minute blocks of focused activity, switching between job searching, learning new skills, and taking breaks.

Action Step: Start each day with one hour focused on your most important task—before checking email or social media.

3. Use Your Network Effectively

The people you know professionally are your most valuable resource right now—but you need to connect with them in the right way.

Simple approach: Make a list of your contacts in three groups:

• Close connections: Check in weekly with 3-5 people
• Industry contacts: Update every two weeks with 10-15 people
• Wider network: Share useful information monthly

Action Step: Create a short, confident explanation of your current situation that focuses on your strengths and what you’re looking for next.

4. Expand Your Skills

Use this time to build skills that make you more valuable in the job market.

Focus on: Deepening your main expertise while also learning related skills that make you more versatile.

Action Step: List your transferable skills (ones that work in many different jobs), and pick 2-3 areas where learning something new would make you more marketable.

Next Steps: Your 30-Day Action Plan

1. Days 1-3: Get Organized
   • Calculate how long your savings will last
2. Days 4-10: Explore Opportunities
   • Research 3-5 growing areas in your field that match your skills
3. Days 11-20: Become More Visible
   • Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight your achievements
4. Days 21-30: Build Momentum
   • Set 3 specific weekly goals for your job search

Remember: Every successful person has faced career changes at some point. How you handle this challenge is building strength and skills that will help you throughout your career.

The Pinnacle Strategy Group offers coaching for professionals going through career changes. We can help you manage your finances, stay positive, and connect with the right opportunities so you can come out of this transition even stronger.

Your best career achievements might still be ahead—and this change could be exactly what gets you there.