Nobody wants to lose their job. Having a reason to get up every morning, a sense of purpose, and oh yea, a steady paycheck that pays bills and allows you function as a member of society, it’s kind of important. The thought of getting canned is stressful, let alone the reality if it actually happens. But sometimes, losing your job can end up being the best thing that could ever happen to you. Here’s a few reasons why…

1. You’ll Regain Your Hustle

It’s probably been a while since you had to put a little extra effort and energy into your career, and searching for a new job forces you to do just that. There’s nothing like being handed a pink slip to light the fire under your ass. If you’re lucky enough to receive unemployment, you’ll quickly realize just how far that check doesn’t go. So you’re going to have to hustle.

Anxiety isn’t always a bad thing if you can channel it and use it for your benefit.  Put that nervous “oh shit, I have no income!” energy into some proactive activities: search the internet for available jobs, network with former colleagues and business acquaintances, update up your resume, and assess your job skills and career goals.  Basically, treat your job search like a new job.

Job security can give you a sense of overconfidence that can sometimes make you a little lazy. When that security is tossed out the window, you’ll be forced to think quickly to get yourself back onto your feet.  The renewed energy you’re forced to have about the job search will reinvigorate you and likely the next steps your life takes.

2. Re-Evaluate Your Goals And Priorities

Losing your job also forces you to start from the beginning. Reassessing your goals, priorities, even your way of thinking.  While that might seem like taking a step backwards, consider that you’re starting out your new search with the knowledge and experience that comes from having previous job or career. You know  more about what you want and don’t want in a job, the type of company you want to work for,  how your skills could be applied better or differently, what your expectations are from a position, etc..

Maybe you want to stay in the same field and are content with a similar position. But maybe you’re not. This is a great time to find something a little better suited for you.  It’s going to feel like getting back into the gym after a hiatus: you’ll probably be out of breath and really sore for a few days, but it will get you on the right, and probably on a better, track.

3. Take Risks You Otherwise Were Too Afraid To Take

Remember when you were still employed at your ho-hum job and you spent half the day dreaming about that “perfect career” or what you’d do if you could just get out of this place? Guess what, that time has arrived!

Here is the absolute, most perfect time for you to take that big leap you’ve been otherwise afraid to take. Because seriously, at this point what do you have to lose? Maybe you want to start your own business (it doesn’t take that much to get started, remember?).  Maybe you want to try a completely different career path. Whatever it is that you want to try, use this newfound free time to do it.

The worst thing that could really happen is that you find that your “dream job” isn’t actually that. Or maybe that starting the business you want just isn’t feasible right now. But now is the chance to  try to make a go of it. Give yourself the opportunity to try. Had you still been employed, it’s much less likely that you would have ever taken that risk.

Losing your job isn’t something you think about when the alarm clock rings in the morning. It can come as quite a shock and leave you stressed and feeling vulnerable. But if you can channel that anxious energy into positive action, you’ll find that losing your job might just be the best thing to ever happen to you.