Ask Dr. Helen: Are Men Who Lose their Jobs Really ‘Addicted to Success’?
I think these are 2 issues that can co-exist or not. Addicted to anything is dangerous. And if money is all you live for or if your job is all you live for, then losing those, should give anyone an opportunity to reevaluate the gift of life. Taking stock in what you have is important.
And what about losing a job is really the most painful? The loss of income or loss of identity? Will someone from your work give your eulogy?
To throw the word success in an article with “money” is a whole other discussion. I don’t see a rich person and immediately think “success.”
I saw a guy this morning distributing food to homeless people as he’s done every day for the past 10 years and I see “success.”
But being laid off is like having your balls cut off. The pain is that you don’t really have control of your own life, your own livelihood. Like having a parent leave. I think for men that is the most damaging aspect. How many people would settle for less money if they could control their own lives.
Give something back, just when it seems impractical and the rewards will follow. Every time I’ve helped a stranger for no reason it has always come back to provide some type of reward, even professionally. Ultimately, you do get what you give, and it’s not about grinding hours at work.
