How to stay motivated when in limbo?

[indyrowergirl]

Apologies - this will be long.

I know some here have recently gone through this, so I thought I'd ask for advice.  I've worked for my company for >15 years (way longer than I thought I would be here).  We found out recently that we'll be doing a round of voluntary lay-offs.  My boss has a target number to cut from her group, and people can volunteer to be chosen.  I volunteered (due to my term of service, I'd get more than a year of severance pay) with the hope that I'll find another role closer to home (current commute is an hour each way).  There's no guarantee that I'll be chosen, and I won't know for at least two more weeks.  My motivation is tanking.  I'm trying hard to stay focused and ignore all of the what-if scenarios running through my head. I feel like I'm in limbo, but the project that I'm leading can't afford for me to completely check out.  Anyone have any advice on staying with it?

A follow up question - if I'm chosen, I have 12 weeks to find a new role within my company, or I can choose to leave early and still be paid for those 12 weeks (on top of the year+ severance).  I already know that I would not look for a new role here.  Part of me is like eff-it, they've had more than 15 years of me, I'm out on day one.  However, I'm leading a project that will have go live right before the end of that 12 week window.  I've been with my current boss for 6 years.  She's awesome, and I really enjoy working for her.  So, part of me wants to stick it out and keep working through those 12 weeks even though I don't "have to" so that I don't leave my boss high-and-dry.  WWWPD? 

TL;DR - how do you stay motivated during times of corporate re-structuring?  If you got laid off would you be out the door on day one even if it meant leaving your boss hanging and risk the success of a high profile project?

[2chatter]

Many people here have moved in similar scenarios - none of them could finish their previous projects because they took on new roles for which they were compensated. I'd look at what is there and then decide.

For motivation, I make lists for every day and plod through them when I feel like that. I've been rolled off midsize projects to pull big ones and I always feel like I'd rather just not any more knowing I am walking away and the person taking it over won't run it as well. A list forces me to focus.

[Widget123]

Honestly I think you have to worry about yourself vs. the company and your current boss. I'd be out on day 1. If you feel guilty of potentially leaving your boss high and dry, maybe in these next few weeks you can try to more closely bring a few others from the team (assuming they exist) into a deeper understanding and level of involvement of what you are doing so that if/when you leave they will be in a better position to continue without you?

[librarychica]

Another vote for checklists. Whenever I'm feeling disconnected, a list makes me do it anyway.

I would be out on day 1. Good luck! I hope what you need to work out works out.

[justcheckingin73]

I feel that you need to take it one thing at a time. I know that is probably really hard - I often have many what-if scenarios going through my head. But, I think the first what-if is - what-if you're not chosen? Maybe this sounds too negative but I would lower my expectations and tell myself - I probably won't be chosen. Then get back into it. Like others said, make your checklists and power through.

I would probably choose to leave right away unless seeing the project through would look really good on my resume. You have to transition and offload at some point. Plus, you will find yourself going through a range of emotions. When I was laid off, even though I didn't love my job and was looking for something else, I was still sad and angry and bitter. And if your motivation is tanking now, it might really go downhill if you choose to stay those 12 weeks. That's longer than a "regular" maternity leave in the US.

[saraml13]

I would probably leave right away. You have to remember that it is just business, not personal. Being laid off has made me realize just how little companies care about employees. Sorry if that is cynical.

I might consider staying if the project is a major accomplishment that would look good on your resume. Only do it if it's too your advantage, not because you feel like you should be nice to your company.

[2chatter]

The extra 12 weeks of pay isn't persuasive? Time to buff up the resume and in theory, double up on income as that leaves a year and three months of income on the table....

[Deleted]

Well its only 2 weeks until you find out. So its like right before a vacation or a maternity leave or senioritis where you think you will be leaving soon. I think you just mentally have to count down on your calendar and power through.

I think I would definitely be tempted to leave day 1. Another 3 months of paid time off in addition to the year sounds amazing to me. I am not sure I could keep working if I got the same amount of money lounging in my PJs.

[saraml13]

Feb 16, 2017 15:35:50 GMT -5 2chatter said:

The extra 12 weeks of pay isn't persuasive? Time to buff up the resume and in theory, double up on income as that leaves a year and three months of income on the table....

The way I read OP was that she would be paid for those 12 weeks either way, on top of the 1 year severance.  

[2chatter]

saraml13 - that's makes more sense!! Yeah, then escape if you can!

[seamonster]

I would prepare on how to hand things off for when you leave. I'd be out day 1 myself if I was going to get paid either way, but I wouldn't want to leave my group completely in a lurch and damage those relationships.

[mommyatty]

In terms of staying motivated, assume you won't be chosen. And think of how sucky it will be if they now think you are a slacker.

If you don't want another job there, leave on Day 1. That's 12 more weeks to devote to job searching at another company.

[Deleted]

In terms of leaving a good note I think you could say leave Day 1 with plenty of notice. And the first week take a couple of days and come in for an hour of training or type up notes if you don't have time before that for a succession plan.

The person that worked my position before came in and trained me for an hour unpaid. That was nice of her and you are being paid.

Just make sure you aren't always being called. When H had severance the paperwork did read that they could call him if needed and he had to answer and help them out during the severance time. They never called but the first company was shady private equity getting ready for a sale and he wasn't on a project for the second company.

So don't muddy the waters, but be helpful? Does that help?

[rach]

I would focus on documenting your current project so you're in a good spot to transition if you are picked. I would be out on Day 1 if you don't plan to apply for more jobs there.