Getting fired helped her reignite passion for work

As a fan of “The Apprentice,” I look forward each week to Donald Trump saying, “You’re fired.” Never did I think I’d hear my boss say that.

Even though I told him that I couldn’t work for someone who didn’t respect me, he essentially fired me that next day.

A lot of shame and low self-worth occurs when someone tells you that you’re disposable. But I’ve realized lately that shame never creates change. That night was a breakthrough for me, when I stood up and said, “No more.”

Looking back, my boss and I never saw eye to eye. He hated my columns, saying they were too personal. I wanted more real life in print, so we often locked heads over content. Regardless of our different opinions, I never worried about losing my job.

I know now that he had someone else in mind for the job, so I believe his plan was to make me quit when he called me into his office. He made a valiant effort. For more than an hour, he brow-beat me about my wrong-doings. I’d had enough. I told him the only time he spoke to the staff was when he had a negative comment – what we’d do for one nice remark about how hard we were working! I continued about the newsroom’s low morale and that as a leader, he needed to think about how he treated us.

I left that night feeling good that I stuck up for myself and that the talk might help our communication. It was overdue, and boss or no boss, he was wrong in constantly putting down our efforts.

He didn’t share the same feelings and asked for a meeting the next day. I knew something was up because he avoided meeting us one on one. All he said was, “I decided to let you go.” That was it, but I couldn’t respond because I was concentrating so hard to keep my lip from quivering.

In my heart I had quit the night before but didn’t because I couldn’t afford it financially. I realize now that my soul could not have afforded to stay. Getting fired sucks. What I was once embarrassed to tell people, I am proud to say in this “personal” column that I love. I’ve found my heartbeat again.

And it seems what was once my loss but ultimate gain has helped others too. A former co-worker recently cornered me at a party. With tears in her eyes, she said how proud she was of what I told our boss – they were words she never had the courage to say. She loved being a reporter but quit because she couldn’t stand the negativity and strain on her mental health. In her words and hug, I felt like I had come full circle.

I hear he now occasionally sends e-mail praising them for a good job. My former co-workers thank me for that, saying something I said must have gotten through. I thank him too – or at least I will when my book gets published and I send him a copy.

There’s a lesson in everything; events happen at a specific moment for a reason. It’s our job to choose which direction to take. I learned to stop seeking approval at the cost of my self-worth – not from my boss or others who treat me badly. Let people think what they will of you, but don’t compromise yourself to fit an image. Just as we aren’t our mistakes, we should never define our worth from other people’s pain or judgment.

Getting fired could have led to a breakdown, but it became my breakthrough. Remember that when life throws you a curve ball, look for a chance to hit it out of the park.