Chapter 1: The Unexpected Turn of Events

My experience of getting fired turned out to be one of the most pivotal moments in my life.

"Can I have a word in my office?" the HR representative asked.

I sensed trouble the moment I received that unexpected call.

"Sure," I replied, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

It was just an ordinary Tuesday. Everything appeared routine until I received a text from my boss warning me of what was about to unfold.

The message hinted, "They’re letting you go; I tried my hardest."

This was my very first full-time job, and it came to an abrupt end just a few months in. I found myself dismissed before I could fully settle in.

The reason? The company was struggling financially and had to downsize.

At that time, I was a naive and ambitious 22-year-old. Frankly, I wasn't overly concerned about being fired.

"I can either start my own venture or find another job. Who needs this?" I thought.

My plan was straightforward: apply to several positions, and surely someone would take me on.

How challenging could it be?

It took several months to land a new job, and even longer to establish my own business. Ironically, I faced another firing at my second job just months later.

I didn’t harbor any resentment or blame; instead, I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. Indeed, losing my job imparted some crucial lessons about life.

Here's what I discovered:

Lesson #1 — Relying Solely on Employment is the Biggest Risk

Many people express concern about the risks of launching a business.

However, after being fired twice in quick succession, I realized that not pursuing entrepreneurship is an even greater risk.

After my first termination, I entered a state of uncertainty.

I spent months feeling lost, unsure of how to resume my job search. All my friends were thriving in their careers, while I was grappling with a dismissal that was beyond my control.

I recall waking up each day, furiously emailing companies and attending every interview I could.

It didn't matter if it was a startup or a multinational corporation; if I got a call, I was there.

Eventually, I established a daily pattern—though it wasn’t a productive one:

Wake up — pray for a breakthrough — feel thrilled at any interview opportunity — face rejection — sleep — and repeat.

It was disheartening.

Yet, struggle is essential for growth. As Napoleon Hill wisely stated:

"Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle."

This difficult experience taught me to diversify my income streams; depending on a single job is far from secure.

Many seek stability in employment, but there’s no real safety in that. The security blanket can be pulled away at any moment, and when it happens, you can feel utterly lost.

Lesson #2 — Excellence Does Not Guarantee Job Security

"I’m one of the top salespeople in the company; there’s no way I’ll get fired again," I thought when I started my second position.

I was so confident that I even took an additional paid day off to recover from jet lag after a trip.

The following day, I received an email stating:

"The quality of your work does not meet the needs of this organization."

Wait, what?!

I thought I was excelling! My sales figures were impressive!

You’re telling me I lost my job for taking an extra day off?

This taught me a valuable lesson: even if you excel and give your all, you can still be let go for a minor error.

You are replaceable.

And so is every employee in the organization. They just might not realize it yet.

Lesson #3 — You Are Replaceable in Every Business Except Your Own

The most significant lesson from my experiences is that you are easily replaced in any business, except for the one you own.

Even Steve Jobs was dismissed from Apple, the company he founded, simply due to a board decision.

If he can be let go, so can you.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the leading salesperson or the CEO; as long as you’re an employee, you can be replaced.

I cringe when I see posts claiming that work is like family.

This is far from the truth.

Your colleagues might be wonderful people, but they won’t pay your bills if you lose your job.

Family is family, and friends can be family, but colleagues are not. When the chips are down, everyone looks out for themselves.

I learned that it’s critical to create your own business—something in which you cannot be replaced—because, in every other scenario, you can.

Final Reflections

I faced two job losses within my first year in the workforce.

Some may consider me unlucky.

Yet, I view myself as incredibly fortunate.

Had I not gone through those challenging times, I wouldn’t have launched my eco-friendly household brand, nor would I be engaged in the various side hustles I cherish today.

I wouldn't have the opportunity to share my journey through this article.

I could have remained in a "secure" job, anticipating a meager annual raise, oblivious to the multitude of ways to generate income beyond a so-called secure job.

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Chapter 2: Lessons from the Journey

This video discusses the unexpected lessons learned from being fired and how it ultimately changed the course of my career.

In this video, I share the insights I gained while working a 9 to 5 job and the valuable lessons that followed.