First, don’t panic. “Of course, it’s easy for me to say that,” you may say. Actually not. I have been laid off too. But I was always prepared. But those were pre-AI days. So things were a little different. But my first lay off was one of the my best life lessons. Here’s my playbook to manage “you are fired!” situation. First, take a deep breathe, smile, and tell yourself, “hiring and firing are routine in the business world. No surprise here fellas!” Second, take a long walk or go for a jog and relax. Next, call a friend and request a meeting. You need a friend to discuss your plan and ask for suggestions. Remember, even lawyers hire lawyers to plead their cases. They don’t self-represent. So, there’s nothing wrong in seeking your friend’s views. This is not the time to be reticent. Boldly ask for help from your contacts. You may be unemployed but there’s no shame in asking someone in your network about potential opportunities. Don’t assume you will be despised or derided. But expect to be ignored. Not many will help. It’s a numbers game. So, approach it methodically and be realistic in your expectation. Never blame yourself for getting fired. Companies fire intelligent, hard-working, loyal people everyday. Disassociate your ego from the process and keep pushing. You will succeed.