Best Challenge of 2009

Most everyone else wrote about their Best Moment of Peace in 2009. I did too. But after writing it up, I decided that you wouldn't fully appreciate it unless you knew about my biggest challenge.

Once upon a time, half way through the year, my boss decided he would rather I didn't work for the company anymore. Which hey, now I understand that it was really his prerogative, but back in July it was a terrible, horrible shock.

In terms of workforce trends, 2009 has been the year of the layoff. But my separation from the company was more of what some circles would term "getting fired." No one really wants to be unemployed, but the whole idea that my performance wasn't up to par with expectations was pretty humiliating. Because not only was I unemployed, but I sort of felt like I sucked as a human being.

However, through the duration of this whole experience, I learned lessons I couldn't have learned any other way--really essential life-altering lessons. Stay tuned for the Best Lesson Learned (aka Best Learning Experience) on December 24.