I Just Got Laid Off. I Know Exactly What to Do.

Start-up life has given me a “Surthrival” To Do List that works for anyone.

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I’m on a call with four other people, including the company CEO, when I see an incoming call from my boss and someone from human resources. This can only mean one thing: layoffs.

I’ve been expecting it.

The company is a start-up and has had three rounds of layoffs since I started two and a half years ago. Recently, it has become obvious that marketing is overstaffed in some areas, and understaffed in others.

Plus, this is not my first rodeo. I’ve worked at two other start-ups, both also beleaguered by layoffs. I can see the signs a mile away and I’ve been staring at them for a while, wondering when they’d come to fruition. I was hoping to get a few more months, as my family has been taking some nail biting financial hits.

My car is in the shop for work that involves rebuilding things to keep the left front wheel on the car (a must do, a few grand). We also just learned my daughter, like me, has a shorter leg, but hers is an entire inch shorter and requires an expensive-even-with-insurance orthotic (another must do).

Still, when I answer the call, I’m calm. I’ve prepared for this. I know exactly what to do after I…