WeeklySA_AdminREBUILDING: Life coaches say there is always proverbial light at the end of the tunnel
By Thuli Zungu
THE Covid-19 pandemic-related lockdown restrictions have adversely affected many people, and among these is Nobelungu Mhlungu*. As a result of the restrictions also leading to major dents in the economy, with numerous companies shedding jobs, Mhlungu was among the victims.
Her job loss in May this year caused Mhlungu so much pain that she could not even muster ample courage and strength to leave her house, even after the lockdown restrictions were eased down to level 2, recently. Fifty five year old Mhlungu of Umhlanga Rocks in KwaZulu-Natal, says only her husband and children know of her situation which she finds embarrassing.
Mhlungu told Weekly SA Mirror this week that she had just bought a new German-made sedan and taken a second bond to refurbish her house when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the first major lockdown restrictions in March, last year.
She had first struggled to afford her car and house loan repayments in full, as well as her son’s tertiary education fees, until she had to depend on her husband, who is now the sole breadwinner.
Mhlungu said situation is giving her sleepless nights and is also devastating her entire family. Mhlungu said she cannot face the hard reality of being unemployed, as she had attached her identity and self-worth to her job, career and position at her workplace, where she had thought that she still had 15 more years to climb the corporate ladder before she retired.
“Losing a job can be a knock to your self-esteem, and building yourself and your confidence back up again, is an arduous process,” Mhlungu said. Ryan Tyack, a life and consciousness coach and the founder of the Potential Is Human programme, says the first and most important step of the journey of coping with job loss and rebuilding one’s life, is finding peace and acceptance amid one’s myriad circumstances. Tyack said rebuilding your sense of self-worth starts with understanding that a job does not define you, and that picking oneself up and carrying on, while being difficult, is still possible. “There is always a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, Tyack said.
According to Tyack, there is no career, position or role that can make you any more complete than what you already are. “By finding acceptance within, the suffering begins to dissolve as you notice how the external situation no longer defines your worth; and, gently, the strife begins to release its grip on you,” Tyack said.
Dawn Klatzko, an executive and business coach, who is also a part of the Potential is Human programme, said the people who found themselves in Mhlungu’s shoes should reframe their thinking.
“One should turn thee negative thinking patterns around, and start adopting positive outlooks and perspectives,” Klatzko said. “This may seem impossible when one is in a difficult situation, but changing from the ‘life happens to me’ to the ‘life happens because of me’ mindset is far healthier, and this positive outlook is more productive for your career and future.”
Gavin Lund, a co-founder of the Sterkla mobile app that connects individuals to professional coaching services, said there are countless benefits to pursuing coaching support, particularly for those who may have just lost their jobs. “Working with a qualified coach can help you to set achievable goals for yourself, so as to find a new path to greatness,” Lund explained.
Lund said losing a job is not easy, both financially and emotionally, but he has said that those affected should, “Go easy on yourself, as you attempt to get your life and career back on track; keeping in mind that taking a positive approach and reaching out for help are key in rebuilding your career and confidence; as well as reaching your full potential and living a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.”
*Not her real name.
FOR CAREERS IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR – FOODBEV SETA
The education, training and skills development partner for the culinary service sector is the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Training Authority, which is known in short as the FoodBev SETA. The FoodBev SETA’s seeks to promote, facilitate and reward companies that prioritise skills development in the food and beverages manufacturing sector. To this extent, the FoodBev SETA offers discretionary grants for companies that train staffers like Phalane, but the window period is currently closed for the 2021-22 financial year.
The FoodBev SETA also offers learning programmes that lead to occupations that are hard to fill in the food and beverages manufacturing sector.
Who can apply?
• FoodBev SETA levy-paying employers or companies;
• Non-levy paying employers or companies operating within the food and beverages manufacturing sector;
• Prospective beneficiaries who should be within the Food and Beverage manufacturing sector;
• Public Technical, Vocational Education and Training Colleges;
• Community Education and Training (CET) Colleges;
• Public Universities;
• Universities of Technology;
• Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as well as cooperatives.
The FoodBev SETA can be reached at 011 253 73 00 or at info@foodbev.co.za; or can be visited at 13 Autumn Street in Rivonia, Johannesburg.
