What Getting Fired Has Taught Me

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Recently, I was fired from my partnership with a certain fitness company.

I won’t say their name.

They don’t deserve the clout.

But I share this because life happens.

However, it’s a good thing.

Good and bad are only matters of perspective.

When others get fired or lose a partnership, they panic.

When I lose a partnership, I rejoice.

I rejoice because I’ve freed up more time to work on other things that are important.

I’ve also learned that as one door closes, another door opens.

Years ago, I worked at a store as a suit salesman.

I didn’t get a commission. And the pay was terrible.

Still, I was extremely loyal (this is part of who I am as an individual — even when it’s not in my best interests).

To help make the store an additional sale, I convinced my friend to shop with us. Our clothing is expensive but I gave him a 15% discount to sweeten the deal (something that many employees do if a customer is on the fence).

He budged. And, as a result, he ended up buying a suit, several dress shirts, some ties, shoes, and a belt. It was, by far, our biggest sale of the week even with the discount.

My employer wasn’t happy. They didn’t understand that the $500-something dollars I earned for the business was better than the $0 they were going to get.

I was fired a few days later. It was the first time I ever made a mistake at this company. Prior to that, I was always on time, I always did extra work, I always stayed later than initially required, and I always went above and beyond despite not having any incentive to do so (because like I said, the pay was garbage).

But like I said, as one door closes, another opens.

A week later, I landed a new job at a law firm that tripled my pay, had benefits, gave me a nearly $20,000 bonus, and was much easier and more consistent income (because I got paid a salary instead of hourly).

To be honest, despite the massive life boost the law firm would have provided, my loyalty would’ve likely kept me at the suit store. Like I said, I’m historically extremely loyal when I objectively know it’s not in my best interests.

A year later, the clothing company that fired me went bankrupt. I suppose their genius decision-making paid off for them.

(This is me being sarcastic).

Don’t be disappointed in the negatives. They’re almost always positives in disguise. Like a sweet piece of candy wrapped in an ugly wrapper.

Keep Conquering,

Levi