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I graduated college with a degree in IT back in December of 2007. I landed a very good job directly out of college but was laid off in November 2008. After that, I quickly found another job, though it paid MUCH less than my initial job out of college. I went into that job with a bad attitude that unfortunately translated into bad work habits, and I ended up getting fired in September 2009. Not only was that firing the death blow to my career, it also coincided with several other very traumatic events in my life. Now it is a year and a half later and I just can't move on. I have been at my current job, which is not career related and pays even less, for a year and a half, and I am so paranoid about being fired or laid off that it is driving me crazy. I am continuously analyzing everything at work looking for some clue that the pink slip may be around the corner. I am wondering if this has become irrational paranoia, or if I am right to be this worried as bad as the economy is right now. Anybody else ever been in this situation and if so, how did you move on?
If you feel confident that you are doing everything to do your work effectively and responsibly, there shouldn't be any reason to be fixated on getting laid off. I assume because you are really worried, you've probably updated your resume, tried to save as much as possible, and are on the lookout for promising opportunities- which are all productive ways to ensure you won't be sent into chaos if that were to happen.
I understand that the economy is not reassuring, but if you are doing your best at work getting laid off is something out of your control (and so worrying about its potentiality can mean energy wasted and a harmful and unproductive source of stress).
It sounds like you've developed considerable anxiety (and who wouldn't after your experiences). If it's interfering with your thoughts and preventing you from being able to enjoy yourself, or if worrying about getting laid off is actually negatively affecting your work, I would suggest talking to someone about it. If you are unfamiliar with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), look it up. Go talk to someone that does CBT or talk therapy.
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