This week, over 14,000 Amazonians were laid off. So this week I wanted to touch on the topic of transitions, because when a job is gone so abruptly you are losing more than a job, you may be losing part of your identity. Whether you're facing a layoff, a career pivot, or just starting to feel the itch for something different... this one’s for you.

There’s something profoundly disorienting about leaving a company that’s become part of your identity. I’ve been there (twice). But I’ve also learned that what comes next can be even more defining.

Tip of the Week: Living a job you like might feel like an ending, but it’s often the start of your most authentic work. This is the moment to reset, realign, and rebuild.

Side Note: Building a career strategy is powerful, but it only works if your systems support it. If you’re still buried under Slack pings, meetings, and thousands of unread emails, clarity won’t stick. That’s not a motivation problem; it’s a systems problem.

That’s exactly what I built the Effective Workload Management Systems course to solve. It helps you reset how you manage your time, say “no” with confidence, and focus on what truly aligns with your roadmap. It’s been battle-tested by over 70,000 Amazonians, and this latest version is the strongest yet. Check it out.

The Theory Behind

Growth comes after the fall. Psychologists call it post-traumatic growth: the idea that after major setbacks, many of us experience an increase in appreciation for life, new possibilities, and deeper personal strength. Combined with Nassim Taleb’s concept of antifragility (systems that improve under stress) we begin to see the potential: a career shake-up doesn’t just test us, it can actually upgrade us.

Find your way back to your Zone of Genius. In The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, he differentiates between the Zone of Excellence (what we’re good at) and the Zone of Genius (what lights us up). The danger of high-performing careers is we often get stuck in what we're good at and rewarded for. A layoff or pivot can finally crack the shell. It can be the perfect time to ask: what are you uniquely built to do?

Liminal space is where identity re-forms. Anthropologists use the term liminal to describe thresholds (moments where we’re between roles, titles, or identities). After a layoff, we no longer say “I work at [X],” but we don’t yet know what comes next. These spaces are uncomfortable, but also full of possibility. In Transitions by William Bridges, he reminds us that it’s in this in-between (after the end of something but before the start of the next thing) that transformation happens.

What I’ve Learned

You’ll notice the silence when the brand name disappears. When I left Amazon, it surprised me how much of my confidence was tied to the logo on my badge. At kids’ birthday parties or networking events, I used to say “Amazon” or “P&G,” and immediately get nods of approval. Then suddenly, that shorthand was gone. It was humbling. But it also forced me to figure out what I stood for without the corporate identity. Think about how much of your personality is tied to your company and try to build a backup plan.

Transitions are a great chance to do many things... but you shouldn't actually try to do everything. If you’re job searching after years inside a big org, you’ve likely touched many domains. But “I can do anything” rarely lands. In this market, clarity cuts through noise. Start narrowing. Reconnect with people, ask better questions, and define your next play. Don’t panic-apply. Be strategic, not scattered.

Make It Happen

1. Sit with the Space: Transitions start with endings. Don’t rush to fill the gap... reflect. This “in-between” time is where new clarity begins.

2. Find the Growth: Hard moments often lead to new priorities. What did this shake-up make you realize - about yourself, your work, your goals?

3. Return to Your Genius: Forget “what you’re good at.” Focus on what energizes you. That’s your Zone of Genius - aim for it now (fully or partially).

4. Ask for Insight, Not Jobs: Instead of “Do you know of roles?”, ask: “What paths might I explore?” Conversations > applications.

5. Tell a Clearer Story: You’re more than your last title. Craft one sentence on what you bring and where you’re going.

6. Stack Small Wins: A few weekly goals (e.g. messages sent, ideas sketched) help rebuild momentum fast.

7. Choose with Intention: Don’t just rebound. Pick a next step that aligns with your values, skills, and future self.

If you know someone who was impacted and may not get this email anymore, feel free to forward it using your referral link below. Let’s help them stay connected.

Wishing you a spooky (and supportive) Halloween,

Jorge Luis Pando

Say hi 👋 on LinkedIn or YouTube

PS: Wow, you made it all the way down here? You must really care about your personal development! Here are 3 ways I can help you grow even faster:

1. Get My Most Popular Course: Learn the exact system I’ve taught to 70,000+ professionals to take control of emails, meetings, and DMs, and reclaim 150+ hours in your year.

2. Join The Effective Collective: Our private membership is opening soon as invite-only. Get access to two best-seller courses, weekly coaching, and support to level up your performance without burning out.

3. Book Me for Coaching or a Workshop: Need help scaling yourself or your team? I offer 1:1 coaching and custom team sessions to help you work better, not harder.

Enjoying what you’re reading? Help a friend out… and you will win something for yourself too.