I hoped to get fired, then I sabotaged my own plan

To work or to take a break?

For over a year, I have been hoping, wishing, that my company would let me go. To be clear, being fired comes with a certain severance packge, and I was so ready to take the money and take a break from the corporate life.

I told everyone I met with pride — yes I’m working as a product manager now, but I hope to seen be unemployed.

You see, being unemployed in Europe also comes with its perks. In Germany, this means unemployment money for 12 months, free job coaching and even vouchers to take skill advanced courses. You also get a discount on most tickets purchaes — museums, concerts, adult school courses.

I was dying to be umeployment. To explore my passions with “free” money (ok, I paid into the unemployment fund, so I’m really just getting my money back?). It would not cover my full salary, but still, the allure of free time + some income is irresistible.

Performance Improvement

And then, I got put into performance improvement at work — the first step to being let go.

It came earlier than I expected, there was a tinge of unfairness, but it’s what I wanted, so I quickly adjusted to feeling anticipation. I could almost taste my freedom.