You are not a failure. And you are not a failure in your field. You are engaging in an automatic negative thought processes, two of them actually, called Generalizing and Labeling.

You're generalizing that because of one situation that it means you're a failure, instead of looking at ALL the evidence and facts that speak to the contrary.

You're labeling yourself a failure in one fell swoop instead of looking at everything else you've got going for you.

I'm going to diverge for just a second: I had two bad jobs in a row, the one I left when I got sick and the one I just got fired from. That's like 7 years of my life that I could call myself a failure for. But I don't because I recognize that in that time I did really good work, even though in the end, I had to leave one job for my health and being forced out, and in the last one, I got fired. But does that mean I was a failure at the job? Heck no! It means that it wasn't the right fit, for whatever reason. I didn't fit in that office environment or it was an unhealthy environment or I didn't get along with the co-workers (not in an unprofessional way just personality clash).

So let's look at the evidence. You got a new manager for your team at work. This person has decided to cut your hours and change things. That is the story as old as time. Every new manager comes in and decides that they want to overhaul systems or bring in their people or whatever. You are assuming you know why they cut your hours when you don't, because you can't read that person's mind.

Not being the new manager's favorite or chosen one does not make you a failure.

So you've been looking for new work for a year and haven't found it yet. YET. That's the operative word there. I've been looking for a new job since before I was fired. So yeah, it's been about a year for me too, and I haven't been hired full-time either. Do I think it makes me a failure? No sir-ee. I have written down all the things I have achieved for my freelance clients, even in this short period of time, and I am good at what I do and not a failure.

I know it's tough to stay positive. And I know even hearing the words "Stay positive" makes you want to reach through the screen and punch me. (I want to punch myself saying it.) But if you allow negative thought processes to take over, they will. You'll dig yourself into a pit of despair that you can't climb out of.

I am sure you are good at what you do. Maybe it's time to take a step back and look at other professions or look at becoming a consultant yourself.

For example, you run a blog that you've received a lot of compliments on...maybe look at something in the writing field.

Also, check out UpWork.com and Freelancer.com. There are other freelance communities out there. If you feel like hustling, you could absolutely find work, and also, get repeat clients.

One of my repeat ongoing clients came from UpWork and she has been awesome to work with. I make about $500 a month from her. (Be careful on Freelancer.com, I literally just spent an hour dealing with a customer support issue with them.)

You are not a failure. One year of your life doesn't make you a failure. One job does not make you a failure. You haven't failed at your job because you can't find a new one, you just haven't found one yet.

And you're not a failure if you choose to change gears. You're smart if you recognize challenges and choose to address them by opening your horizons and looking for more opportunities.

How you feel about yourself is all in how you frame it.

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