How To Survive The Layoff Epidemic
Why agency is the single most useful skill to develop in 2025.
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Volvo Cars just announced its plan to lay off 3000 employees and consultants.
And my team has already been affected by this decision.
Last Wednesday, we walked into a meeting room just to hear the news first-hand from our manager:
“By the end of June, Emily and Natalia won’t be here with us“.
You know what’s worse?
Emily is pregnant.
Natalia just moved to Sweden, searching for “a career breakthrough“.
And none of them expected this decision to take effect so quickly.
It’s a reality we need to face sooner or later.
Even if you are the most competent professional, you are not safe from layoffs.
Because most times, layoffs don’t follow what we would consider “logical decisions“.
They might make sense for the higher-ups trying to cut expenses to keep their companies afloat.
But for the common engineer, these decisions just mean going through the stress of job hunting and second-guessing their competence in an increasingly demanding job market.
It feels unfair.
Why would they fire me if I’m doing my job right?
Why are they calling me “redundant“?
Why is he staying when I’ve been here for longer?
Chances are, you or someone close to you has been involved in a recent massive layoff.
Sadly, this will continue to happen.
And the way I see it, there’s only one way to become immune to it and future-proof your career.
If you want to survive the layoff epidemic, you must become a high-agency individual.
This means stop asking for permission and start building something of your own.
It means obsessing over it.
Brainstorming every day.
Trying things out and developing the taste to detect what works and what doesn’t, so you can pivot or stay on the same track.
Because there has never been a better time to become an entrepreneur.
Remember, you already have the technical skills.
You just need to start, collect feedback, and iterate.
And you have to do this until something finally sticks.
I don’t have everything figured out either.
I still work my 9-to-5 because it is my main source of income at the moment.
And I will use it as a way to pay for my groceries while I build something of my own.
Before you go, I’ll let you in on a secret:
On January 1st, 2025, I changed my mindset regarding writing online.
I stopped treating it as a hobby and decided to make it the vehicle to a life I love, supported by work I enjoy.
I’ve connected with people I wouldn’t have otherwise.
I’ve increased the rate at which interesting projects fall into my hands.
And I’m averaging $680/month just from showing up every day.
Without a clear plan. Without a “quarterly strategy”. But also without anyone dictating what I have to do.
I have control, for the most part, of the time I dedicate to my writing.
I have the freedom, for the most part, to choose where I want to spend my mornings, or my afternoons, or my weekends.
And yes, I know… $680/month is not a flashy number.
I still make more money from working my 9-to-5.
But the trend is clear: if I keep showing up, writing every day, and providing value, I will carve my way to freedom.
And so can you.
Thanks for reading.
— Alberto
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Good decision. Go ahead.