Holiday layoffs always show up. But this time it's different.
This time there's one more tool to keep it from becoming devastating. Fractional work.
In the past few months, a wave of layoffs has hit the U.S. economy. 57,000 people—that’s the latest figure—have been told their jobs are gone. For most of us, that number is hard to wrap our heads around. But let’s break it down: 57,000 isn’t just a statistic—it’s 57,000 people.
For every one of those workers, life just changed overnight. A job that was more than just income—it was stability, a rhythm to daily life, and a source of identity—is suddenly gone. In its place? Shock, uncertainty, and a lot of questions.
And beyond the individual impact, there’s the cost to the economy. If those 57,000 people remain unemployed for longer than 12 weeks, here’s what it looks like:
Add it all up, and the total extended cost to the U.S. economy easily surpasses $4–6 billion. And that’s not even counting the emotional and societal costs—like stress, strained relationships, and lost confidence.
A Different Path: The Opportunity of Fractional Work
But here’s the other side of the story. Because the 57,000 people who were laid off? They’re not just workers. They’re professionals with skills, connections, wisdom, and experience—the very things businesses need.
What if, instead of waiting for a perfect full-time role, they turned independent? Taking on Fractional Work? Starting their own thing? Carrying their own load rather than going back into what just burned them? That’s a different calculus.
Imagine this: if each of those professionals chose the Fractional path and found three clients, each paying them $7,000 a month. Instead of one employer, they work fractional roles—high-impact, flexible engagements that allow them to share their expertise with multiple businesses.
Here’s what happens when they take this path:
Instead of prolonged economic strain, we see stability. Instead of reduced consumer spending, we see recovery. Instead of families losing homes, we see mortgages paid and futures rebuilt.
The Power of Both Truths
Two things can be true at once:
Going independent, (Fractional and such) provides a bridge between those two truths. It’s not just a stopgap—it’s a strategy. It’s a way for professionals to turn their skills into income, independence, and impact. And it’s a way for businesses to tap into high-level talent without the overhead of full-time roles.
$+6B > -$6B
The Math Difference: Layoffs vs. Fractional Work
Net Gain when laid-off professionals embrace Fractional Work: $6.2 billion.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Fractional work doesn’t just offset the pain of layoffs—it flips the script, turning an economic drain into a massive opportunity for individuals, families, and the economy. It’s a tangible path forward that benefits everyone.
Independence and Self-Sovereignty: A Natural Path
For most of human history, independence—self-sovereignty—was the norm. People built livelihoods through their own skills, trades, and networks. The modern idea of long-term, full-time employment with a single company is, historically speaking, the exception, not the rule.
Choosing independence isn’t a fallback—it’s a return to something natural. It’s a chance to reclaim control, align work with personal values, and design a life on your own terms.
A Vision for the Future
To those 57,000 people: Your life has changed, but so has your opportunity. You are not at the end of something—you are at the beginning of a new way of working and living.
This is about more than Fractional Work. This is about freedom—the freedom to dream bigger, to explore what’s possible, and to shape a life of your own design.
What if you started the business you’ve always imagined? What if you began teaching at a local college or trade school, passing your wisdom to the next generation? What if you wrote the book that’s been living in your heart for years? What if you launched a home healthcare company that supports families like yours?
Freedom isn’t just about survival—it’s about opportunity. When you embrace independence, you don’t just find a new job—you build something new. Something better. Something that belongs to you.
You have the skills, the experience, and the power to create. Whether that’s through Fractional Work, a small business, or any other dream you’ve been holding onto, now is the time.
Freedom: A Return to What’s Natural
This is your moment to step into what’s next—to return to something natural. For centuries, people built lives through their own ingenuity, skills, and determination. This is a chance to do the same.
To the 57,000 and beyond: Your skills still matter. Your experience is still in demand. And your opportunity? It’s bigger than you realize.
Freedom is not just possible—it’s yours for the taking. It’s good for you. It’s good for families. It’s good for America.
Dare to Imagine
Some will say this is just a pipe dream. Maybe. But what if it’s not? What if, by daring to imagine, you create something extraordinary? What if you step out, take the risk, and think about life differently? Isn’t it worth exploring?
Because here’s the truth: the only way we build what’s next is to believe it’s possible.
To the 57,000 and beyond: Your skills still matter. Your experience is still in demand. And your opportunity? It’s bigger than you realize.
Freedom is not just possible—it’s yours for the taking. It’s good for you. It’s good for families. And it’s good for America.
Go Fractional,
John
#DareToImagine #FractionalWork #NewBeginnings #FreedomToCreate #SelfSovereignty #FutureOfWork #RebuildRedesign #SkillsInDemand #EconomicOpportunity #GoodForAmerica
Consultant - Business + Technology alignment
1moExcellent rationale John! This really is a win-win!