Schematic illustration of a triangle with the text labeled, Financial Matters. An illustration of text reads, Embrace the unpredictable and unexpected.

The next day, the Client found himself in his home office. The Pandemic Palace, his wife called it. He sat, staring at the familiar desk and camera, crowned by the ring light that rarely got used anymore.

He had just read through the terms of the separation agreement when his phone chirped.

He looked down to see a text message from the Coach.

Snapshot of a text message from the Coach.

In a second a picture came through via text:

Snapshot of a second picture message came through via text.

The Client started to text, then stopped and hit the call button.

When the Coach picked up, he said, “I need your help.”

With his elbows on the desk and the phone cupped to his face, the Client related all recent events. The Coach listened.

“Now I've just reviewed the severance package,” the Client said, “and I am not sure what to do. They gave me eight weeks’ salary and three months of insurance benefits. After nearly ten years with the firm!” The Coach suspected it was more like eight or nine years, tops. After some gentle prodding, the Client confessed that it was nine years and one month. A week for every year of service was standard issue; some might even call it generous, when a company ...

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