Fire Me Already!

During his media blitz over the weekend, President Obama said the unemployment numbers may get worse this year and not improve until sometime in 2010. While most Americans probably felt their chests tighten a bit, the prospect of being jobless may actually appeal to a few people. Here’s why:

1.    Overworked and Overstressed

Those who have survived the recession so far with their jobs intact must feel privileged, but right behind that feeling is exhaustion. Studies at the beginning of the economic downturn indicated that the average American worker was putting in longer hours than the year before.  And things have only gotten worse as the year has gone on.  The American Institute of Stress recently declared Americans are experiencing “Recession Adrenaline.”  Those who have jobs are working more for the same or less money, fearing they might lose their positions otherwise.

So rather than burn yourself out with a 60-hour work week, is it time to channel that energy in a new direction?

2.    Take that Big Step

Drew Weinstein worked in finance for several years, first at Bank of America (Stock Quote: BAC) and later at Cowen & Co (Stock Quote: COWN) as a medical technology analyst before being laid off in October 2008. Rather than mope around, he decided to take it as a sign to create his own dream workplace. He is now raising capital for Magellanic, his craft beer company.

More aspiring entrepreneurs find success during recessions. According to one study, more than 50% of the businesses on Forbes 500 list were founded in tough economic periods.  “A downturn might actually act as an extra spur to founding a new company, if the founders perceive that their prospective competition might be weakened,” the report states.

If you’ve been suffering for a while in your job and were recently laid off, why not create the business you’d like to work for, or seek out your ideal position in the growing number of startups.