The famous British author W. Somerset Maugham liked to tell this story about a young priest of St. Peter’s Church in London, who after discovering that the church’s janitor was illiterate, fired him.

Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop where he immediately prospered. He then bought another shop, then another and still another, until he owned a large chain of tobacco stores all over Britain.

One day, he dined in a fancy private club with his banker, who stated, “You have done quite well for an illiterate man. I wonder where you would be today if you could read and write.”

“That’s easy,” replied the man, “I’d still be the janitor in St. Peter’s Church in Neville Square.”

The world is full of stories of people who were fired and landed on their feet. Mozart was fired as a musician in the court of the prince-archbishop of Salzburg. Oprah Winfrey lost her job as a news reporter at a Baltimore TV station when her producer thought she was a poor fit for her job. Walt Disney was fired as a cartoonist by the Kansas City Star newspaper because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”

I interviewed and featured 29 famous Americans in my book “We Got Fired! ... And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us.” Since my book, I have discovered many other highly successful people who were fired and landed on their feet.

For example, Anna Wintour, best known as the editor of Vogue magazine, was fired from her junior level editorial role at Harper’s Bazaar. She now tells students that she believes everyone should get fired if they really want to grow.

Billionaire “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban was sharing an apartment with five buddies and working as a salesman at a computer store in the early 1980s when he was fired. From that point on, he knew he never wanted to work for anyone else and started his own company, MicroSolutions, which he sold for $6 million to CompuServe. The rest is history.

Sallie Krawcheck is one of the most powerful women on Wall Street and the founder of Ellevate Network (formerly 85 Broads), following her ouster as head of Merrill Lynch’s global wealth management division in 2011. The firing helped her realize she needed to spend more time with her children. She said: “And, on the professional front, it taught me to look at business opportunities through the lens of the broader positive impact they can have, given the trade-offs we are forced to make in pursuing them.”

Being fired can often be a blessing in disguise, even though it might not seem like it. Here are several reasons why getting fired can be beneficial:

It's an opportunity for self-reflection. When you lose a job, it forces you to take a step back and evaluate your career path, skills and goals. This self-reflection can lead to valuable insights about what you truly want and where your strengths lie.

It can be a push to pursue passions. Many people, like J.K. Rowling and Ray Kroc, discovered their true passions and achieved remarkable success after being fired. Losing a job can be the catalyst that pushes you to pursue what you genuinely love.

It can lead to learning and growth. Being fired can teach resilience and adaptability. It often requires you to develop new skills and perspectives, which can be invaluable in your future endeavors.

It makes way for new opportunities. Sometimes, being fired can open doors to new and better opportunities that you might not have considered otherwise. Michael Bloomberg, for instance, went on to build a financial information empire after being let go from Salomon Brothers.

It can strengthen values. Dr. Bernadine Healy, former president of the American Red Cross, believed that being fired can challenge you to examine your fortitude and commitment to your values.

It builds resilience. The experience of being fired and bouncing back can teach you how to handle rejection, manage uncertainty and keep moving forward despite setbacks.

It can expand your network and connections. Often, the process of finding a new job after being fired can lead to expanding your professional network. New connections can bring fresh opportunities and insights that you wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

It promotes personal growth. The emotional and psychological journey of recovering from being fired can lead to significant personal growth. It can help you develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence in your ability to overcome challenges.

Mackay's Moral: Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to be pushed out of your comfort zone.

A mouse who lived near a farmhouse saw the farmer set a mousetrap one day. Terrified, he ran outside shouting, “Help! Help! There’s a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken didn’t care. “I never go into the house, so why should I worry?”

The lamb said, “It’s not my concern.”

The cow said, “There’s nothing I can do.”

One night a venomous snake slithered in the house and got its tail caught in the trap. When the farmer’s wife went to see what happened, she got bit. She developed a high fever, so the farmer decided to make her some chicken soup, and soon the chicken was gone.

Neighbors came to visit and had to be fed, so the farmer served them lamb.

Sadly, the farmer’s wife died, and the farmer had to sell his cow to the butcher to cover the funeral expenses.

So, the next time you think someone else’s problem doesn’t affect you -- maybe it does.

When it comes to dealing with general business problems, the key is to have a systematic approach. The first step is to identify the problem. You need to drill down to the root cause of the issue. Is it a dip in sales, a product quality concern, or something else? Understanding the core problem is the first step to finding a solution.

I have a philosophy that I learned from a loyal reader years ago. Before anyone comes to me with a problem or concern, I want them to give the issue some thought and come up with some reasonable solutions on their own. This is way better than just handing the problem over to me.

This is such an empowering concept! It should change your thought process completely. What a great way to encourage creative solutions.

Then you can generate a list of solutions. Allow yourself and your team to brainstorm freely. No idea is too outlandish at this stage, because creativity can spark viable solutions. Encourage open-mindedness and consider all suggestions.

Next, narrow down the solutions and evaluate the ideas based on feasibility, cost, impact and alignment with your business goals. Trim the list to the most promising one or two solutions.

Now it is time to take action and develop a plan to implement the chosen solution(s). Consider what resources you will need, identify potential obstacles and prepare contingency plans.

Finally, evaluate the outcome. Did the solution work? Can it be sustained and improved? Learn from this process to handle future problems more effectively. Problem-solving is a repetitive process. It is about being proactive, adaptable and continuously learning.

Your attitude toward problems determines your ability to overcome them; approach them with optimism and unwavering belief. Every problem has a solution, but it takes a clear head and a sharp mind to find it. Keep your eyes on the goal, and don’t let the problem cloud your vision.

Here’s a suggestion that I heard years ago. Instead of lamenting “What now?” turn your thinking into “What next?” In other words, how can I turn this problem into a terrific opportunity? Look beyond the temporary hiccup and think not only about how your solution will remedy the problem but also what you can do to prevent a future issue. Don’t be surprised if you wonder why you didn’t do it before.

Problem solving is not easy, so don’t make it harder than it is. Running away from your problems is a race you will never win. Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution.

Mountains are meant to be climbed. Wounds are meant to be healed, and problems are meant to become learning experiences. They all serve a purpose. They make us stronger mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Mackay’s Moral: The best way to escape your problems is to solve them.

A woman working in a meatpacking plant went into the freezer toward the end of her shift one day. Unexpectedly the door closed and locked, trapping her inside.

She yelled and pounded on the door, but no one heard her. She sank down on the floor shivering, wondering if she was going to freeze to death before anyone found her.

Five hours later, the door opened. A security guard found her almost unconscious and carried her to safety. When she had recovered, she thanked the guard and then asked what had made him go into the freezer, when it wasn’t part of his usual routine.

The guard said: “I’ve been working at this factory for 35 years, and hundreds of people come in and out every day, but you are one of the few who say hello in the morning and goodbye at night. Last night I realized that I didn’t hear you say, ‘Good night, see you tomorrow.’ That made me worry, so I started looking for you.”

Simple gestures can have a really big impact.

In my career, I have found that simple gestures and a series of helpful actions can have a significant impact on making others happy in business.

For example, I had a customer who had a critical deadline. Due to an unforeseen issue, we were at risk of not meeting this deadline, which would have had severe consequences for their business. Understanding the gravity of the situation, I decided to take action. I personally oversaw the production and delivery of their envelope order, ensuring it was expedited. We worked through the night, and I even accompanied the delivery to guarantee it arrived on time. The relief and gratitude from the client were palpable. That single gesture of going above and beyond not only made them happy but also cemented our relationship for years to come.

On another occasion, I focused on the happiness of our employees, knowing that their satisfaction would translate into better service for our clients. I initiated a series of actions, including regular recognition for outstanding work, team-building events and an open-door policy for feedback and suggestions. Over time, these actions created a positive work culture where employees felt valued and happy. This, in turn, led to increased productivity and better customer service, which made our clients happy as well. It was a win-win situation.

One way I try to make people happy is showing a genuine interest in what others have to say. Listening is a powerful gesture to make someone feel valued and understood. Offering compliments or sincere praise can brighten anyone’s day. Recognize and appreciate the good in others. Offer to help without expecting anything in return. Acts of kindness can have a ripple effect on happiness.

Recognize the efforts of your colleagues. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in making someone feel appreciated. Foster a positive work culture by encouraging teamwork, celebrating successes and creating an environment where everyone feels included and valued.

Get involved in community service. Helping those in need can bring joy to both you and the recipients of your efforts. Research suggests that giving to others can enhance your own happiness as well as theirs.

Smile. A smile is contagious and can instantly lift the mood of those around you. Share positive news and uplifting stories. Positivity can be infectious and can help create a happier environment.

Practice patience. Being patient with others, especially when they are facing challenges, can help ease their stress and contribute to a happier atmosphere.

The impact of your actions on others’ happiness can be profound, and often, it is the small gestures that count the most. Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give. Giving to others is not just a duty, it is a joy, for it increases your own health and happiness.