I run a high-performance peer-advisory group — a great bunch of people who know what they want and know how to get it. The other day, one member recognized that everyone around the table 'survived' the past recession and are still in business. Some were still skeptical that the recession was over, but most agreed that tough times were behind us. Then one person said, "And this is the time to go for the gold. To think big. To take our businesses where we want them to go before the rest of the marketplace gets wise and catches up."
Do You Have The Girlfriend Effect?
Do You Have A Career "Plan B"?
You just missed the last recession, hopefully things are getting better. You're getting quite adept at dodging the executioner's axe — ducking at the last minute while watching fellow peers are summarily dismissed. Are you talented or just lucky? At my last corporate gig, I managed to have seven bosses in six years. Six LONG years.
10 Ways To Stop Worrying About Your Job.
It's still tough out there.
You probably know at least one person who is unemployed (maybe more). And life in a company is a very lonely place when everyone is out for themselves (and worrying about their jobs).
So what do you do? Here are some tips to help you get past worrying and start moving forward:
- Stay in the Present. Worrying projects your thinking in the future and you really can't do much about that. Focus on what is happening to you right NOW.
- 80/20 Your Projects. Figure out all things you do at your job — dump the ones that are low-priority and won't give you any visibility. Focus on the ones that your boss really appreciates and will give you broad exposure.
- Be Your Boss' Best Friend. I'm not saying you should suck up (although that doesn't hurt), but be positive, be a good friend, listen, give good feedback, ask great questions. Be valuable to them.
- Keep Your Peripherals Moving. See who is doing what, where, when, why and how. Who has the mojo in the company. Who doesn't. I kept a file (at home) of what projects, people, and departments were doing.
- Connect. I can't say this enough (and I do frequently on this blog) — get out frequently and meet other colleagues to discuss business and marketplace issues. A broader vision outside of work is refreshing, motivational, and inspiring.
- Don't Partake In Gossip. The office soap opera is a time-waster. Of course keep your ears open for factual happenings, but don't give into what-if's, innuendo, and flights of fancy.
- Stay Away From The Media. Stop reading newspapers, watching TV news, and surfing news sites. Let's be honest — the only reason why they are still in business is because they sensationalize and titillate to get your attention and spread fear, doubt and uncertainty.
- Keep Your Options Open. Always have a "Plan B" waiting in the wings — it might be a number of key contacts, a position that is waiting for you, a company that is just starting out. If you don't have that, go back to #5.
- Focus On The Positive. Be enthusiastic, motivational, and a force for change at your company. Come up with new ideas, new processes, new efficiencies and present them to anyone who will hear.
- Worrying Never Helped Anyone. Spend your time building your strengths, developing solid connections in and out of your company, and plan for the future of your career.
Don't waste time worrying — you have a LOT to do . . . So start TODAY!
P.S. If you would like to read a great book on this topic — this is the one! It's the bible and it's helped me many times.
Change Is Like A Locomotive Rocketing Down The Tracks.
3 Ways To Successfully Attain Any Goal In Life.
3 Ways To Grow Your Business . . . Today.
I work with a LOT of companies. Solopreneurs. Small Businesses. Large Businesses. Corporations. Across the entire spectrum of the marketplace, I see three standard rules that make companies successful. How they service their clients everyday. How they incrementally grow by making the right decisions and recovering quickly from the wrong ones.
Are You In A Slump At Work? (My WSJ Article)
A Powerful Sunday Message.
Are You Throwing Happiness Out The Window?
The Best Kept Business Secret To Success.
How To Connect With Key People.
Why I'm Not Surprised You Got Fired.
What Are You Afraid Of . . . Failure Or Success?
Accelerate Your Job Search - Sales vs. Replenishment.
Three Major Mistakes Many C-Level Executives Make.
Look, your job is hard. Probably one of the hardest in your company. But then again, you are the best and most highly decorated/compensated employee too. But you're human and sometimes it hard to lead and execute perfectly. Over the past 10 years of advising C-Level executives, here are three of the more frequent mistakes made in your day-to-day endeavors running the whole 'lemonade stand':