A Heartfelt Plea :
Please Do Not Assume Your Job Is Safe
Job security is history. And globally, the job market is in crisis, but there is plenty you can do to survive and thrive.
This article looks at what I have learnt about planning for success in uncertain times, and how to implement the strategies that I have found to work in your life.
Planning for Success
This is for everyone
Tech companies and their employees may be feeling safe because we all need their services now. But remember, in an already crowded supply sector, others are turning their attention to the same thing. Younger, agile, disruptive entities are innovating like crazy to steal a march on the market and garner attention.
Don't let the feeling of powerless overwhelm you
When circumstances change, or a job loss occurs, the overwhelming feeling is often one of powerlessness. Please don’t let that be you.
No, it wasn’t you who decimated the market. Nor was it you who made the services on offer redundant. And it wasn’t you who completely mishandled everything so that the mess you are now in ensued.
You are right. But don’t bother wasting energy on looking for someone else to blame. If such a one does exist, chances are they’ve long gone or covered their tracks.
To be blunt, you are no-one else’s responsibility. The only person responsible for your wellbeing is YOU. And it is up to you to make things happen, so you can survive and thrive.
Rather than waiting around until the axe falls, or our topsy turvy, turbulent world moves all the boundaries on us again, now is your time to start planning. These need not be plans that you want to enact or, hopefully, ever need to, but you do need to plan NOW.
Plans B, C and D
In a previous article, I have written about planning for the future. That post touched on the main crux of this one, in considering alternative realities for yourself.
My longevity (long may it continue) has been primarily down to always having a plan B, C, and D (if not more). When I develop each of these plans, I do so with different scenarios in mind. So, while I may not be able to predict what will shortly happen, I will be able to hone at least one of my alternatives to fit my new circumstances.
It was this methodology that had me up and running again within 24 hours of the national lockdown being first announced. I didn’t worry about what the State might or might not be able to do to help me. (Just as well – I checked later, and I fell through every single loophole, so there was no help available to me.) Instead, I accepted that my immediate survival was down to me, and I had better shift gears pretty darn quickly.
Within this type of planning, be prepared to consider the unpalatable. In my past, I have had some very menial roles. And I was quite ready – having researched, prepped, and maintained avenues – to step back into these roles if necessary.
Financially, at any given time, I am always aware of what debts I have and what assets I can offset against them, both personally and professionally. I have a list drawn up of all the contacts I would need to get in touch with should things get desperate. As an ex-financial adviser, I know that going directly to a supplier, or utility or mortgage company ahead of a problem arising will often create options. Leaving it until the problem materialises tends to end less well.
Pride swallowing
Enacting a plan other than A and B often requires a certain amount of pride swallowing, and this needs factoring in. By doing this ahead of time, I have found it much easier to push pride to one side if push comes to shove.
Emotional and practical self-sufficiency is all well and good, but do not let this blind you to knowing when and how to ask for help from others. Of course, it may turn out that some are in the same boat and can not assist, but others may be able to. And because your subconscious has already dealt with the embarrassment, your pride does not get in your way.
Grab your power
I am a self-employed sole trader (the rest of my team are virtual consultants), I am single, and I have no children – and this is why I am lean enough to change quickly. Even so, I always have my plans in place and ready to go.
The chances are, you have more responsibilities than I, or perhaps you are not in an occupation where you can steer your own fate.
And this is why I am saying:
Grab your power and use it to make several plans for yourself, so that if the worst happens, that feeling of powerlessness and inaction will find no place in you to take root.
In my work as a leadership trainer and international speaker (now online as well as offline), I help individuals and businesses plan for the future, so they can move forward and overcome challenges with confidence, strength, and compassion. To discuss how I can assist you, contact me here.
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