Kiss of Truth

Unemployment rates in the nation are above 7.6%! That is the highest since the early 70’s. That means that nearly eight out of every 100 people are out of work. That is an astounding number! Each and every day there are more reports of layoffs from the biggest – and seemingly most secure and solid – companies in the United States. And the number of unemployed continues to grow at an alarming pace. And like all accidents and life-changing events, it is not real until it happens to you! It is unwise to believe a layoff cannot happen to you. Be prepared by being proactive in making yourself more valuable to your employer; consider these five ways to increase the likelihood of keeping your job:

1) Do the Unexpected: Surprise your boss by going beyond the expectation level of your job. This takes conscious effort to add a little something extra each time you complete (or take on) a task, or accept a little more responsibility now and then. Will this increase the expectations your boss has of you? Perhaps, but it will definitely add to your value. Even the smallest of chores can make a direct difference: Clean up the break room, change the water bottle on the cooler, or straighten up the supply cabinet. You get the idea.

2) Read, Educate, Learn: Continuing your personal education is one of the best endeavors you can undertake in increasing your value in the workplace. Read a trade journal that relates to your work; read motivational materials; read self-help books; read a manual. Challenge yourself to read five sources of material related to your work industry every month. You never can tell how this material will be useful, but it nearly always gives you a distinct advantage.

3) Be a Mentor/Create a Mentor Program: Helping others is one of the best ways to help yourself. Take the initiative to create a mentoring program for your workplace, or simply pick someone less experienced, and become a mentor to that person. Encourage your peers to serve as mentors as well.

4) Find That “One Thing” That Can Make a Difference: Is there something at work that has interested you but you have not checked it out? Well, what are you waiting for?! Is there something at work that has always confused you, or that you do not understand? Again, what are you waiting for? Is there something constructive that you have thought about in the past that would be useful, or make everyone’s work easier? Do you have an idea that might just contribute in a new way? Write it out as a proposal, take it to a trusted and respected friend or coworker for more input, then fine-tune it and present it to your boss! Challenge yourself to come up with just “one thing” that you can take on, and make it your own! This will be most impressive!

5) Create and Achieve Your “Personal Resolutions”: Here are three steps you can take right now that will “re-invent” you into a more valuable asset to the company (and to yourself):

a. Think “Inside the Box”: Imagine you have just received a package from the sky and inside this awesome box was a listing of your interests, aptitudes, and skills. Imagine that also inside that box was a second list that applied those interests, aptitudes and skills, turning them into real and tangible actions and tasks that you could do. Imagine exactly what you would find in that box, and then make those two lists. For now, don’t concern yourself with editing the lists or being too critical; these lists were inside a box you mysteriously received that came from the sky…these were written by a higher power that knows you as well as you know yourself, so these lists are honest and clear.

b. Make New Goals: For this you will need complete solitude and quiet. Think of this as not merely writing goals, but think of this as a goal-setting workshop: this requires taking it in steps: 1) study the lists you have made; goals should be items that channel your interests, and make use of your particular aptitudes, and skills. Goals are not merely “what” you want to achieve”, but should include “why” you want each goal. Finally, don’t limit these goals to just your work; include new physical, social, and family goals, and so on, 2) put your goals down on paper and keep them with you, looking at them each and every day, 3) review and test each goal by asking: “Why do I want this goal and what will it give me? Have I indeed been completely honest and true? And 4) rewrite your goals as necessary and remain flexible in your approach.

c. Make a “Plan Of Action”: Setting goals means nothing without a plan to achieve them. Let’s take a simple and common example: You have a goal to get in shape and lose 20 pounds. That is an admirable goal, but it must have a separate Plan Of Action associated with it: “I will lose twenty pounds and get in shape by eating much smaller portions, eating healthy, low calorie snacks (like raisins), and doing aerobics and weight lifting for 30 minutes every weekday, taking the weekend off.” Your Plan Of Action is a detailed accounting of exactly HOW you will achieve your goals.

d. Keep These Goals Personal: Of course you may want to share with your significant other, or closest friend, but be careful: leave yourself room to be flexible and adjust your goals as necessary to achieve the correct goal using the correct plan of action. Also, being humble is great. It is much better to have people notice “the new you”, then to have talked about your goals beforehand, setting a given expectation. You – and nobody else – should be the judge and jury regarding how well you have made and achieved your goals.

We all know that ultimately there is no crystal ball that allows us to see what’s coming, and no certain magic that will prevent that pink slip. It makes excellent sense, however, to plan ahead and to be proactive in making yourself even more valuable to your employer. The time to protect yourself is right now, no time to waste.

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February 9th, 2009 | Tags: challenge, change, education, Flexibility, giving, goals, idea, interests, job loss, job security, keeing your job, keep your job, Motivation, nation, plan, protection, respect, responsibility, success, thought, unemployed, unemployment, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development |  Email This Post | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL