I believe most of us want this more than we are willing to admit, but fail to do what it takes to make it a reality.  I think most regular people have all but given up on finding true satisfaction in their jobs.  In fact, I’d say that we’ve sort of resigned ourselves to just being cogs in the machine.

Is this you?  If so, I want to encourage you.  I believe there is more.  I believe it is possible to transform your work no matter what you do into something more meaningful and rewarding.

Of course, this means you are going to have to make some changes and change can be uncomfortable.  It can even be a little scary.  Are you up for it? 

What alternative do you have?  The other option is to stay stuck where you are and just go through the motions every day.  Is that really the life you want?  I didn’t think so.

Two Work Scenarios for You to Consider

Let’s delve into this a little deeper.  I want you to see the options you have available more clearly.  Again, I understand that change is difficult so I want to help you make the choice necessary to transform your work life into something more rich and rewarding.  I want to give you some food for thought.  Let me paint a couple of pictures for you.

Work Scenario One

Tim works in the IT department at his company.  He shows up every day at exactly 8:00 and leaves at exactly 5:00 or maybe a few minutes before because he thinks no one really notices.  He does what he has to do, very seldom does he do more.  In his mind, work is work.  He gets it done and then goes home.  He doesn’t get into any trouble and he keeps to himself.

Tim’s role is help desk analyst.  He takes calls and fixes what’s broken.  To Tim, his job is boring, mundane and he feels like the people that call him are stupid severely technically challenged.  He knows this attitude spills over in the tone of his voice from time-to-time when talking to users, but he just can’t help it.  He’s fixed the same problem for the same people over and over again.  He wonders why they can’t just figure it out for themselves.

Tim dreads going into work each day.  He grumbles a lot while he’s there.  It is always the same old crap.  Yes, once in awhile, management tries to put a pretty new wrapper on the crap, but in the end it is still the same stuff. 

Tim does the minimum possible to comply with the wishes of management and the policies put forth, but that’s it.  He believes that if he keeps his nose clean he can just keep trudging along.

However, he feels like he’s underpaid and that his boss doesn’t appreciate all the potential he has to offer.  Tim feels stuck in a job that is repetitive and lacks challenge.  He can’t understand why his boss and the company leadership can’t see all he has to offer.  He feels certain he could do a much better job than his boss at running the department.  As far as Tim’s concerned, the guy’s pretty much a dweeb.

He’d look for another job somewhere else, but he has a family to feed and bills to pay.  He needs this job.  It is drudgery, but at least it is stable.

Work Scenario Two

Stephanie works for the same company as Tim.  She is also a help desk analyst.  However, Stephanie sees things a little differently.  She embraces this position as a jumping off platform for her career.

Stephanie typically puts in about the same number of hours as Tim, but she really cares about the users she serves.  She always has a smile on her face and seems happy to help. 

Stephanie likes to understand the projects the users are working on.  If a user is building a PowerPoint presentation for an important meeting, she will go the extra mile to help the user.  Stephanie even read some books about how to make presentations more persuasive and she shares what she’s learned with her colleagues as she’s answering their other questions.

Stephanie has stayed late more than once to make sure everything was ready for the next day.  She even calls the user after their meeting to follow-up and find out how everything turned out.

As a result, Stephanie has built many great relationships throughout the company.  People, including several executives, often call her direct line so they can specifically speak with her because they know she won’t make them feel stupid and that she really knows her stuff.  They feel Stephanie really helps them get their job done in a more timely fashion.

The help desk policy and procedures manual states that analysts shouldn’t accept calls for assistance on their direct line.  It also defines goals for keeping the duration of calls to a minimum.  Stephanie’s boss makes exceptions for Stephanie because she gets a lot of kudos from the higher ups which makes him look good.

Because of her positive attitude and approach to the job, Stephanie gets asked to be involved in a lot of special projects.  These projects add diversity to her work day and increase her job satisfaction.  Overall, Stephanie doesn’t want to remain a help desk analyst forever, but she’s happy and feels her efforts will pay off down the road.

Some Things to Ponder About These Work Scenarios

In every case, the linchpins among us are not the ones born with a magical talent.  No, they are people who have decided that a new kind of work is important, and trained themselves to do it.
~ Seth Godin, author of Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

Here are a few questions to think about regarding the two work scenarios above:

- Who gets more enjoyment and satisfaction from the same exact job?

- Who is more secure in their position?

- Who is going to get promoted sooner regardless of seniority?

- Who is more likely to get a raise?

- Who is more likely to get offered a better job somewhere else?

- Who are you more like, Tim or Stephanie?  (think about this and be honest!)

- What’s holding you back from being more like Stephanie?

Tim and Stephanie’s role at work right now might not be their dream job.  Their employer might not offer one of the best places to work.  Their boss might not be the best leader or career coach.  Still, Stephanie’s approach to the position is the most beneficial to Stephanie.  It makes the most of the situation for Stephanie and her employer.

- When will you start bringing your whole self to work?

I doubt Stephanie will remain in her current position for long.  She is going to get snatched up by somebody for a better position with more pay, perks and prizes.  Tim on the other hand is living a self-fulfilling prophecy.  His situation is likely going to get worse before it ever gets better.

If you want to improve your situation, then I’d recommend reading Seth Godin’s Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?  It will help you see your job in a whole new light.

Photo by akeg

People that please their boss are the ones that get raises, promotions and other perks.  Why?  Because the boss wants them to stay.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great things you can do to stand out from the crowd and it doesn’t even take that much effort.

In a sea of mediocrity, it is easy to float to the top!

How to Please Your Boss and Get More of What You Want

You can only get what you want, if you help enough other people get what they want.
~ Zig Ziglar

You should do your best to give all the bosses above you more of what they want.  If you put a smile on their face, you will almost certainly get more of what you want.

So, what exactly is it that they want?  Well, they want people that are self-motivated, take care of business and don’t cause trouble.  Of course, I’m going to offer a few more specifics.

One word of caution first, you must be genuine and authentic in implementing these strategies or they could backfire on you.  Do not use them to try to manipulate your boss!

Here are a dozen ways that you can please your boss daily:

1.  Ask their advice, use it, then thank them for it.

When you are working on a particularly difficult issue, ask your boss for their advice.  If you like what they suggest, then use it and be sure to follow-up with them later thanking them for helping you out.  The follow-up is crucial.  Your boss will love this approach!

2.  Say good things about your boss to others.

What you say about your boss influences your thinking about him/her and will ultimately impact the way you interact with them.  Talk your boss up to other people.  This will keep your attitude positive and it certainly can’t hurt if your boss hears you are saying good things about them.

3.  Readily accept opportunities to learn and grow in your job.

When you are offered the opportunity to learn something new, go for it!  Don’t hesitate for a moment.  The more knowledge and skill you have, the more valuable you become.  I’ve heard some people say, “Why should I do this if I’m not going to get paid more for it?”  This is very shortsighted thinking.

4.  Show up every day ready to give it your best.

Come to work ready to do what needs to be done.  Be rested and alert!  Have your game face on.  Don’t just sit there like a bump on a log!  A boss needs people that they can count on.  Be that person and you will definitely put a smile on their face.

5.  Arrive to work early.

Coming in early says that you are committed and ambitious.  It conveys the message that you are willing to put forth extra effort to achieve great things.  Your boss will notice.  If you are the first person they see every morning, then you’ll be the first one they think of when they are handing out promotions and raises.

6.  Ask questions to understand more about your company’s business.

Bosses are always impressed by people that are hungry to understand the business.  Don’t be a pest, but when the opportunity is right, ask questions.  Dig to understand all that you can.  Find out about other branches, relationships and what’s going on above you.

7.  Do more than your share of the work.

“That’s not my job” is the motto of the perpetually stagnant.  Again, the more people you help, the more help you’ll get.  When you run out of things to do, don’t relax.  Instead, go ask your boss if you can help them with something.  This will truly impress them!

8.  On occasion, stay after work to finish something important.

Demonstrate to your boss that you understand the priorities in your unit.  Don’t be hesitant to stay late when the work warrants it.  This says that you are truly self-motivated and self-disciplined.  Your boss wants to get the job done and get it done right.  Helping them to do this is a feather in your cap!

9.  Do whatever you can to make their ideas successful.

Support the ideas that are nearest and dearest to your boss’ heart.  Do everything within your ability to contribute to their success.  Your boss will appreciate this and will begin to think of you as an ally instead of just a subordinate.

10.  Don’t participate in negative talk or gossip.

Be a part of the solution not a part of the problem.  Griping and gossiping drains a unit of their productivity.  Your boss doesn’t need this.  He/She also doesn’t need a tattletale.  Follow the advice of your mother and unless you have something good to say, keep quiet.

11.  Offer well-reasoned suggestions and be ready to implement them.

Be proactive!  When you see something that can be done better, go to your boss with a well-reasoned plan.  Ask for the chance to implement the details yourself.  This kind of initiative is rare and welcomed by all good managers.

12.  Be honest.

Above all else, always be honest.  A boss values a person that they know they can trust.  Tell the truth even if it isn’t flattering to you.  It will pay off in the long-run.  The truth is often hard to discern so your boss will value your integrity if they know you always tell it like it is.

What other suggestions do you have to please your boss?

Photo by Annie Mole

My boss came in on Monday morning and without warning announced that our company was closing for good on Friday.

I’ll admit the initial sting really hurts and it is easy to see how getting fired sends some people into a tailspin.  Panic lurks just under the surface about money, reputation and the long-term impact on my career.

However, I’m trying hard to believe that It is not as bad as it seems.  After all, there has been more than one person bounce back when they got fired.  Right?

3 reasons getting fired may be the best thing that ever happened

No one wants to get fired.  Well, there may be those out there in really bad jobs that don’t have the guts to quit, but that’s not the typical person.  Most of us need our jobs and if we are going to leave, we want to do it on our own terms.

However, life doesn’t always play out according to our plans, does it?  Our future can change abruptly as it did for me.  Okay, okay, I’ll confess the scenario above is a true story about my getting fired, but it happened in January of 1998.

Of course, that doesn’t make it any less real and it goes to show you that it is not the end of the world because I really did bounce back.

One of the hardest parts about getting fired is the blow it deals to your ego.  We all like to think we are irreplaceable.  We want to believe that we are just too doggone valuable for someone to lay us off.  Well, when push comes to shove, everyone is vulnerable.

If you are in this situation now, you have to look at the bright side.  Let me assure you, there may very well be a shiny silver lining to this whole mess.

I don’t want to dish up a bunch of patronizing platitudes, but as someone that’s been there, I do think I can offer you some hope.

Here are three ways that getting fired might work in your favor:

1.  Getting fired may be just the kick in the pants you need

Many of us, myself included, are reluctant to leave behind something “safe” for something that feels more risky.  The unknown always feels riskier than maintaining the status quo.  However, once you’ve been fired, you know that feelings sometimes deceive you.

Getting fired may be just the push you need to get out there and try something you’ve always wanted to do.  If you weren’t fired, then you might have continued down the same boring path you were on and missed out on some incredible opportunity awaiting you just around the corner.

For me, I wanted to be in business for myself ever since I was a kid.  Getting fired turned out to be just the push I needed to get out there and give it a shot.  If I hadn’t wound up unexpectedly unemployed, I might have never had the guts.

2.  Getting fired may give you the opportunity to try some new things

Look at your situation as a “get out of jail free” card.  The world is your playground.  Yes, you have obligations and responsibilities to meet, but the options for how you go about addressing those is wide-open.

You can experiment.  How about trying something a little different?  Why don’t you put a new twist on your old career?  Are you curious about that new upstart company you’ve heard so much about?  Go talk to them!

Have you ever thought about staying at home with the kids?  Now might be the time to give it a try.  If you get on a budget and manage your money right, it can certainly work out.

My wife has stayed at home for over eight years now.  There was an adjustment period, but now it is the new normal.  People do new things.  Whatever you want to do, It can work for you, if you want it bad enough.

3.  Getting fired will give you the chance to totally reinvent yourself

Have you ever wished that you’d chosen a different profession?  Most of us start our careers at a very early age.  We pick something we think we’d like to do, but then later feel stuck.  Well, by getting fired, you just got the gift of getting unstuck.

This is your chance to totally reinvent a whole new you.  Jonathan Fields started out as a securities lawyer in NYC, but later decided that wasn’t the life he wanted.  He left it all behind even with all the time and money he had invested in law school!  Now he has forged a whole new life for himself as an author, entrepreneur and business mentor.

On one of his blog sites, you can find the profiles of numerous other Career Renegades like Jonathan.  They are inspiring!  I encourage you to read a few to see the possibilities for reinventing yourself during this period of opportunity in your life.

Focus on the bright side of getting fired and you will bounce back

Getting fired was certainly not in my plans, but it opened the door for me to start my own business.  It turned out to be a blessing in disguise!

As with most things in life, it is all about how you look at it.  It is your perspective.  If you lift your head up, keep your eyes open and look at the bright side, then you’ll likely be back on your feet in no time.  What’s more, things might even take a turn for the better!

Have you ever been fired?  How did you handle it?

Photo by a2gemma

Recognition, raises and promotions are highly overrated.  People that get these things are suck-ups and have sold their soul to the man.  They seem happy, but I bet deep down inside they are miserable creatures that loathe all the attention they get at work.

What’s more, none of us wants to be married to our jobs anyway.  Is having a steady job really all that important?!?  Jobs are a dime a dozen.  Sometimes you just don’t fit it and besides I can draw unemployment for a nice long time right now.  Who needs a job?  Who wants to be a workaholic?

The more you work, the more they ask you to do.  It’s a never ending rat race.  That’s why I’ve developed some tactics for remaining invisible and slacking off at work.  These help me to fly under the radar while still drawing a paycheck at least for awhile.  Hopefully, they can help you do the same!

1.  Who said that “being late” is a bad thing?

Women have given “being late” a bad rap.  You can shave a little time off your workday by slipping in once everyone else is at their desk.  Being five minutes late is an ideal tactic because only the worst tyrant of a boss would get upset over 5 measly minutes.  Yet, when you combine this tactic with the others I’m about to mention, you can really avoid a lot of work.

2.  Break rooms are the oasis in the desert.

After you mosey in at 8:05, get your coffee cup and head immediately to the break room.  Your goal is to spend the entire morning here, but you might have to work up to this.  There is really an art form to it.  Here’s an example morning to help you get started:

• 8:10 – Start out by washing your coffee cup.  Take your time and get it really clean.
• 8:20 – Wash any other dishes in the sink while you are at it.  Get some out of the cabinet if you need to.
• 8:30 – This should by enough time for someone else to come in.  Strike up a conversation and try to keep it going for as long as possible.
• 9:00 – Try to engage as many people as possible in the conversation as they come to get coffee refills.  You might even consider buying donuts to lure people to the break room, if necessary.
• 9:30 – Once this breaks up, make yourself some breakfast and sit down to eat it.
• 10:00 – Now, it is mid-morning and more co-workers will probably filter in for breaks which allows you to strike up a whole other round of conversation.
• 10:30 – After this round of talks, wash your breakfast dishes.  Again, be sure to stretch this out as long as possible.
• 11:00 – By this time of the morning, you should be able to see that the break room needs a little attention.  Stock the cups, creamer, sugar and other condiments.
• 11:30 – Hopefully, you have successfully filled the time and now the early lunch bunch will start showing up.  I think you can figure out what to do from here!

3.  Stretch out your golden hour of opportunity wisely.

Stretching the length of your lunch break out as far as you possibly can is an opportunity hard to resist.  You want to eke out every minute that you can.  If you get caught, simply use an excuse like traffic was terrible or the restaurant was really slow today.  These are likely to get you off if you don’t use them too frequently.  Wise use of this tactic will buy you 10 to 15 minutes daily!

4.  Fire up the afterburners to keep from burning out.

I know cigarettes are bad for your health, but they are indispensable when it comes to slacking off.  Most employers still offer employees a place to smoke (usually outside) and time to partake of their habit.  The fact that smoking areas are outside is an added bonus because it takes a few extra minutes to get in and out of the building!

5.  Look out!  The boss is headed your way.

Practice this mantra, “That is not my job!”  Repeat it over and over in your head to be sure you are ready when your employer comes and asks you to do those little extra things that some would say are opportunities, but that we know are just sneaky attempts to throw more work our way.  We won’t be duped into getting a bunch of extra crap thrown in our laps!

6.  Makin’ copies is sweet as molasses.

Haven’t you heard?  The copier is the new water cooler.  That’s right.  Go hang out at the copier.  Take a big stack of paper with you and act like you have to make tons of copies.  You can collate, staple and stack them to make it look real.  In the mean time, you’ll have plenty of coworkers walk up needing copies.  This gives you the chance to act polite by letting them cut in on you wasting even more of your time!  Of course, be ready with plenty of questions about their kids, hobbies and the latest gossip!

7.  Drop-ins are always welcome.

When you get stuck and don’t know what else to do, go cruise the halls.  You can always find someone to drop-in on at their office or cubicle.  Chat it up!  You know those folks that love to talk so go find them.  Don’t let another minute pass without learning about their long lost relatives or their latest trip to the doctor.  These stories are priceless for burning minutes off the clock!

8.  For God’s sake, never waste a sick day!!!

Hopefully, this one goes without mentioning, but I don’t want to take any chances.  You might be a recovering workaholic.  Be sure you know exactly how to manipulate the company’s policies concerning sick days to your full advantage.  If you have kids, they are like having a “get out of jail free” card!  Most employers let you take a sick day if you have a “sick” child.  What a bonus!

9.  Takin’ care of business

Don’t fret!  I’m not talking about company business.  Did you think I had lost my mind?!?  No, I am referring to your personal business.  Pay your bills, balance your checkbook or shop for gifts online!  All of these are excellent ways to make the time pass without ever really accomplishing anything.  Plus, this frees up your time at home to play games on your Wii!

10.  Committees are the greatest invention since sliced bread!

Get yourself on a committee.  Everyone knows that committees never accomplish anything.  You can set in endless meetings without ever having to do any real work.  This is a last ditch effort due to the boredom involved, but it is still worth considering.  I recommend getting yourself some wireless earbuds so you can listen to your iPod during the meetings.  How brilliant is that?

WARNING – Not everyone will get the results desired!

Okay, hopefully it is obvious that I’m being facetious here.  I’ve blown up several bad habits larger than life to be a little funny (hopefully!) and to make a point.  These things and many others can waste a ton of your time on the job.  They can also cost you the recognition, raises and promotions you deserve.  Are any of these things standing in your way?  If so, it might be time to change your habits!

What did I miss?  What are other ways people waste time on the job?

Photo by LetTheCardsFall

Given the tough economy, many employment situations are changing rapidly.  There are inducements to leave being offered, layoffs occurring and businesses folding almost daily.

Tough economy or not, over the years, I’ve seen what I thought were some sure things go up in smoke for myself and others more than once.

I might have been naive, but I didn’t seem to be the only one that was caught flat-footed when their job or business hit the skids. 

The days when you could get a job and work until retirement are gone.  As a result, I’ve learned to look at the way I earn a living in a little different light.

The situations that brought about my employment views

First, let me clarify that I am using the term employment more broadly than just the case where you have a job working for someone else.

Employ – to use (as time) advantageously.
~ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Going with this definition, I see one’s employment as the way they are using their time to earn a living.  It could be at a traditional job in the private sector or working for the government or in a business they own.

I’ve come to realize that no employment situation is 100% completely secure.

Let me give you some examples.  I share these not to stir fear, but to help us all acknowledge we must take personal responsibility for our livelihood.

1.  First employer went out of business due to new competition

The chain of supermarkets where I bagged groceries in high school ended up going out of business because they couldn’t compete with the discount stores.

2.  Air Force forced many out due to reduction in forces

I entered the Air Force in the early 90s.  Shortly thereafter, a reduction in forces (RIF) was conducted that asked many officers to leave the service.

3.  Lifetime of service rewarded with forced early retirement

As a training coordinator, I once hired a gentleman in his early sixties that had only one previous employer on his resume.  He had worked his entire life for the local electric company until they forced him into early retirement.

4.  Laid off abruptly when employer suffered IRS judgement

In one of my early IT jobs, I worked at a small consulting firm until one Monday morning when the owner announced he had received an IRS judgement against him that he couldn’t afford to pay so he was closing the business.

5.  Change in CEO resulted in company divorce and layoffs

I managed and was minority owner in a small company owned by a larger entity.  When the larger entity got a new CEO, he decided he wanted to change all the rules.  Our companies ended up splitting up over the disagreements.  My company lost its biggest client and I had to personally lay off some of my employees.  It wasn’t easy.

How these situations changed my employment views

First, let me say, that despite the events above that affected me personally, I have never been unemployed without an income since high school. 

Also, I am not bitter nor do I really have any regrets about any of my employment or business decisions despite the fact that some of them ended unexpectedly.

I learned from all these situations and I believe I am wiser today because of the experiences I have had.

Here’s some of what I’ve learned.

1.  Your value as a person is not connected to who writes your checks

Yesterday, I wrote about how we judge success.  In that article, I tried to make the point that there are better things to use as yardsticks in life than your title, job or even your income.

Employment situations are going to change.  If you tie your self-worth to the method you use to earn a living, then your confidence is going to get beat up.

I’ve learned that my value has nothing to do with who writes my checks.  I am my own person with talents, expertise and skills that stand on their own.  Situations may change, but deep down, I will be the same person today that I am tomorrow.

No matter what happens, I can find someone else that will recognize my contributions and reward me accordingly.  This is true for all of us.

2.  Never become too comfortable where you are at

We can lull ourselves into feeling too secure.  It is never a good idea to become too comfortable where we are and fail to keep ourselves competitive.

 Stephen Covey told us in Seven Habits that we must continually sharpen the saw.  If you aren’t learning something new, then you are falling behind. 

Being behind in your skills and unexpectedly finding yourself without an income is not a good place to be.

Staying up-to-date in your field and continuing to make new contacts is an important way to maintain real security.

3.  Always view yourself as an independent contractor

A good independent contractor is always on their toes.  They have to be in order to keep a steady stream of income flowing.

No matter what your employment situation is, think of yourself as an independent contractor.  If you have a traditional job, then you just have one big client.

The way an independent contractor works and thinks is beneficial because:

• They are always trying to add value and uncover new projects to prolong their current contract
• They know their current contract will end eventually so they continually keep their eyes and ears open for where their next opportunity might come
• They part on good terms being sure to never burn bridges
• They are flexible and willing to be innovative in the contract arrangements in order to get a job and keep it going
• They know their livelihood is their responsibility.  They have to hustle to keep the money flowing.

Adopting the mindset of an independent contractor will minimize the probability that you will ever be without income for long.

4.  You are not married to your current employer or business

Marriage is until death do us part.  Your employment situation lasts only as long as it is mutually beneficial.

Once either party decides they are no longer deriving enough benefit from the arrangement, then the gig is up.

I have seen way too many people stay in a situation way too long because of some emotional hang-up that they weren’t willing to let go of.

In most cases, the emotional hang-up is fear of the unknown.  Don’t overstay your welcome just because a big change is scary.  Make a change on your terms or it will happen when you least want it or expect it.

Don’t get me wrong.  I strongly advocate loyalty to those helping to pay your bills, but you also have to view your employment as a business arrangement.  Be logical!

These employment views will serve you well

Adopting these attitudes toward your employment situation will help you to avoid large gaps in earnings.  It has worked for me despite some tough circumstances.

Again, these views apply whether you work for yourself or someone else.  You can adapt them yourself to fit your situation.  Hope they help!

What views would you suggest along these lines?

Photo by _StaR_DusT_

It seems that there are a lot of people out there that feel stuck in situations that are draining, depressing and going nowhere.

Don’t give up!  I want to offer you some hope.  I want to extend to you some suggestions on how to overcome your hopeless and trapped feelings.

Together let’s make the sun shine on you again!

A story of a woman feeling hopeless and trapped

This is a true story.  I know a woman, let’s call her Jane, that feels hopeless and trapped.

Jane has worked full-time the last 20 years for a large retail chain.  Her schedule often includes working evenings, weekends and holidays.  She hates her job because it keeps her from spending more time with her grandchildren and other loved ones.

Her employer demands more and more from Jane all the time.  They continually raise her sales quotas and put pressure on her to meet them.  This stresses Jane because she really wants to meet their expectations, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.

Jane lives paycheck to paycheck and doesn’t have any savings.  Retirement is just around the corner for her and fortunately she has already started to receive Social Security benefits, but she isn’t sure it will be enough to live on once she has to stop working.

Jane has arthritis in her knees and has to stand on her feet for most of her 8-hour shifts which is sometimes painful.  There are times she misses work because the pain is too much to bear.

Of course, Jane is also concerned about how to cover the high-cost of healthcare once she retires.  She knows she’ll need prescriptions and a doctor’s care to manage her arthritis, but she doesn’t know how she’ll afford these things.

Jane lives alone in an apartment where the rent continues to rise.  She fears that eventually she’ll no longer be able to afford to renew her lease.  Of course, this presents a multitude of issues because Jane doesn’t have the money to pay moving expenses never mind finding a new place.

Adding to her troubles, Jane’s employer is suffering from the recession and closing stores.  She doesn’t think her store will be one of the ones to close, but since she is older and makes a higher salary, she wonders if they might lay her off.

Jane’s feelings about this downward spiraling situation leaves her negative, depressed and fearful.  Of course, this is a further strain on her health, relationships and happiness.

Jane feels hopeless and trapped.

Let’s examine Jane’s overwhelming situation

I won’t kid you.  Jane’s situation isn’t pretty.  It is a mess, but I don’t think it is as rare as we would like to believe nor do I believe it is completely hopeless.

I think there are a lot of people feeling stuck in a similar situation as Jane.  There are people dealing with seemingly crushing issues with their:

• Jobs
• Finances
• Health
• Marriage
• Children

These are usually the big five that create the most anxiety in people’s lives. 

Jane is struggling in three of these areas.  She has trouble with her job, finances and health.

These three issues are intertwined which is what makes the whole situation seem so complicated and therefore hopeless.

We must take a pragmatic approach to help Jane sort out what to do.

The steps to overcoming the feelings of hopelessness

Feeling hopeless and trapped comes from the notion that there is nothing that can be done to resolve the situation.  We must exert control in order to regain hope.  Here’s how to do it:

1.  Write down the issues that leave you feeling hopeless and trapped

When problems swirl around in our heads, they often grow out of proportion.  They also become entangled with our emotions.  This quickly overwhelms us.

Writing down the problems helps us to organize them and to separate the emotion from the real, practical issues.  This simple step will start to give you a sense of power.

Be as specific and complete as possible.  Try not to leave out any factors influencing your decisions.

We’ve already completed this step for Jane.

2.  Determine the root issue that is causing all the other problems

Usually, there is one root cause that is leading to all the other issues occurring.  In Jane’s case, her lack of financial resources is largely responsible for most of her trouble.

If Jane wasn’t so financially strapped, she could look for another job that might initially pay a little less, but that would offer her a better schedule and maybe allow her to sit while she works.

Don’t fret too long about determining the root cause.  In fact, I would suggest going with your first inclination after writing things down.  Once you start to take some action, the situation will unfold and you’ll be able to adjust, if necessary.

3.  Decide where you are willing to make some sacrifices

People usually wind up feeling trapped and hopeless because they don’t see any flexibility.  In order to address the root cause of the problems, you have to make room for change in your life. 

This generally requires you to make some sacrifices in one area so you have the room to make changes in another.  Normally, these sacrifices are temporary so they shouldn’t cause too much panic.

For instance, in Jane’s case, she might decide to find a much cheaper apartment for a year or two so she can change jobs.  The cheaper apartment won’t likely be as nice as what she enjoys today, but what’s more important?

This temporary sacrifice in lifestyle might give Jane the flexibility she needs to find a job with a more stable employer offering her a better schedule that doesn’t require her to stand all the time on her arthritic knees.

Who knows?  Once Jane feels better about her situation, she might perform better in her new job which may lead to a promotion and even higher pay than she had before!

4.  Make a plan for change and take immediate action

Once you determine the root cause and decide where you might be willing to make some sacrifices, then you are ready to formulate a plan for change and take action.

Write out the steps toward change that you need to make to address your root cause.  A written plan will help you stay on track.

For Jane, she might have the following plan:

1. Find a cheaper apartment.
2. Move.
3. Save some money.
4. Find a better job.

Jane should immediately break this down to the smallest actionable steps possible.  For instance, she could breakdown Step 1 as follow:

1. Buy newspaper.
2. Look in newspaper for cheaper apartments.
3. Call and set appointments to view 2 to 3 apartments.

Once Jane has such a list of action steps, she should act immediately.  Any delay will allow the small momentum gained through this process to evaporate.  It is imperative that action is taken with as little delay as possible!  Jane could go right now and buy a newspaper.

5.  Constantly review progress and re-evaluate the situation

Chances are that just getting started with this process will make you and Jane feel better because it restores a sense of some power and control.

It opens one’s mind to the possibilities.  It creates hope.

Refer often to the your original assessment of the issues, your root cause and your plan for change.  Has anything improved?  How are you feeling?  What else can you do to make positive changes?

This constant process of re-evaluating the situation will ensure you stay on track and will also give you the ability to make adjustments as necessary.

Warning: Read this before starting this process!

Taking some action in a positive direction is absolutely, positively necessary in order to overcome your feelings of desperation and hopelessness.

However, you should take small steps and go slowly.  You need to clear the fog from your head before making any rash choices. 

For instance, do not go in and quit a job you hate before you have another source of income.  This will only lead to more trouble!

Also, do not tell your spouse that you want a divorce unless your situation involves extreme abuse, drug use or other unlawful activity.  Instead, I encourage you to take positive action to fix your relationship.  Divorce will introduce all kinds of problems of its own.

Whatever your situation, go slow, be deliberate and be practical.  You might even enlist a trusted advisor to review your plan with you to reveal potential kinks before taking any big steps. 

Action is necessary, but it must be positive and prudent!

You can beat the trapped and hopeless feelings!

There is hope.  It is possible to dig yourself out of any hole.  It just takes some time and effort.  Do not continue wallowing in your misery.  Take action today to beat your hopelessness and to set yourself free!

What is your situation and what do you plan to do about it?

Photo by {dpade1337}

The unexpected loss of income can be very difficult to handle.  In addition, getting fired will have some negative emotional consequences. 

If the person losing their job is your spouse, then you’d better be ready to help or things could go downhill quickly!

How to support your spouse after they have lost their job

No matter the circumstances, losing a job can be very upsetting.  It can cause feelings of insecurity and bitterness.  Of course, neither of these is helpful in regaining employment.

If you husband or wife has lost their job, then it is critical that you immediately become very supportive.  Here are some suggestions:

1.  Reassure your spouse that they are valuable and smart

A layoff can make a person start questioning, “Why me?”  It can undermine their confidence and stir up all kinds of insecurities.  Be sure to spend ample time reassuring your spouse that they have a lot to offer.  Point out contributions they made at their former employer and remind them of their strongest talents.

2.  Help your spouse to look to future instead of dwelling on the past

Most people get angry when they get laid off.  This is natural.  It is okay to be upset for a couple of days, but it is important to move on.  Help your spouse by focusing their thoughts on the future instead of continually dredging up the past.  There is very little to gain in rehashing the layoff over and over again.  Suggest that maybe the layoff happened for a reason and that something better is just around the corner.

3.  Support their ideas and encourage them to explore opportunities

A layoff can be viewed as an opportunity to realign one’s career with what they really want to do.  It can be a time to seek significance and meaning or to rekindle an old dream.  Be supportive.  Some of the ideas that come from your spouse may seem a little far fetched, but give them some room to be creative.  If they have a responsible track record, they will likely come to the right conclusion anyway and they might stumble onto something very profitable along the way!

How to adjust your finances to live on one income

Losing a job also means the loss of a source of income.  It is imperative that you take immediate action to mitigate the financial damage that this can cause and to give your spouse time to replace the revenue.

Here are some things to consider doing:

1.  Re-evaluate your monthly budget

You have a written budget right?  If not, then get started budgeting your money now!  Re-evaluate the necessity of all your expenses.  Cut out all non-essential items immediately!  This may seem extreme, but I believe that swift action early will accomplish two things.  It will maximize the amount of time that you can live on one income which in turn will take some pressure off your spouse.

2.  Come up with an estimate of how long you can survive financially

Once you’ve adjusted your budget, figure out how long you can last financially on just one income.  When will your emergency fund run out?  How long can you last before you’ll start getting behind on your bills?  Hopefully, you have enough saved to last at least 3 to 6 months.  If not, then you and your spouse may need to consider part-time jobs to generate more income.  This step is a necessary reality check!

3.  Look for ways to temporarily increase income

Besides part-time employment, there are other ways to temporarily increase your take-home pay.  You can adjust your payroll tax withholdings.  You can also adjust or stop retirement contributions to your 401k or IRA on a temporary basis.  Talk to your HR or payroll people at work and explain your situation.  They might be able to think of other ways to help increase your take-home pay.

4.  Sell possessions to generate income and reduce expenses

Take an inventory of the items you own.  Now might be a good time to sell things of value that you don’t use or that cost you money for storage and upkeep.  I have sold boats, computers and a hot tub via craigslist or local classified ads.  Your spouse should have the time to help with this project and you might be surprised at how good it feels to get rid of some stuff.

5.  Consider down-sizing your lifestyle permanently

Face it.  Your income may never be what it was before the layoff.  Your spouse might decide to pursue more satisfying, but lower paying employment or they might decide to stay at home with the kids.  You may need to make permanent adjustments to your lifestyle to cope.  You might decide to sell your house, get rid of one of your cars and start being frugal.  It sounds crazy, but it might be the best move you’ve ever made!

Losing a job is not the end of the world if you take action

The key to surviving your spouse losing their job is to take decisive action quickly.  You need to provide emotional support and organize your finances quickly.  If you do these things, then you’ll be well on your way to weathering this storm!

What other suggestions would you offer?

Photo by Kai Hendry

The excuses I commonly hear for less than excellent work

As a father and a manager, I try to instill the idea of excellence.  However, I have encountered some resistance.  It seems that there are usually one of three reasons that we occasionally want to do less than excellent work.  Yes, I fall into these traps too.

1.  It requires too much effort.

It sometimes seems that the effort required to do the job is just too great.  We rationalize that no one will even notice the less than excellent work.  We might even think that the job doesn’t warrant the work required.  It isn’t really important anyway.

However, doing a less than excellent job will often cause more work in the future.  When we slack off, we wind up having to go back and do a job again because what we did the first time didn’t stand the test of time.  Shoddy work usually breaks, doesn’t fully convince, or needs further refining to get the job done.

This is really just pure laziness.  Low-quality output will make people question your commitment and integrity.  This is the fast-track to nowhere.

2.  I don’t have the time.

When I’m in a rush, I am tempted to take shortcuts.  I ignore the details and try to just power through the task to get it done.  So what if it isn’t as good as it could be?  At least, it is finished. 

We live in a busy world.  Everyone is rushing from one thing to the next.  No one seems to have the time to slow down and do a job right.  We just want to slap this deal together so we can get on to the next thing.  This leaves a trail of barely completed tasks in our wake.

Yes, it may take a another few minutes to proof read an e-mail before you send it.  It might take another moment to look back over your work to verify it is right.  It might even cost you precious seconds to listen carefully to a co-worker. 

However, none of this is time wasted.  The mistakes it will prevent will save you countless hours of trying to undo a mess that could have been avoided if the job was done right in the first place.

3.  I don’t want to spend that much money on this.

It sometimes takes a little more money up front to do a job right.  We may need the right tools or better quality equipment or some expertise we don’t have to do the task the way it should be done. 

I know it every time when I’m being cheap.  There is a difference between frugality and being a cheapskate.  I have this little voice in my head telling me to watch out.  I used to just ignore it, but over the years I’ve learned to listen.  I found that when I was being cheap, it usually ended up costing me more instead of less.  I’m still cost conscious, but I’ve learned to listen to that little voice.

It is better to spend what it takes to do a job right than to try to do the job without what is truly needed.  This commitment to excellence is worth a few extra dimes.  I found that the little extra invested at the beginning pays bigger dividends in the long run.

Commit yourself to a job well done

Reputation is everything.  Protect your reputation by completing every job you do with excellence.  People will notice! 

I remind myself constantly that it is worth the extra effort, time and money to do things right.  It prevents rework, reduces stress and adds to my satisfaction.  I take pride in knowing I did my best.

A reputation for excellence is well worth the commitment it requires!

What excuses have you heard for performing less than excellent work?

Photo by notsogoodphotography

Get a job and stop panhandling!

I am seriously thinking about making my own sign.  It will read, “Get a Job!”  I will hold it up in my car window whenever I see a panhandler with their sign.  I know this doesn’t seem very politically correct, but this is America and I have the same freedom to express myself as these freeloaders have in begging.  My message to the panhandlers is that the best way for them to solve their problems is to go to work.  I have to work to support my family and I think the panhandlers should work too.  There are plenty of jobs available if you are willing to work.  The probably is that these people are lazy.  They have found that they can swindle honest, hard-working people out of their money for far less effort than what it would take if they got a job.  They should apply their time and creative effort in a serious endeavor, then I’m sure they could make more money than what they make panhandling.

The stories of panhandlers don’t usually pan out.

I guess what really burns me is that the sad stories panhandlers tell are usually lies.  They use guilt to prey upon our good natures.  I hate the idea of being scammed.  However, I seriously want to help someone that needs it.  How do you tell the difference?  Unfortunately, I think it is impossible.  Their lies are so good and so complete I think they sometimes start believing them.  This is the dilemma each of us faces when we run into one of these people on the street.  Do we give them money knowing we are probably getting swindled or do we pass on by and feel the guilt? 

My encounter with a panhandler in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Recently, I was approached by a woman in a Wal-Mart parking lot panhandling for money.  She told me that she was a single mom who was out of work.  She was really embarrassed to have to ask people for money this way, but she didn’t know any other way to feed her kids.  She continued to elaborate and even had tears start welling up in her eyes.  I couldn’t resist.  I gave her five bucks.  How else do you get out of such a situation?  If I walk off, then I wonder the rest of the day whether I did the right thing.  Of course, I still think that I was probably scammed. 

How to protect your money and avoid the guilt.

As a result of this ongoing dilemma, I have come up with some ideas on how we can protect our money and still avoid the guilt in these situations.  I hope these help you the next time you encounter a panhandler on the street.

1. Make a list of local shelters.  Prepare a list of local shelters that provide beds, hot meals, and other forms of assistance to those in need.  When a panhandler corners you, refer them to one of these shelters.  If you run into panhandlers often, then you could obtain or prepare some cards in advance to hand out with the name and addresses of a few shelters.  This relieves the guilt without costing you any money because if the person is truly needy, then they can get help at the shelter.
2. Carry some low-cost, nutritious snacks.  A friend of mine actually carries some snacks in her vehicle so that when she sees a panhandler on a corner, she can hand one to them.  Her guilt stems from wondering if the person is truly hungry as so many of their signs imply.  By providing them with a prepackaged snack, she can go on about her day without any guilt.  Of course, this costs her a little money, but much less than handing over a few dollars.  The City of Nashville suggests items like bottled water or food gift certificates.
3. Donate money to worthy charities.  Find a good charity and donate money regularly to it.  Charity Navigator is a great place to start.  This way you can tell panhandlers that you donate all your money to your favorite charity and therefore you have a policy against making donations to individuals.  This relieves your guilt because you are donating to a good cause.  You might even combine this idea with one of the other two above.

Panhandling is not the answer so don’t perpetuate the problem.

Begging for money on the street is not the answer to a panhandler’s problems.  When we give them money, we simply perpetuate the problem.  It may take a moment more of your time, but do something more productive so that maybe these people will find the real help they need and get off the street.  I am convinced that there are more positive ways to relieve the guilt without ignoring the issue all together.

Photo by romulusnr

Good maintenance ensures top performance.

I took my truck in to the shop this week to get some much needed service.  I wrote in an earlier article how I drive a 1997 Ford F-150 with over 120,000 miles on it.  It is a great truck, but even so, it occasionally needs some tender loving care from a mechanic. 

Fortunately, in this case, my truck let me know it was time to go to the shop.  The “Check Engine Soon” light came on.  I have no idea what the problem may be, I’m sure my mechanic will be able to properly diagnose the issue and fix the problem. 

I’m just glad the light let’s me know a problem exists because there are no obvious symptoms.  Otherwise, the problem might fester and cause some real damage that would likely cost me some big bucks.

We need to be proactive to prevent burnout.

Wouldn’t it be nice if our brains had a “Check Engine Soon” light?  I often don’t realize that it is time for some R & R until it is much too late. 

Just like my truck, my mind doesn’t seem to show obvious symptoms until burnout is really on me.  Of course, once I’m in this condition it usually takes some significant time away from it all to rejuvenate myself. 

A week in Mexico usually does the trick, but I don’t get those too often and with the price of airfare right now, it can be expensive.  In order to avoid burnout, I am suggesting the following preventive maintenance for our minds.

Here is a preventative maintenance schedule for your mind.

1. Get an oil change every day.  An oil change is the most basic and simplest form of vehicle maintenance.  It has to be performed religiously to avoid excessive wear and tear on the internal workings of your engine.  For your mind, the most basic form of maintenance is a good night’s sleep.  You need 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night in order for your mind to operate clearly and at peak efficiency.  Sleep is to your mind as eating healthy is to your body.  If you are having trouble getting the right amount of rest, then you should check out 22 Simple Tips to Get Out of Sleep Debt.  This is the first thing you need to get under control if you want to avoid burnout.
2. Go for a tune-up about once a month.  A tune-up for a vehicle is preventative maintenance that goes deeper than those things that are typically done during an oil change.  It usually involves the replacement of parts that become worn out over the course of normal operation.  Our minds also need a good tune-up from time-to-time.  For me, this means taking a time-out and getting my mind off things like work, writing, and taking care of the kids.  It usually takes the form of a date night, a camping trip, or a couple of days alone with my wife.  The object is to clear your mind of all the normal concerns and just have fun.  This has a very positive impact and keeps us from burning out.
3. Get a major repair twice a year.  Parts on cars break.  Sometimes it’s the water pump  or it might be the starter, but whatever it is it has to be fixed before the car is going to get you where you want to go.  In the same way, your mind needs a significant repair every so often.  This is why the concept of vacation was invented.  I believe that you need to take a full week off from work about twice a year.  I know this seems difficult, but it is worth it.  There is something about taking off for a full week that you just don’t get from anything shorter.  It truly gives your mind the time it needs to fully relax and recover. 
4. Go for an overhaul as needed.  When our vehicles have a lot of mileage on them and they have been used hard for several years, the only option for getting things to work right again is an overhaul.  This is where a mechanic tears the engine completely part and replaces components deep inside.  If you have been overworked and burned out for sometime, then you may need an overhaul.  You might want to consider things like changing jobs, taking a sabbatical, or pursuing a new line of work to energize yourself again.  These may seem like radical things to do, but once you are at this stage, it usually takes something big to get things back on track.  We spend too much of our lives working not to enjoy it.  Of course, I recommend a sensible approach even to an overhaul.  Don’t walk out on your job until you have something else lined up.

Taking the right steps to avoid burnout.

Burnout is oftentimes insidious and paralyzing.  It can creep up on you if you aren’t taking the proper steps to maintain your mind.  However, if we get the proper rest, relaxation, and recreation, we can often avoid burnout all together.  Take a few minutes today to evaluate yourself and make a plan for your next pit stop.  At the very least, give yourself a treat.  It can lift your spirits and give you the boost you need to regain your enthusiasm!

Please leave me a comment and let me know how you avoid burnout.

Photos by hywell and deckchair