We all know (or should know) that job security is all but gone in today’s world. My dad was able to devote his entire career to Boeing and was well rewarded for it. The same can not be said for those that follow him 20 years later.
Instead of making yourself a slave to the concept of a career ladder, reinvent yourself on a semiregular basis. Start by writing your own mission statement, to guide you as CEO of Me Inc. What turns you on? Learning something new? Gaining recognition for your skills as a technical wizard? Shepherding new ideas from concept to market? What’s your personal definition of success? Money? Power? Fame? Or doing what you love? However you answer these questions, search relentlessly for job or project opportunities that fit your mission statement. And review that mission statement every six months to make sure you still believe what you wrote.
No matter what you’re doing today, there are four things you’ve got to measure yourself against. First, you’ve got to be a great teammate and a supportive colleague. Second, you’ve got to be an exceptional expert at something that has real value. Third, you’ve got to be a broad-gauged visionary — a leader, a teacher, a farsighted "imagineer." Fourth, you’ve got to be a businessperson — you’ve got to be obsessed with pragmatic outcomes.
It’s this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else.
March 28th, 2006 at 3:07 am
This is a very informative website !
Best regards,
Tor
April 5th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
I remember working in a hanger for an airline the last few months of my job there. I spent most of my time studying web sites, trying to find the way I could make enough money to quit my job.When I discovered that it was possible to make a living from just using my computer, I was on fire everyday. I was instantly a horrible employee. I did VERY LITTLE work on airplanes, and ALL my work surfing the internet. Managers would kick me off a computer, and then I would walk to the other side of the building and start surfing on a different computer.
Many of my co-workers were angry with me for not working on the planes, and many thought it was just comical because they hated working for the airline as much as me. They all thought I was “whacked” though – a total dreamer with his head in the clouds. My family members did too, as I recall. Of course my wife Betty believed an internet business was possible. Thank god for that.
As fate played it out, the airline shutdown the base three months later. By that time, I had begun building my first little web sites. When the day came that the pink slips were handed out I was getting really excited. I knew that soon I would be working FULL TIME on my sites.
When the day came that we all had to pack up our tool boxes and roll them out of the building, I was beside myself with excitement. This was in stark contrast to hundreds of my co-workers who were preparing to commute to a different city. I was almost dancing around the hanger because I knew in a few hours I would be free to pursue internet marketing.
When I handed in my ID, keys, passes, etc. to the manager, I quickly walked out and yelped “YES!”. (the guys thought I was really whacked at that point) I was out of there! and the next morning I was hard at it – Working At Home On My Computer. I left my toolbox in the hanger and to this day, I’m told, it still sits there in the corner. I left the drawers open for anyone who might need to borrow (or steal) a tool. I put my name on the top of the toolbox in big black felt pen because I knew some of the managers would cringe when they walked by my box.
I hope that internet marketing ruins many employees, and I hope these large companies lose many good employees to internet marketing. As one of my friends said, “Screw the man, I’m working for myself”
I know that to some people, this kind of attitude is childish and “unprofessional”. Maybe it is, but it’s an attitude I’ve always had, and always will have. Some of us just will not be happy working for someone else.
My goal is to create a way in which I can show thousands of people a way to become free of “the man” as well. I was very lucky though, because I was laid off, and that gave me some money for 1 year. I’m not suggesting people quit their jobs, or get fired. I suggest people think like the character “ORR” in the book “CATCH 22″ – quietly punch the clock and practise working your online business when no-one is looking….
If employers don’t want to lose anymore good employees to internet marketing, they had better:
1) allow their employees to arrive at work whenever they feel like it
2) start paying them at least 4 times what they are presently paying them
3) give them all holidays every month
4) give them a raise every week
5) start paying their employees even when they don’t show up for work
Those steps would be a good start……but propbaly not enough to keep an internet marketer….
April 13th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
A friend and I were just talking today about the need for business plans and clear goals for those with their own business. Great post.