A Society of Victims? Get Real People!
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here’s something that’s pretty politically incorrect. I’m not much for making controversy, but is anyone else sick of hearing people whine and moan about the world passing them by?The autoworkers in Detroit want government relief to help “bring Detroit back.” People who made bad decisions on their mortgages want government bail out…as do the greedy banks. And people who get laid off moan about the company’s insensitivity to loyalty.And now the new question is “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Interesting. If you answer “no” to that then I have another question: “What have you done to better your situation?”I don’t know enough about the auto and mortgage biz, but I do know why people get laid off. It’s because (in most cases) they aren’t contributing anymore. Or someone else has stepped up to out-contribute them. They have let their skills wane and the company is ‘reconciling.’If you haven’t reinvented your knowledge lately, here are three things that will set you back a few hundred dollars. (I guess you’ll have to decide if keeping your job is worth it.)
- Go take an Internet class. It doesn’t have to be at an IVY LEAGUE school. Go down to your local technology school and take one. Understand the Internet. After all, it’s probably the thing that is impacting your company the most, so you’d better understand it.
- Invest in personal growth. Now, I’m not saying that because that’s the business we’re in. I’m saying it because it works. If you invest in yourself, your personal growth will be remarkable. You should be investing 5-10% of your annual income in you. You are an asset. Look at growing that asset by investing in it. Take a class in sales or time management or marketing.
- Learn to write. I’m appalled at the percentage of salespeople who can’t write a lick. My friend Chet Burrell, CEO of United Healthcare in Washington, used to say, “if you can’t write it, you can’t say it.” I like that. Take a course in writing. That way, you can write papers, articles, blogs and other communiques. And the outcome is that you’ll become more savvy and effective at verbally communicating your value to another.
One of our favorite sayings these days is “The illiterate of our times is not the person who can’t read and write. It’s the person who refuses to learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin Toffler.Good thinkin’ Alvin.
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