ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > November > 07
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
If I didn’t have to work…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Having the attitude of “take this job and shove it” is not usually a path to survival or happiness. However, considering the idea of “not having to work” could make for some real freedom and happiness! We could have that attitude in the same organization in which we’re presently employed or it could take us to a whole new world!
If you could live the attitude of “not having to work” in your present company, what might you do differently, how might you think differently and what might you say and to whom?
You could approach this at least two ways. First, you could approach it to “fix” things up where you work. Or you could approach it to even out the score with some folks.
Here’s an example, I was nearly always right at the top in performance as a sales person early in my career. My attitude slipped and my performance suffered. I could have left. But instead I decided that if I were to leave, I would leave on my terms as a top performer. I decided I had nothing to lose (“I didn’t have to work …). Both up and down the chain of command, I started making “outrageous” requests, pushing people to get what I wanted, and began getting great results. Interestingly, it got the attention of someone in another company who made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Another time, I heard I was going to be downsized. Again, with seemingly nothing to lose, I started politicking and taking aim at others that I thought were vulnerable. The outcome was someone else got the “pink slip.” I got things turned around positively for myself, had a good run, and left on my own accord with everyone satisfied.
From my experience, far too many people are NOT able to do what we’re talking about. Many find it threatening. To imagine that I could DO some of the things I’d like to do, to SAY what I’d like to say or even allow myself to THINK “outside of my comfort zone,” can be threatening.
I think that by not doing it, taking a personal (educated and measured) risk, we make ourselves far less productive, limit our future, and minimize our happiness and passion.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau.
Here’s a time and place you can say it! Go for it!
