by Charlotte L. Hanna CMO/CMBS GLOBAL
My husband works for the world’s largest and most recognizable maker of mining equipment used underground. He has invested 37 years of his 56 years here on this earth in helping to keep this company the successful and productive player that it is in the world market.
Though only one of about 1300 people employed at this facility, he is very good at what he does, and as such, is respected for his abilities by those with whom and for whom he works, day in and day out, week after week, month after month, year after year. He has been consistently committed to doing a great job and has always retained a certain level of pride in the products he helps to create and in the company that has played such an important role in the economy of the area in which we live.
He considers himself blessed to have found a job that he could “sink his teeth into”, hold onto for so long, and maintain earning a decent living while doing something he genuinely enjoys.
Much has changed over the past 37 years.
- How many can honestly say the same about the work they must do every day to put a roof over their family’s heads and food on their family table?
- How many truly love what they do and do what they love, and feel a deep sense of gratitude for the job that they have?
- How many actually feel rewarded for their efforts and compensated for the long hours invested?
The business climate has been relentlessly changing. As a result, fewer jobs, fewer pay raises, fewer benefits, fewer employees…and yet, the production rate is expected to remain the same. In fact, some work places have demanded a HIGHER level of production. Fewer individuals, working in an office or manufacturing plant, requires that each individual accomplish even more in the same amount of time allotted. Job descriptions are routinely amended, requiring each person involved to bear a greater share of the workload without increase in their pay rate or yearly salary.
Many entrepreneurs are deciding to invest in their own dreams, instead of giving their best for the dreams of others. For some, the option was a willing choice – but for many others, creating their own business opportunities has been the natural solution to lack of jobs in the current market. Reinventing themselves has been the answer for paying the rent and eating. They have learned new skills, or further developed those already possessed that they before were unwilling to rely upon as a source for income, opting for what was perceived as a more comfortable and perhaps easier route to make money.
In other words, change can be a GOOD thing.
The change in our economy and in the current marketplace, the change in one’s employment status, all of these can mean opportunity for those able to keep an open mind. Yes, it can be painful to lose a job. Yes, it can be devastating to lose that income on which your family was so dependant. And yes, unfortunately, there are those who cannot see anything positive in the midst of such negative-looking and feeling times. Those that cannot or will not look for a brighter lining are difficult to console.
Hopelessness is a state of mind that takes prisoners and holds them powerless.
What state are you in these days? In the midst of all that is going on around you – are you feeling helpless and hopeless – or are you looking for possible opportunities? Are you proactively seeking solutions for earning more money, without doing more work? Are you willing to learn a new skill-set, reinvent yourself, even ask for help from those who have been in your shoes and simply refused to settle for less than what they knew they were capable of?
These are not the days for despair. These are the days for resolve. Thankfully, it is still a free country! We can still freely make choices. Each of us can choose to be inspired and aspire to do more.
The key is – we must choose.
- What will you choose to do when it comes to earning an income?
- Will you choose the safe road and hope for the best? Will you choose to risk some things in pursuit of your dream?
- Will you deny yourself, and allow others to dictate your future?
- Will you invest in yourself, and make your own rules for the future?
- Will you continue to do what you don’t want to do
- Or will you do what you have always dreamed of doing?
Anyone can ask these questions. No one can answer them for you. And ONLY YOU can choose.
"You don't have to buy from anyone. You don't have to work at any particular job. You don't have to participate in any given relationship. You can choose." Harry Browne
[...] This post was Twitted by CharlotteLHanna [...]