No Sitting Still
Where do you stop?
WARNING: This post is a call to action, not a warm and fuzzy. Read at own risk.
Yet again, MSNBC has done a wonderful job in capturing our attention by leveraging that powerful little human emotion called fear… “Older job seekers struggling with age barrier“.
As much as I cringe at what I imagine to be sensationalism, perhaps there is some truth to the story.
Many folks find themselves out of work these days. It’s frustrating, exhausting and often depressing. It seems as though there’s a shrinking inventory of available opportunities as well. Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?
Yes there is, but it’s surely not being created by employers.
You see, an article like the MSNBC one paints a picture of employers being the bad guys. Age, race, religion and gender are just the beginning of possible discrimination. And, yes it does happen unfortunately.
However, I invite all of us to look at not just the content of this story, but most importantly at the CONTEXT of this story.
For me, the context is about job seekers being at the effect of circumstances – i.e. age, race, gender, experience, current economy, industry, etc. Yet, I see a myriad of job postings on the career websites I frequent, talk to many HR folks who say “I’m struggling to fill this open position”, and hear many stories of people finding employment. So what gives?
Consider that in any situation, context is NOT the truth, but a possible interpretation.
So what if we really took that sentence to heart? Now what?
Here’s what I mean…
The economy is challenging right now, not just in Detroit, but across the nation. Finding a job is more complex and requires more time than it used to. Fear is the most common emotion we experience these days. But I have one question for you…
Is that where you stop?
Because if you stop, especially in this economy, you’re screwed. If you stop because you feel that age, gender, race, money, industry, economy or geography is an issue, you will NOT find employment. What you will do is spend the majority of your time blaming others for your woes.
This applies to me and the rest of the self-employed as well. None of us can afford to stop now. Sure, we’ve got about as many external circumstances as we could ever want as evidence to stop, but that will not do.
For those who have found new employment, new clients, new projects and new money have simply not stopped. They keep going every day, creating the next opportunity, having the next conversation, scheduling the next meeting, reading the next book. They don’t stop.
Leadership Practices:
In service of building your muscles around not stopping, please answer these questions and consider these actions…
- What’s that uncomfortable place you just won’t go?
- By not going there, what story about you is kept in place?
- Based on that story, what are you really committed to?
- Write a letter to yourself two years from now, reflecting back on the past two years. What will your “two years ahead” self be telling your “today” self?
- What five people will you call today to generate a conversation about possibility? Do it again tomorrow. Then again, and again, and again.
- Create a structure for support to keep you empowered and in action such as our career coaching program.
Your next opportunity may arrive in your lap by surprise, but only after you’ve taken the action to create the circumstances that would have it happen.
Happy Action,
- Coach Preston
2 comments
Preston True - 07/10/2009
Tahma, I apologize completely and sincerely. My last intention is to leave you feeling that I don’t care about your experiences or am being judgmental as well. Please accept my apologies.
And yes, I have been on the receiving end of injustice, specifically around my gender and race. Being a white male, I am often a perfect target for judgment and criticism. As much as it infuriates me, I realize it’s not about me. I’m just the target of someone who’s scared and reacting to that fear. I share this not to dismiss your comments, but to let you know that I am sorry you’ve had to deal with scared and even ignorant people. You do not deserve that.
My intention is to have all of us consider where we get stopped when the going gets tough. To have us explore moving beyond our circumstances, even when they seem out of our control. That’s actually my job as a coach – to invite action in spite of circumstances.
And again, I apologize for offending you in any way.
Thanks so much for your candid feedback. -Preston
Tahma - 07/06/2009
Must be nice to always have that outlook. I am assuming you never actually experienced that injustice, especially gender and race. It doesn’t end with landing the job. Try landing it and still having to fight that war on a daily basis through denials of raises despite great performance reviews and a raise offer in writing, sexual harassment, racial harassment, flat out insults and racial slurs. How nice for someone to be self employed and have everything at their disposal to make judgment of others and never have to experience it themselves. Finding a job is a problem for many…the day to day woes of being hired since the employer feels the work quality of their preferred demographic can be provided for 1/2 the rate and 2x the insults is apparently not something that you would have an experience or expertise on. Many people stop looking or want a break so that their self-esteem and self-worth can stay in tact after years, or in my case a decade of abuse. Honestly, career people who make their living off of shallow career advice humour me. It’s great for smiles during a tough economic situation and an employment situation that honestly has nothing to do with the economy for many people and more about what they check on boxes.