“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
― Chris Grosser
You Are Dispensable
Throughout my professional career, I have experienced major structural changes in two separate companies. Both times, the shift in the organization’s direction caused a dramatic reduction in cost. This meant cutting their staff members.
And fortunately both times, I was retained. However, it was difficult to see my colleagues with who I have bonded over the years suddenly lose their jobs.
Although many of us kept our jobs, we were demoralized. With the cloud of uncertainty about the company’s future above my head, I made an empowering decision to actively look for other opportunities.
At the time, I realized this:
No matter what level of work experience and special expertise I have, I’m always replaceable.
There’s no job that’s safe.
That’s because the highest interests of any for-profit company are the bottom line and the happiness of its shareholders. During difficult times, companies may be forced to reduce costs and this may include decreasing the number of employees.
Oftentimes it’s based on performance and essentialism. However, if all the workers were superb, managers are forced to make challenging decisions. And it’s purely business and rarely personal.
Realizing my value in the marketplace, I decided to find beneficial employment since my existing job didn’t allow any professional growth and advancement.
And knowing there’s always a risk in selecting any path, I chose the road that best served me.
Always Perform Your Best
Whether it is your first day on the job or you’ve been with the company for 20 years, you are always on performance. Your employer is paying you money and other benefits in exchange for your service. It’s a contract you both have agreed upon employment.
And if you’re not doing what you’re getting paid to do, you’re costing the company precious time and resources. Therefore, give your organization the utmost respect by always doing your best.
Even during struggling times with a non-ideal working environment such as uninspiring colleagues, strive for high achievement because you’re a person of integrity with valuable characteristics. But if you decide to pursue other opportunities, do so while being professional at your current organization.
To find another job, it’s easier to accomplish this when you already have one. That’s because it shows you’re employable since you’re currently providing value in the workplace. From the future employers’ perspective, there is less risk for them to hire you compared to if you weren’t presently working.
With your proven successful track record as a professional, you realized your true value in the workforce. You can use this as leverage to maximize your value in your next employment. This way, both you and your company can get the most out of the employee-employer relationship.
Create Multiple Income Streams
Just like the seasons in the calendar year, the stock market is guaranteed to have times of growth and collapse in its cyclical trend. The causes can be natural or human-made.
In addition to having an emergency fund that consists of at least six months of expenses, you can best prepare for those unforeseeable times by creating multiple streams of income. This will allow cash flow even if you were to lose your job which may be your main source of income.
Examples of making more money can be starting a part-time job and/or business such as becoming the following:
- Writer/editor
- Graphic designer
- Dog/cat sitter
- Rideshare driver
The virtual and in-person opportunities are endless and only bounded by your creativity and ingenuity.
Having a supplement earning would further help support your lifestyle while you find new employment. With a diversified income portfolio, you give yourself a high chance of financial stability in times of turmoil.
Closing Thoughts
It is not wise to solely rely on your job for income. That’s because you’re always dispensable at the workplace.
Rather, you can create other sources of earnings to prepare for the unexpected event of a reorganizational change in your company or worse yet, a total market catastrophe.
When possible, gain valuable skills both within and outside of your job. Then leverage those unique talents to generate other streams of income in which you set the prices.
This will allow you to operate from a place of power knowing you have more control over your financial stability.
I am on a mission to help 1,000,000 people, and I can’t do that without your help. Please share this article with anyone you think will find it valuable and helpful. Thank you very much! I greatly appreciate it!
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