What If You Got Fired Today?

Here are Seven Tips for insuring against unemployment by keeping yourself memorable, relevant, and therefore employable:

Be thankful. At the end of each workday, write down one thing you enjoyed or appreciated about that day. This is what is commonly known as a gratitude journal.  Or, send yourself an email with a few sentences: It might read something like this: "What I liked about today was how Abby handled the new client call. It makes me proud to be a part of her team." Small bits of gratitude remind you of why you took the job in the first place, and help reinforce your willpower to handle the rough times. Also, when you have really tough days looking back through these statements can be a healthy coping mechanism.  Make sure your statement is actually job related. Don't write down: "I'm grateful that this day is over."   .  

Show gratitude. Everyday, email one colleague, vendor, or partner, and thank them specifically for something they've done for you. Showing your gratitude to others is just plain nice, but it also lets others know what you enjoy and would like to see from them. It doesn't have to be long: "Steve — just wanted to say that you did a great job at the planning meeting yesterday and I thought you handled the question about the 2013 budget cycle very professionally — Angela."  In life, our actions create reactions.  If you want to be more appreciated, start by being more appreciative.  It's also a great way to build relationships and increase motivation.

Have an opinion. Write an opinionated or even contrary blog or op-ed piece each month.  Encourage yourself and others to think outside the box. Make yourself memorable by expressing your ideas.  Need inspiration?: Read the NY Times Tech reporters Jenna Wortham and Nick Bilton — they write on cutting edge technology. Sign up for services like Huntington Post, as well.  Additionally, you could use your Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, or blogger account for this purpose.


Stay connected. Once a year, reach out to your former bosses, let them know how you're doing, and find out how they are doing. Anybody who has invested time, effort, and attention to get you where you are today, should continue to be a part of your network!  Tell them periodically how the skills they taught you are still helpful to you today.  Another idea is to send them greeting cards for holidays or birthdays.  They will be pleasantly surprised that you bothered to review their Twitter or Facebook profile to find out their birthday.

Stay in touch. Once a month, go to lunch with a colleague from your past, a former co-worker or a college classmate. Face-to-face, nacho-to-nacho, is the only way to keep true human relationships going. So break bread, grab a drink, or meet for an after-work power walk to share your experiences and trials.

Connect with new contacts. Go through all your contacts, e-mails, and those stacks of business cards you've collected.  Find fifty people from your industry that you wouldn't ‘normally' speak with in the next year. Assign those fifty people to the next fifty weeks — one person per week.  Each week, e-mail just one person with a reminder that you exist and that you remember them: You might say "Hi There Sherry, I was just thinking about how great it was to meet you at the expo in Miami. I wonder if that re-engineering project of yours ever finished! Please stay in touch and if you're ever in my area, please let me know.  I can make some restaurant and entertainment recommendations!"

Stay Educated.  It's important that you are aware of the latest trends, challenges, and even leaders in your industry.  Stay current on technology.  In other words, stay relevant.  Look for books, workshops, and professional organizations that can help you with this pursuit.

The worst time to get up to speed on your tech skills, put on a positive demeanor and whet your networking whistle is when you find yourself laid off or about to be laid off.

Practicing these Seven Tips proactively can help you safeguard yourself.  It doesn't mean you won't get laid off.  That's beyond your control.  But, to does mean you'll be prepared and in the best position possible, if the worst should occur.  It's your unemployment insurance -- it's called EMPLOYABILITY.


For career coaching, employee development, and performance improvement workshops visit:
Enhance Business Solutions, llc

Elmo Meets "The Talker."

Recently, I blogged about a know-it-all who attended one of my seminars; She continually interrupted and created quite a disturbance for everyone.

Well, when it rains it pours!  I had a new challenge this week:  THE TALKER.

While teaching a project management seminar somewhere in Tennessee, I encountered a gentleman who just wouldn't be quiet!

He was very friendly and kind with lots of stories to tell.  In fact, for every point I made, he had a story, joke, or bit of news to accompany it.  Sometimes his tales weren't related to the topic; but I suppose in his mind there was some correlation.  The first two stories were cute and a nice break from the lecture.  After all,  I don't want to be the only one talking.  I encourage interaction, and organized discussion.   By lunchtime, however, the entire group was rolling their eyes every time "Ralph" shared a idiom or quip.  

There were occasions when I had to interrupt Ralph and ask him to give others a chance to speak.  And, at the end of the first day -- this was a three-day event -- I asked him to agree to limit himself to three stories the following day.  

When these kinds of distractions occur, it's not just a disruption for me,  it can also be a problem for the other attendees.  I had to repeatedly remind Ralph of the importance of maintaining our schedule and staying on track.  I suggested over and over again that we continue on and not lose focus;  I also reminded him that while he is eager to speak, there are others in the room who have needs, too. 

Part of my role as facilitator is the maintain order and balance at every event.  My favorite technique for dealing with any person(s) who continually interrupts is the ELMO technique.  I bring a small Sesame Street Elmo doll with me to every event.  I establish at the beginning of the session that we will be using Elmo to maintain order and balance in the session.   I explain to the attendees that if we are ever stuck on a tangent, disagreement, or off-topic sidebar, I will toss Elmo to the involved party.  That will be his or her queue that it's time to end the discussion.  Why Elmo?  Because it stands for Enough.  Let's Move On!   

Just Say No!!

Let's not call it saying no. Let's call it offering an alternate version of yes.

 

You've got more on your plate than you can possibly deal with, yet every time someone ask you to take on an additional responsbility you agree.  Consider this, you're not doing them or yourself any favors in the long run.  You work output could suffer if your too tired or unfocused to give your best.  Also, you're not helping them to help themselves, so they will continue to be dependent.

 

Here's how it's to change the outcome of these tricky and sticky situations.

First, express your understanding of and empathy for the other person's situation. You are tell them that you know their issue is important and you want to help.

 

"Bob, sounds like you have a very pressing matter on your hands.  I want to help you."

Next, state your situation. Explain what you have on your plate, what your working on, and your deadlines. This helps you justify why you can't drop everything to address their issue. Explain, if needbe, your priroties for the day.

 

"However, I'm working on a report for the VP of sales and I need to have it finished by 11am."  [Remember, the 11 am deadline may be self imposed.]

Then, suggest a different way to handle it; or a different time when you're available to assist. You could even refer the person to another person who is better equipped to assist. Consider directing them to a resourceswhere they can get the help they need.

 

"How about we talk today between 2 and 2:30pm?  I'll have time to devote to you then."

 

Or,

 

"Marie is the best person to assist with {Bob's issue}.  She's our resident expert on that subject.   If she can't help you then let me know and we'll find you another resource."