Change we can count on – but that doesn’t mean opportunities are decreasing. True, not all change is progress, but all progress does require change. Embrace the change by positioning yourself for new options.
I recently worked with a young lady who had lost her job, making in the mid 70s. Panicked and convinced she could never find another job in that income range, she had decided she would have to start her own business. However, after identifying her unique “areas of competence” I advised against that and encouraged her to do a creative job search. In a short period of time she had two offers on the table; the clearly better fit had offered her a base salary of $89,000. We discussed the offer, the fact that it was a great fit, and I encouraged her to go back and negotiate a better deal. They settled at a base of $94,000 with some additional benefits bringing her package to approximately $105,000.
Now this is in a market where “noone is hiring,” we are in a “recession,” and unemployment is increasing. Be careful of the generalities. All you need is one right opportunity. The sky is not falling – economists and naysayers will always be pessimistic about the future. Our current politicians and media experts desperately try to bring us bad news. You don’t have to get caught up in that perspective. Just remember, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
But where do us older people fit into that scenario? I know that I am being a naysayer but options for us older, 55+, workers making good money, $120k+, are much more limited. I work in IT for a LARGE newspaper company and I am always concerned about getting laid off. My IT skills are in older technology due to the systems me and my team support. How do I overcome that situation of being older, make good money and skill set not up-to-date if I am laid off?
Bob – I think you’ve answered your own question here. Remove anything about being older in your comments and read it again. Making good money but not having skill sets up to date will be a challenge for someone whether they are 18 or 88. Make it your goal to have relevant IT skills in the next 6 months. It’s not your employer’s responsibility to keep you up to date – that’s something you do for yourself.
Dan LOVE this reminder about the perspective of change – we can choose our reactions to what we can see as a negative or positive experience.
That is just an awesome story about her salary comparison! Wow, very cool!!!
Jen,
Yeah she was blown away. Just another example of getting what we “expect.” Think lack and you’ll find that – think abundance and you’ll find it everywhere.
Another insightful and instructive article…Thank you Dan!
Because of the certainty of retirement being that the cost of living continuously rises and pay stays the same, and the overall uncertainty of retirement, I am writing an Ebook to encourage and teach people how they can prepare financially for job loss and retirement by creating teaching products to sell on the internet as a sideline. If they have that sideline already established, and job loss hits, they already have a cushion that’s better than a savings account and a small business that can be expanded to meet their increased need.
Again, I need to thank you, Dan, for teaching me that one can help more people and make more money by teaching what they know, rather than by just doing what they know.
Bob – thanks so much for your comments.
I have felt the same was as your client above. Thank you for the encouragement Dan! I love the hope in your statements below: “All you need is one right opportunity. The sky is not falling”.
Love this statement: Just remember, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” This encourages us to be creative and think of new ways to serve with excellence. Thanks Dan!
“Economists and naysayers will always be pessimistic about the future.” Man, that is so true. It’s amazing that when I get away from listening to politics and the news how much brighter the future looks. The first step towards a brighter outlook is to stop listening to all of the negative commentators in life. Thanks, Dan, for consistently bringing this message to all of us!
Vincent – now is a great time to limit what we listen to. I just got off the treadmill when I listened to an hour of pure, clean, positive material. I’m ready for the day! Don’t need to check Facebook, Instagram or online news to limit my outlook.