How to Keep Your Job in Uncertain Times

People are contacting me left and right these days with understandable concern about their job security. We all know corrosive worry and concern isn't good for us and can even reduce our performance level, which can ultimately lead to job loss, the very thing we are all trying to avoid. The real focus is getting one's head out of the worry pit and back in the game to put oneself in the best situation to keep their job and their careers on track.

Here are some tips:

1. Committed and unattached. When we consider a job loss, sometimes we are prone to consuming fears and anxiety. We know worrying has no worthwhile benefits and that it saps valuable energy and focus. When you are fretting and fearful, you are living in an imagined world of a bad possible future vs. the current reality. When you stay in R-E-A-L-I-T-Y about what is happening in the present moment, you'll notice the present moment is survivable, even if it is not what you want, and you can then think clearly, sleep soundly, and create powerful action.

2. Create a plan. Instead of spending your time contemplating fears of losing your job, now is the time to kick it into gear and create a plan to win at your job and in your professional life. Design well-defined initiatives for yourself with specific and measurable results and timelines including ways that impact the bottom line no matter your role in the company; and focus your attention on hitting these targets. These targets should be both within your current job as well as actions that will have you be more prepared if a layoff ends up in the cards.

3. The more intensely you play this game to win, the more satisfaction and peace of mind you'll find. And as an ancillary benefit, the more valuable you will become to your company. Excellent employees who give their all when a company is on the ropes are the ones who stand out when the business enters calmer waters.

4. Keep your sights on winning YOUR OWN GAME. When all of your attention is on pleasing your boss or keeping your job, you risk getting get tied up in futile head games, either in competition with your peers or in riding the roller coaster of your mood or of your boss's mood and trying to be what you think your boss wants, versus trying to be your very best. When you start aiming to please yourself instead of aiming to please your boss or to compete with someone else, the company inevitably sits up and takes notice. Road tested.

5. Enhance your personal development. A turbulent financial milieu is not the place to ask for a raise or promotion. This is the time to forge ahead to foster better business results and to enhance your personal development. Learn new skills and challenge yourself to grow. Manage your job with passion and innovation, and return to conversations about raises and promotions when the economic tides have shifted positively.

6. Cultivate relationships. Whether you stay in your current job or find yourself on the layoff list, this is a good idea. Your network can help you succeed with your current job and can be crucial if you need help down the road. Reach out to people, go out for a drink with an old boss, send a handwritten card to business associate, haul out for an early morning networking event - be making real contact with people in your company and in your industry. You will be happy you did whether you stay in your job or not

7. Keep your own tank filled. Giving 100% or more of yourself at work requires recharging and taking care of yourself, with greater balance in other parts of your life, including exercise, social time, downtime and rest. When you sacrifice this, it bites you in the behind. It is a bad idea to allow yourself to justify giving this up. Good self-care ensures you have the juice, creativity and energy for your job and challenges that you encounter down the road.

8. Avoid company gossip. It is inevitably a bad idea, but people sometimes throw caution to the wind and vent frustrations to co-workers. Even if you think the company doesn't know, the gossip train will eventually get you. Getting involved puts you on the least valuable player list.

9. Get some perspective. When you talk to those who are older and wiser, who have seen the movie of tightening and loosening economic conditions, they will share the meta-view that there really is a stream of ebb and flow in the business world. And we are all journeying through part of the cycle now that is less comfortable. It's up to you how you ride out the storm. So while you may have no choice about how the economic conditions or even the stability of your company impact your job, you do have authority over how you react, and relate to, and behave through this. Play to win your game, and know that this is but one scene in a long movie.

Meredith is an Executive Coach with The Institute for Coaching.

Comments or Questions, email [e-mail]

Comments

[bgar2]

I think Meredith Haberfeld makes several interesting and important points here -- namely the revelation that keeping a broader focus (through networking, learning new skills and helping keep your company afloat in areas beyond your current task set) will distance you emotionally while strengthening your position in your current company and even potentially opening new doors should you still get the can. These are dog-eat-dog times and any way to pack on a little armor seems worth the added workload she's suggesting.

[Iceberg1]

I really enjoyed this piece because it provides a positive yet realistic approach to scary times. I forwarded it to my friends who have recently lost their jobs and hope they will find some perspective and optimism here.

[TZS]

Such a great distillation of all that matters -- in uncertain times or not! Thanks for the straight talk with heart!

[csadoff]

great article. passed it on to a few people dealing with similar issues...also refreshed for me great places to come from during these times.

[riversmom11]

Good to read a positive approach to these challenging times. Number four especially resonates. I've found this time to be a good time to ask if what you're is what you REALLY want to be doing with your life, as opposed to just being the path that you ventured onto x-number of years ago. Thanks for the wisdom and pep talk.

[jtspups]

In these uncertain times, the loss of a job can happen to anyone. Meredith's wisdom will serve many. Looking forward to more.

[mickeylp]

Great article, very practical and motivating advice.

[Yokie]

This was an excellent article by Meredith. The information shared was insightful. I feel better prepared to deal with the turbulent times ahead. I am also looking forward to seeing more articles by Meredith Harberfield.

Youlanda Deveaux
Nassau, Bahamas

[santnet]

very sound advice. tough times ahead for many of us. i think there are a lot of nuggets of wisdom that can be taken away here.

[dalporto]

Having been through a couple of up and down cycles myself, this is very sound advice. During the last recession the company I was working for went through several rounds of layoffs and ultimately went bankrupt. I remember the stress of that experience being very intense, and also the realization that no matter how talented a person is, some things remain out of your control. There was a real silver lining to that experience. Once I did get laid off, I took some time to reflect on my priorities. I got a new job, and have since enjoyed career and personal success.

So this downturn I'm much more focused on the things you recommend like playing my game at 100% and staying focused on delivering great business results. I've also kept focus on my family life and even find some time to rant about the economic crisis on my blog www.fixourpolicies.comm).

[devanicole]

Thanks for these words of wisdom! It really helped a lot to read this. It's scary out there and nice to get some perspective!

[AJMinimart]

There I was, frozen and worried to death. Thank you for getting my head on straight about the futility of what I've been doing. I'm going to pin the article up so I'm reminded every day to plan, move and not to fall back into the Pit!!!