All Good Plans

Today I was one of 17 people to be laid off from my job at a non-profit agency in Denver. The way it was handled had everyone experiencing psychological torture for several hours, not knowing if we would be one of those to go as they made their way around to each unfortunate person's office.

The anticipation of not knowing was worse than any possible outcome. By the time they made their way to my office, when I saw them coming, I jokingly said, "Oh great, here comes the death squad." And I actually felt a tinge of relief because I wasn't wondering anymore. Either way, those who survived this round of layoffs and those of us whose positions were eliminated, have to face change and have a lot of work and uncertainty ahead of us. As I learn more about the organization's plans for workload and leadership (there are none), the worse it sounds for those still hanging on to their jobs.

Letting go of something is never easy. But sometimes we hold onto something too long, with a false sense of security, a false sense of commitment, until that thing that we think we need for our survival actually becomes toxic and unhealthy. The environment was becoming toxic and unhealthy before the announced layoffs, and it has become even more so for those who are left to figure out their place amongst the chaos.

For some reason, this is to be my year of letting go. My life looks nothing like it did a year ago today. I have survived major tragedies in the past and I will survive this. Not because on my own I'm made of rock, but because through this I'll grow closer to my God who is my rock. And because, even more powerful than the fear and worry, is a feeling of excitement and a sense that I'm being given an opportunity to launch my VA business full time. I don't have to squeeze in work on my website, marketing, interviews and client work on evenings and weekends after feeling drained from my J.O.B. My business and my clients can now have my full attention as I move closer to what I truly *want* to do.

On November 11, 2009 I wrote in a 30 Days of Thanks blog: "While I'm incredibly thankful to be earning a living and bringing in that steady income, there's also nothing wrong with working toward something better. My entrepreneurial spirit is ready to start partnering with my ideal clients to help move their businesses forward. And I'm looking forward to moving away from just a job, to something unlimited, and empowering; a business that utilizes my skills and stokes my passion. Eventually, I'll replace the J-O-B (that I am grateful for) with the business that I am meant to build and be oh so EVEN MORE grateful for."

While I thought at the time that I would transition into my business while keeping my full time income, God has His own perfect timing and I will rest in that. While I am "Here2Assist" my clients, God will be here to assist me. Sounds like a pretty good team.  :)

 

Tomorrow’s plans I do not know,

I only know this minute;

But He will say, “This is the way,

By faith now walk ye in it.” —Ryberg

Write your plans in pencil and let God have the eraser.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 11

Continuing with the third blessing for which, I've actually complained about...

Today I'm thankful that I have a JOB.

I'm not alone in that I've complained about my job. Salary.com just released its 4th annual survey of employee job satisfaction and it revealed some interesting trends:

Approximately 65% of respondents said they were “somewhat” satisfied, but less than 15% said they were “extremely” satisfied. Meanwhile, employers believe that 30% of their workers are “extremely” satisfied. 65% of employed survey respondents said they are looking around (up more than 17% this year). 60% said they plan to intensify their job search over the next three months despite the economy.

Another survey by Conference Board found that twenty years ago, about 61% of workers were happy with their jobs. In 2005, 52% were satisfied, and in 2006 41% were satisfied. "Somewhat satisfied" is less than happy, so in 2009 65% of employed respondents are less than happy with their jobs.

Of course there are two sides to every coin, and, these days, people just need the coin. Those who are employed are grateful to have a steady income. The unemployment rate in the United States in October of 2009 was 10.2%. That is, 15.7 million people out of work. In today's economy, people with PhDs are being forced to take entry level jobs just to put food on the table. Overly qualified workers doing unskilled work may attribute toward some of the job dissatisfaction statistics. But with that many people competing for too few jobs, it leaves the rest of us feeling grateful for the job we have.

I actually say there are three sides to a coin. What we are grateful for is the steady income, which doesn't necessarily mean we've suddenly found peace with being micro-managed, under-employed, un-appreciated, disrespected, put in a "corporate box" or whatever it was that left us previously feeling dissatisfied. If employers use the recession as an excuse to replace unhappy workers with over-qualified people, they're being very short-sighted. Did you catch the above statistic? 65% of the currently employed are looking for something better. So when the economy improves or the opportunity arises, your experienced worker will leave that lower paying, under-stimulating job as soon as they are able. There are careers and then there are J-O-B-S. For those who are looking toward their future, wanting to do more with their gifts and skills, it seems society would have you feel guilty for not appreciating the job you're in given today's economy. Appreciating that you have an income to pay the bills and realizing that your J-O-B is a means to an end is one thing. But that doesn't mean that if you were already in a job that didn't utilize your skills, didn't allow you to fully contribute or didn't appreciate what you brought to the role that you should suddenly feel guilty for not changing your feelings toward wanting a better match for your abilities and interests. While we should "bloom where we're planted," we should never limit ourselves or stop moving toward our goals.

I'm thankful that I have a job that provides a steady income. At the same time, no job is safe, and the unemployment rate is actually creating a market for what I want to do. More and more "downsized" executives are embracing their entrepreneurial spirits and using their business know-how to start their own companies. They are listening to their inner voice that allows them to dream and are becoming entrepreneurs. These coaches, realtors, bed and breakfast owners, authors, and more are all creating their micro-businesses and launching the life they could only dream of while they were at their J-O-B-S.

While I'm incredibly thankful to be earning a living and bringing in that steady income, there's also nothing wrong with working toward something better. My entrepreneurial spirit is ready to start partnering with my ideal clients to help move their businesses forward. And I'm looking forward to moving away from just a job, to something unlimited, and empowering; a business that utilizes my skills and stokes my passion. Eventually, I'll replace the J-O-B (that I am grateful for) with the business that I am meant to build and be oh so EVEN MORE grateful for.   :)