4 New Workplace Realities Part One
Today’s workplace is drastically different from a mere 10 years ago. Whereas workers of the past could depend on steady marketplace growth, predictable career advancement, and consistent earnings, the current reality is far from that.
The only constant today is change. Pair that with a healthy dose of uncertainty, and it’s no wonder so many people who have been in the job market for more than a decade often struggle with the adapting to the current marketplace.
If you’re ready to embrace the new workplace realities so you can stay marketable in today’s economy, keep the following guidelines in mind.
• Commit fully to your job.
In the past, you could show up on time, do the bare minimum to get by, and still be assured you’d have a job tomorrow. Not so anymore. Today’s employers expect their employees to fully commit to the task at hand. That means committing to your job physically (being there on time and doing the work), mentally (thinking about your current task and not your Hawaiian vacation), and emotionally (actually enjoying your work). If you can’t commit on all three levels, it’ll show in your performance. So ask yourself, “What am I doing to commit fully to my job?”
In the past, you could show up on time, do the bare minimum to get by, and still be assured you’d have a job tomorrow. Not so anymore. Today’s employers expect their employees to fully commit to the task at hand. That means committing to your job physically (being there on time and doing the work), mentally (thinking about your current task and not your Hawaiian vacation), and emotionally (actually enjoying your work). If you can’t commit on all three levels, it’ll show in your performance. So ask yourself, “What am I doing to commit fully to my job?”
• Accept ambiguity and uncertainty.
If you’re surprised by something that happens to you at work, such as a competitor stealing your clients or a company downsizing, it’s simply proof that you live in the status quo. And these days, the status quo is the kiss of death. You simply can’t expect things to remain the same. In fact, you need to be the one initiating change and rocking the boat, as that’s the only way to stay on top in this marketplace. So ask yourself, “What have I done to break the status quo at work?” and “What am I doing differently today than I was a year ago?”
• Behave like you are in business for yourself.
Most employees have no idea what it’s like being “the boss.” Sure, it may look like long lunches and business trips, but in reality it’s a tough gig. Between balancing the budget and balancing employees’ needs, it’s enough to make even the most seasoned business person lose a few nights sleep. If all the responsibility of the company’s success or failure were on your shoulders, you’d probably act a lot differently at work. So ask yourself, “What changes would I make if my name was on the building?”
• Constantly learn.
The only thing worse than not knowing what your customers are doing is not knowing what your competitors are doing to attract your customers. That’s why you must read up on your industry and keep atop of customer needs. If you don’t have the time to do this, you may have plenty of time in the future, because your company will be out of business. So ask yourself, “How is my field/industry changing and how can I stay ahead of our competition?”
Joyce Weiss, author of Full Speed Ahead and Take the Ride of Your Life!
www.joyceweiss.com
Copyright 2010, author retains ownership. All Rights Reserved.
www.joyceweiss.com
Copyright 2010, author retains ownership. All Rights Reserved.
Category: Work-Life, Balance
