Life is just what happens to you, while your busy making other plans” said John Lennon, in his song Beautiful Boy. Although most of us tend to deny it, life is never a straight path, but a winding road with lots of ups and downs. In both our work lives and in private (often they come together), “downs” are normal, and even necessary. Without these periods of discontent or failure the “ups” would lose their meaning entirely, and we would not appreciate our own happiness. When one is facing such a “down” period, when he loses his job and the doors seem to be slammed to his face, he may feel desperate or desolate, as even his own circle may come to shun him as a failure. As the period of unemployment lengthens, the person may be ostracised and grow more isolated day by day.
According to ILO standards, a period of unemployment over 12 months is considered long term unemployment, and the person then requires state support. When I see such people, I’m naturally inclined to reach out a helping hand; while at the same time questioning their personality and productivity before employing them or referring them to another company.
At times I offer such people part-time work, or work that requires flexibility, in order to help solve their problems. I suggest working from home, I show them a path to take, things to learn in order to take on freelance work. Sometimes they patiently listen as I rant on enthusiastically about this subjects, but most of the time they interrupt me and blurt out: “No, I do not want such a job, I’d like to know what I’m doing, I’d like a 9-5 job where I know when I go to work and when I’ll be home.
That’s all right, but life is not a field where you may “know what you are doing”. Life is so unstable, technology constantly innovates, people, and even the environment change, things are not what it used to be. Perhaps your grandfather retired from his first job, but what about your parents? Do you think you could retire from your current job? Consider for a moment, that the hot careers of today, such as e-trade expert or social media counselor, didn’t even exist 5 to 10 years ago. You must realize that work is no longer restricted to the workspace, that you need to face changes in all aspects of life in order to survive in this new world.
Think: In this new age, you may no longer need an employer, and work does not necessarily mean repeating tedious tasks in a boring job. What you should really understand, is that the only way to really feel secure is to step out of the boundaries of safety, to step out of your comfort zone, and know that although ships docked in the shipyard are the safest, they also rust the fastest.
Considering that the new generation will not have similar goals such as yours, you must act quickly. And if you are still saying; “I should know what I’m doing, I should know at what time I will go to work and come home, perhaps my wages would be lower but at least it’d be the same every month, and to hell with new technology”, well…
It may be you who carried your own career downhill, congratulations!
According to ILO standards, a period of unemployment over 12 months is considered long term unemployment, and the person then requires state support. When I see such people, I’m naturally inclined to reach out a helping hand; while at the same time questioning their personality and productivity before employing them or referring them to another company.
At times I offer such people part-time work, or work that requires flexibility, in order to help solve their problems. I suggest working from home, I show them a path to take, things to learn in order to take on freelance work. Sometimes they patiently listen as I rant on enthusiastically about this subjects, but most of the time they interrupt me and blurt out: “No, I do not want such a job, I’d like to know what I’m doing, I’d like a 9-5 job where I know when I go to work and when I’ll be home.
That’s all right, but life is not a field where you may “know what you are doing”. Life is so unstable, technology constantly innovates, people, and even the environment change, things are not what it used to be. Perhaps your grandfather retired from his first job, but what about your parents? Do you think you could retire from your current job? Consider for a moment, that the hot careers of today, such as e-trade expert or social media counselor, didn’t even exist 5 to 10 years ago. You must realize that work is no longer restricted to the workspace, that you need to face changes in all aspects of life in order to survive in this new world.
Think: In this new age, you may no longer need an employer, and work does not necessarily mean repeating tedious tasks in a boring job. What you should really understand, is that the only way to really feel secure is to step out of the boundaries of safety, to step out of your comfort zone, and know that although ships docked in the shipyard are the safest, they also rust the fastest.
Considering that the new generation will not have similar goals such as yours, you must act quickly. And if you are still saying; “I should know what I’m doing, I should know at what time I will go to work and come home, perhaps my wages would be lower but at least it’d be the same every month, and to hell with new technology”, well…
It may be you who carried your own career downhill, congratulations!
John Lennon – Beautiful Boy
You may listen John Lennon’s song that I mentioned earlier, below.