"Working on Monday" Part 1- The Journey Begins

Welcome to "Working on Monday!"  This week I am going to focus on plotting our path to paid employment. I'm not just talking about a job, I'm talking about your life's purpose. The pathway to your destiny. I have worked since I was 15 years old. My experiences have been an unequal mix of tolerable and terrible workplaces. The weight of the scales rests on some pretty terrible work experiences. I am taking the bad, worst and awful and creating life lessons for "Working on Monday." I have come to the conclusion that business as usual is dead.

"Working on Monday" a Practical Perspective

Let's get right into it!  I have always been an idealistic person.  Since the age of twelve I had dreams of changing the world for good.  The problem with this statement is not the goodness I wanted to impregnate the world with, but the lack of clear planning.  A dream is important, but you have to plan to reach your dreams.

Where do you want to be in twenty-five years?  Yes, twenty-five years, successful businesses have long term strategic plans in place.  If we are going to be relevant and living our dreams in the future, the planning and action needs to take place today.  Everything we do in this series is going to be strategic! 

Action Plan 1:
Write out where you want to be in twenty-five years.  Don't spare any details.  Where do you want to live?  Where do you want to work?  What kinds of relationships do you have?  How much money do you want?  Dream!  Don't settle for less than your best in this twenty-five year vision. 

Since business as usual is not reaping the results I desire, I have to change.  I have always thought my job was to finish my work with excellence and go home.  If that was all that is required, I would be the CEO of Pepsi!  It takes more than quality work to make it in business.  You have to understand and participate in politics with skill.  I have always hated politics, I thought people that practiced them were suck ups and phonies.  They are just smart!  If you are not apart of politics, believe me, politics will be working you!

In the book The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli he discusses his analysis of the psychology of man. Machiavelli is known for his unethical approach to politics.  I am not suggesting you compromise your integrity, quite the contray.  Know your enemy.  The business world is dog eat dog, and if you are going to live your dream, you have to run with the big dogs!  Many people practice a Machiavellian approach to business called realpolitik.  The name of the game is POWER!  I never cared about power, only helping people and doing the right thing.  I have learned you can not make it on lofty ideals alone.

Machiavelli suggests there are two types of principalities, new or established.  Established principalities are inherited and ruled by families for generations.  A modern day example of an established principality is Ford Motor Company.  How does this relate to you?  Every company you work for has a culture.  You have to learn that culture and work within it to fulfill your dreams. 

Action Plan 2a:
Pick five companies you want to work for and learn their history and culture. 

Action Plan 2b:
Go back to your twenty-five year plan and learn about the history and culture of the life you want to live. 

Staying actively engaged with other business people will help you network, stay sharp and have fun.  Most companies want you to apply for a job online.  It is tough to get noticed.  Engaging in community events and organizations is crucial.

Action Plan 3:
Join an organization or club.  Pick something that has meaning to you and mirrors your values and life dreams.  Your religious organization does not count. 

"Working on Monday" a Spiritual Perspective

Genesis chapter 37 tells the story of a young Joseph.  He had big dreams that made his siblings turn from tolerating him, to hating him.  They plotted his death to kill his dreams (Genesis 37:20).  This is a story God uses to share the importance of your dreams.  Joseph's brothers didn't want to get rid of Joseph, they wanted to kill his dreams.  Don't let anyone steal your dreams, your dreams are more valuable than your life.  A man without a dream is spiritually dead.  One of Joseph's brothers suggested that they not kill him, a divine intervention designed by God.  He said let us just throw him in a pit.  Unemployment, under employment or working a job you hate is like being in the pit.  Can you imagine how Joseph felt?  He must have felt betrayed, hurt, afraid and worried about his future.  Can you relate?

Spiritual Lessons Learned from Genesis 37

1. You can not share your dreams with everyone.  Your big dreams will stir hatred in envious people, including envious family members. 
2. People will act upon their hate.  Don't be surprised when people attack you.
3. God always supplies help in a hopeless situation.
4. You can get thrown in the pit on your way to destiny.  It is not the end, only the beginning. 
5. Jealous people will lie to destroy you, even if it hurts their own family. 
6. God uses your trouble to shape and mold you for your destiny. 
7. Your dreams are a preview of your ultimate destiny.

Other Things to Consider

Make sure you file for unemployment.  I encourage you to explore your states website and learn about the possible benefits available to you.  We will discuss this in more detail as we continue our process to paid employment.

The next thing you should do is beef up your resume. Here are some good websites:  Resumes and Resume Writing Services, Purdue Online Writing Lab and monster.com

Until next "Working on Monday"...
photos via: detr.state.nv.net, virtualassist.net, benphoster.com, jesephkerski.com via google images