The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty, not knowing what comes next. (LeGuin)
Success isn’t permanent, and failure isn’t fatal. (Ditka)
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. (London)
Here is what happened to me:
Our company made a record profit. The industry was booming. The company was sold for an unbelievable amount because its future was so bright.
95% of the employees were laid off by the end of the next month . We were in a boom no one thought was a bubble. The bubble burst. The company had to lay off almost everyone. I lasted until the end of the next month.
10 years later I was employed by a huge computer company. The world was good. This was a permanent job. I had been there 9 years. I was safe.
Then I got a letter from a friend at corporate headquarters. There were going to be layoffs in 3 months. I asked my bosses. They denied it. My contact said, “I read the memo.” I quit for a new job one week before the layoffs were announced.
What has happened to permanent employment?
Permanent employment does exist. It exists in your skills, networks and planning.
Union negotiations, trade laws and employment contracts are all useless against the tides of change. Your guarantee of permanent employment comes only through your own efforts and flexibility. Permanent is what YOU bring to the table.
Even people who have been in the same company for 20 years have switched careers 3, 5 or 10 times. During my 9 years at EDS I had 4 very different job paths in 9 years.
Look at where you are. Prepare for the changes that absolutely will come. Learn new skills. Pay for your own training if you have to. Get certifications. Pay for the tests yourself if your company won’t. Get trade magazines for your specialty and industry. Bring ideas to the table where you work.
The world is changing. You can either benefit from the changes or lose everything you have.
Permanent success means constant change. Make your job permanent, though your career changes.
Something To Do Today
List what you can do to become a “Permanent” employee. Meaning you always have a job.