GM and Ford are laying off workers. The layoffs include production line, engineering and management workers. IBM has layoffs every year, even when they are expanding. State and federal governments have layoffs. The military has layoffs.
You are only safe if you train your brain.
One of my candidates got tired of having to upgrade his computer skills every 3 or 4 years so he studied massage therapy. Several candidates are getting their MBA’s. I push everyone to get certifications in their field. I once had a client who was a soldier in Iraq, and even he was able to continue his training.
Many people think their brain can stop when they graduate from high school or college. These people have totally missed the meaning of the “Commencement Ceremony.” Commencement means the beginning, not the end. It is the time to really start learning. It is the opening of broad new vistas of opportunities.
Oprah Winfrey said that the most important decision she ever made was to read two books each week. She could stop working today and retire with the 100’s of millions of dollars she has earned. Instead, she keeps on learning. Because she keeps on learning, she keeps on being interesting to watch on TV.
I knew a rodeo cowboy, a pro bull rider, who always impressed me. She kept learning new skills, and even got into law school.
Are you still feeding your brain or did it stop working as soon as you left school?
Something to do today
Decide on a plan to learn something fun and something useful. They may be the same thing. Get started.