Past Five

One Thing Not to Procrastinate

While every worker, hourly or salaried, is motivated by different things, I am having a hard time believing that so many people are taking so long to realize what is going on in the economy. Everyone may not follow the stock market; however, when companies are going out of business and the government is taking ownership stakes in others…I would think the people would start to realize how bad things are.

 

Well, I still hear people complaining in the elevator in my office building that they “can't wait until Friday”…and it's only Tuesday! This weekend, at my kids sporting activities, I had one parent tell me how sad they were that their spouse is working so many hours. I couldn't take it…I told her they are lucky they can continue being a one income household. The response was, “Do you think it is really that bad?” There are certain industries which will remain good: legal, education, health care…however, there are still a lot of poorly managed organizations which will not survive this economic downturn.  If you aren’t working harder and doing more to help your company make it through...don't be surprised when you are asked to leave. I was speaking with the CEO of a $30 million company last week, and I told him that his money would be better spent on an $80,000 employee who will work 24/7 than a mediocre $40,000 employee who he isn't seeing a return on. If you aren't contributing to the organization's bottom line, you are adding to the fears of management.

 

So, when I hear the barista complain about having to close down the Starbucks, I think there are a lot of people on the market soon (read: Financial Services) who might want that job at the coffee shop to pay the mortgage. When I hear my clients tell me they have a salesperson complaining about having to meet clients for dinner or make “extra” calls…I think, if you aren't bringing in revenues you're in trouble. It's time to look around your office, your company, your friends and realize that now is the time to hunker down and earn your keep. Your family will be there when the economy improves...make sure your job is too!

Work More, Save Your Money

I was reading the NY Times, and they quoted Mark Cuban's blog, blogmaverick.com, regarding his advice on the economy, saving money and working in a position/industry you are passionate about. How right is he. Save your money, think about your life as a business and learn your industry. You will never get ahead if you don't become an expert in what you do. It should become a hobby and a career, and you need to have a desire to get better faster...faster than your co-workers, faster than your competitors. If you don't think like you are running a business, you never will.

Look around you at the people who complain about the economy and cost of living. Watch them buying their Starbucks and their cigarettes. If you aren't looking at them and asking yourself why are they complaining when they are wasting money at that moment, then you aren't moving ahead of the competition. You need to think logically in order to move ahead of those around you. If you are worried about the cost of things and the economy affecting your company's ability to survive, simply ask yourself why people are leaving at 5 P.M. when there is business which can be closed with a little extra effort.You need to look around at what you want out of your life and your career, and put 100% into it. If you're going to wake up in the morning, you may as well give it your all!