I’m often asked what one should do when in a job position they don’t enjoy. Some say they would like to be promoted within the company to a position that would be more fulfilling and/or would pay better. Others would simply like to find a job at another company. In both cases, however, they feel stuck where they are.
While I’m sure there is lots of excellent advice to be provided in this regard, unfortunately, most of it is beyond the scope of my knowledge. I know of only one method of advancement. While I believe I understood this method rather intuitively by observing my Parent’s personal work ethic as owners of their business, the concept was crystallized for me the first time I read Wallace D. Wattles’ 1910 classic, The Science of Getting Rich.
He advised being “Larger than your present place.” In other words, in the same way that new species are formed only by organisms having “more life than can be expressed in the functions of its {present} plane,” by providing more in value than what you’re being paid to provide, opportunity will open up. Perhaps not in that company (though it often will), and probably not immediately, but it is much more likely to happen than if you simply “tread water.”
Recently I watched a major-league pitcher being interviewed. He is what’s known as a “middle-inning reliver. Perhaps the least glorious pitching position in baseball, it contains neither the adrenaline rush nor the glory of the roles of starter or closer, and it’s even a step below late-inning set-up. (Still, in my opinion, there are perhaps worse jobs on earth.) 🙂
His attitude was terrific. He simply said that while in this role he’ll do the very best he can to add value to the team and that, “When I prove my worth to the Manager, I’m sure I’ll get a shot at Closer.”
It reminded me of a local woman I know who is head-teller at her bank with aspirations for further advancement. She began as a regular teller but continually made herself available to take on extra assignments and help out wherever and whenever she could. And, she didn’t wait to be asked; she sought out the opportunities. As soon as the current head-teller left, she got the shot at “Closer.”
Has something similar ever happened to you or someone you know?
In Part Two, we’ll see what the best course of action is if, while you’re “stuck” in your present position, you’d either like to get a job somewhere else or even begin your own business.
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Great points Bob.As you very well said at the biginning everyone has a different point of view and ” lots of excellent advice to be provided in this regard” – as a rederect your mind coach – I would tell my clients – write down 10 things you enjoy or like about your job and focus on those for the next month and -you won’t believe how “Everything around and everybosy’s attitude will change” (had to use a little humour)… But the fact is when you change your attitude and the way you look at things – everyone around you has to change their ATTITUDE to meet yours” Positive Attitude and positive interactions are the key to success and great friends…
@LorenaHeletea
Yes, “Everyone Has to Start Somewhere”, is what I’m hearing. And that if you have what it takes, your time will come. As it is written, “time and chance happenth to them all”.
I remember working in the warehouse of a retail store, I worked hard and got to “3rd Key” where it paid more, managed others, etc…it was refreshing and it felt great after all that hard work.
Stand out, get noticed, take risks, and you’ll have a better chance of getting Advanced.
Thanks Bob.
It is said that the best things in life are free … hugs, love, praise.
However, I keep learning that successful people didn’t get where they are by doing nothing. They consistently did the “something” that was needed to get them there.
No one has to stay where they are forever if they do not want to. However, courage and a set plan backed with persistent action is what is taking my husband and I from where we are to where we want to be.
Look forward to the next post Bob.
Jennifer
http://jenniferwideman.com
Wow – I’m loving these comments, stories and suggestions. Thanks everyone, keep it up. I think people get much more out of the comments than they do from my original articles…and that’s fine with me. 🙂
Bob,
Excellent post, yet again. It reminds me of a chapter in this great book I read about a year and a half ago, called The Go-Giver written by two kind gentlemen.
If I remember and paraphrase correctly, it reminds me of one of the five Stratospheric Laws of Success, The Law of Value in which one gives more in use value than one requires in payment.
This Law consitently reminds me to grow myself and my skills larger, and to add more value to whatever interaction or business transaction in which I find myself. I always want to walk away from whatver interaction I’m in leaving the situation or person feeling better or receiving something of more value than before our interaction.
Sometimes, I’ve noticed, this can get challenging at work with people I have to interact with who are not so personally or professionally developed, or who are “closed”. The challenge for me is to not shut myself down and continue to offer value in the situation while making the person aware that my behavior does not allow them to walk all over me. One of my bosses once related a story in which he added to the conversation, “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness.” I’ve thought about that over the years and internalized that posture in dealing with folks, and it was good advice.
Thanks for consistently bringing relevant and useful topics to the business “table” so we can all share “food for thought” together.
Absolutely, Heather. You’re right on the mark both regarding the focus on providing value (I LOVE your third paragraph) and how you allow yourself to be treated by others. Just like your boss who said, “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness” I often find myself saying during interviews and live presentations, “Don’t mistake being a Go-Giver for being anyone’s doormat.” The idea is for both parties to obtain satisfaction. Allowing oneself to be mistreated or taken advantage of in any way is no more righteous than is doing that to someone else. Thank you for sharing with us, Heather.
Hi Bob,
Thank you SO much for another great blog post. Yes, sometimes based on experience or lack thereof you need to start somewhere. It doesn’t mean that you will be there forever, well let me take that back – it all depends on you. What you want from your life and what you make of it is based on your own desires to excel. In life, there will be challenges, obstacles and feelings of “I’m stuck” but you have the choice to create your life by design. By taking the proper steps, constantly learning, offering first class value to your customers, your organization and the people that surround you. You also, have to have passion for what you do and really love because without that it’s just a JOB and will never be a CAREER.
My advice for anyone who wants to move up the ladder of success in a company is find out who the “top producers” or find a great mentor that will guide them. Voice to your leader, that you would be interested interested in a leadership role or whatever the role is that you are interested. Have some chutzpah! I find that many people that are interested in advancement in corporations have never mentioned it to their leader – obviously you know if you are worthy of it based on your track record. In addition, don’t forget to have some faith and gratitiude for what you do have in your life. 🙂
With greatest regards,
Vanessa
Bob – I love your blog so much! Keep up the great work 🙂
In my life/work experience so far the incident that stands out the most to me is when I worked at our local sanitation company and was put on phones 1/2 day each day. To some it may have seemed a menial task, but it was exactly what I needed at the time and I truly embraced it and “loved” every person that called in. What resulted was many unsolicited calls to my boss to say what a wonderful girl you have answering phones. 🙂 It was very rewarding for me. I have since moved on to owning my own business and truly love what I do.
Vaness and Kimberly; excellent advice. Thank you. Kirsty, thank you for your encouraging words.
Hi Bob,
Excellent article.
Yes, that story reminds me of my boyfriend’s story.
He started out as a driver for a Bank manager for the region because the regular driver was ill.
He did that job for a while until one day they needed someone for a meeting in Milan, and the person concerned couldn’t go, so Cristhian, the driver, was asked to attend the meeting.
He is now managing his branch and doing an excellent job. Why? Because he loves getting the best results for his customers, and does so in a way that is a fit for the bank!
Thanks for such a thought provoking article. Love your style of writing with honesty.
Roisin O’Connor.
Hi Roisin, thank you for sharing that great story. Things like that happen constantly, and it’s people such as Cristhian(?) who prove the point over and over again. Love it!!
We decide whats best for us and move on, if you have gone through life, then you know what to do.