Up in the Air
Up in the Air
Last weekend I had the chance to see the latest movie by director Jason Reitman, Up in the Air. The movie has George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert traveling around the country letting people go. Of course the movie has a plot much bigger then just laying off people, but I could not help overlook the part about all of the people that did get laid off.
I am sure that as they were let go, what each person said was true (sure the writers generalized, but still the point is critical): after years of working for the company people were caught off guard as they were dismissed from their jobs. Out of the many people fired (I lost count as to how many), only one person seemed to use it as a stepping-stone to something better. For many, their whole self-identity was wrapped up in their company.
Of course that is what we all do. We dedicate ourselves to our jobs, and our self worth becomes tied to the company — the very company that will lay you off at the drop of a hat.
But what about you, are you ready for the ax? Do you have savings to hold you over? Are you planning on going to work at another company? Hard to do in today’s economy. Of course, if you are over 50 like me, then finding a job that pays well could be nearly impossible.
So what about starting your own business? I am guessing you have thought about it, or you would not be reading this blog post. But there is fear in starting your own business; you have to depend on yourself to earn the money you need. But let me ask you a question: are you using all of your talents to the best of your abilities in the job you have today? Usually that question comes from the place of uncertainty and change; not when you are feeling secure and supported.
In the Bible, at two points in the gospel there is the story about the landowner who gave money to three servants. We all know the parable, and a common interpretation centers around using your talents to your fullest. My question to myself – and to you — is this: do you believe you are using all of your talents the best you can? Think about it, if more people started to get excited about what they did, get passionate about what they do, where would we be as a country?
Especially in today’s world, we need everyone to succeed as far and as high as they can. Sure, you can sit on the sidelines, work for that job that pays a little, but today we need you to stretch and succeed. If you succeed, then by the very nature of success, you will be an inspiration to others. Please have faith in yourself and get started. We need you.
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Comments
I totally agree. Performance-based compensation that you get when you own a business is the ultimate motivation to stretch yourself as far and as high as you can go. If more people started their own businesses it would help our economy get back on it’s feet faster.
Give yourself a chance to be financially independent! Start your own business today.
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