3 Ways to Increase Your Job Security
Jul 01, 2020
Do Not Worry About Losing Your Job--Focus on Enhancing It
If you keep worrying about your job, you will keep playing defense instead of offense on the business field. One of my mentors told me, “The best defense is a good offense.” So, let us review three behavior changes you should use in your strategy for a good offense. First, however, I will list what I hope are no-brainer things not to do.
This week’s blog was inspired by 2 Thessalonians 3:12, “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” and Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Read on for some advice that can produce unusually reliable results.
First What Not to Do!
Do not tear other people down to try to make yourself look better. It simply does not work in the long run. You will eventually get the reputation of a terrible team player and quite selfish. Do not take all the credit for something. First, God gets the credit. Second, others helped you get where you are today – like your mother, father, colleagues, customers, and former boss. Do not eat up your day with complaining, for it will zap your productivity. Last, do not spend time on anything negative you cannot change for you are wasting your time instead of using it and your talents for the positive. Move on.
Three Actions of Good Offense
Action #1 - Get a Mentor: We have two blogs on mentorship that should be extremely helpful. “How Mentors Supercharge Your Career” and “How to Pick the Right Mentor”. These two blogs will help get you a higher-level advocate, coach, and someone to trust in your personal and professional development. Your odds of job security and promotion will increase significantly.
Action #2 - Make Your Boss Look Good: Like it or not, much depends upon your relationship with your boss. One action to take is always think how you could make your boss look good. You will reap rewards by doing this. 1) If she is an up-and-coming leader, you can attach yourself to her so that you will follow in her footsteps as a dependable, trusted, and respected colleague. 2) She may offer you challenging and interesting assignments first – you can have more impact. 3) Do not confuse this approach with just buttering up your boss. What I am asking you to do is far more substantive.
Action #3 - Give Others Credit: God should get the glory for all that we do. At the same time, we should deflect praise from us and compliment others on the team for their arduous work and creativity. First, we should care more about what God thinks of us than others do. Second Thessalonians 3:12 tells us to work quietly. If we are working heartily and for the Lord (Col 3:23-24), others will notice our joy, effectiveness, dependability and might want what we have. Hopefully, you will see the opportunities to share the Good News that we have. One of my clients is leaving the ministry because he sees many more opportunities in the Marketplace to share and influence given his aptitudes.
Conclusion
How we glorify God through our work starts with our perspective. Our desires and eyes should not be of this world but should be on God. However, we can work heartily, praise God and others for positive results, learn from our seniors, and spend our time trying to improve the status quo. Worrying, especially without trusting the Lord, will not get you anywhere but down. It is time to take positive steps to improve your prospects for His glory. It is time to play good offense.
Charlie Haines
