Five Tips to Survive Unemployment: The Lifeboat Metaphor
There are a bunch of people out of work right now and more will be joining their ranks as the cutbacks continue. I get calls from people who think I have some magic mojo to help them get a job. I only have one piece of advice that I know works every time.
Visualize that your ship has gone down and you and your family are in a life boat at sea. Think of your personal resources as the food and drink that is stored in that lifeboat. Logic dictates that there is no way of knowing when you will be rescued. The only sane thing to do is conserve your resources to make them last as long as possible. So, follow the metaphor a little more….
Augment Food and Water
Add to your income by getting a part time job, consulting or by staying at home with the kids if it is easier for your mate to get one.
Watch Out for the Elements
Try to keep yourself healthy to be able to work and not pay medical bills.
Keep Watch for Rescue
You must maintain a positive attitude. If you give up, it will be self-fulfilling.
Talk to Other People in the Life Boat
They are as fearful as you are. Talking will keep you from feeling isolated.
Everyone Gets Seasick
Don’t be prideful; when you are down, ask for help.
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December 11th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Well put and very timely, unfortunately. Nothing is worse than being out of work in tough times, but everyone seems to go through it at some point in their career – perhaps many times. You and your colleagues thoughts are very helpful. Thank you.
December 11th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Well stated. Succinct and poignant. Thanks for sharing this!
December 11th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Great metaphor, Tony. Is there any end in sight to this recession?
I hope I get to work in one of those economic boom times. You know, like you did in the 80′s.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Roland, you are so kind! When I got out of grad school in the 60′s there was a boom. Most of us grads had already been in the service so we tended to get preference over those who had yet to serve.
Light at the end of the tunnel? We are busy in interactive, health care and shopper marketing. The search business is a leading indicator; I will yell when things get hot.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Great post! How about…
Row like mad: The hardest workers are often the “luckiest” at “finding” new employment
March 14th, 2009 at 1:44 am
I love your metaphor! I also relate it to Adventure Racing, which is a multi-discipline race requiring navigation and team work, but also individual strength and fortitude. I looked back to my racing days while being out of work and kept reminding myself to stay on target to my next checkpoint on the map. Sometimes when you feel lost you tend to lose all direction, but going back to the original chart of how to get from point A to point B reminded me to ask all the right questions of myself. Do I have the right Map? The right Directions? Enough supplies? The Courage to admit that I am lost? The Guts to ask for help or change direction if needed? Determination to get there…where ever that may be is what’s required…in all areas of life. Godspeed to all of us…let’s help each other get through these times!
March 14th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Karen,
Thank you for reading the blog and posting a comment. I was struck by part of your response. How good are we at admitting that we are lost and then asking for help to find the way.
I find that it takes an amazing degree of self assurance to admit I am wrong, particularly if another person points it out. The art of listening is very elusive. There is so much noise that I create. It is hard to get quiet.
Thanks,
Tony