Create Your Own Job Security

Because of the acceleration of change, many traditional standards of job security are not applicable to the current workplace environment. When old structures break up, there is often a time of chaos when more openness is created in teh organization.

In the past, security came from being at the center of the organization, not from taking chances or rocking the boat. Now, security comes from being at the edges -- where the organization must relate to other groups. This is where learning and innovation take place.

You can create personal security in a changing world of work by taking the following steps:

1. Expand your boundaries.

Learn about what other departments are doing, how other teams operate. When you listen across different parts of the company and interpret one group's needs to another, you become the "glue" that holds the bricks together.n n 2. Expand your role.

Look for work that needs to be done, whether it falls under "your job description" or not. Do not become constrained by your role, if you can contribute more. Go where the problems are, where there is much to do and not enough resources to do it. Those are the places you can add value.

3. Expand your skills.

Do not put all your eggs in one basket. If you only have one skill, you can be at risk. With multiple skills, you can shift the balance as things change. Mixing activities allows you to refocus as the environment changes. Keep learning and challenging yourself. Become comfortable in being uncomfortable and stretching.

4. Expand your flexibility.

Someone once said that doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity. People often get stuck in a failed solution -- they do the same thign harder, louder, stronger, softer, longer than before, even if it did not work. Do not stay stuck. Move on. Too often people would rather stay stuck than risk doing something new.

5. Expand your network.

Make it a point to meet and establish connection with someone new every day, within your company, or a vendor, someone on the street, etc. Find out what their needs are, what makes them tick, what gives them joy. Then discover (or CREATE) a way to serve them. For no reason, other than your desire to be a contribution to them. It might be as simple as being an unconditional and generous listener. It might be as courageous as telling them what no one else wants to say, but they need to hear. It might be a thoughtful card on their desk. Whatever it is, find a way to serve people. Everyone gives to a giver.

6. Expand your finances.

Do whatever you need to do to create a reserve account to hold 3-6 months living expenses. You can do that in several ways: a) Save 10% of your income in a money market, interest bearing account until you reach your goal, b) have a garage sale, ask people to donate items that you can offer for sale, and put the proceeds in a money market, interest bearing account, c) Write down a list of your monthly regular expenses AND those other money leaks (like your $4 daily coffee at Starbucks, etc.). See where you could eliminate certain things or at least cut them down. Save the money left over into your reserve account. Do all three and you'll have three months expenses saved in no time!

7. Expand your vision.

Remember that you are not your job, or your career, you are not even your gifts and talents. You are bigger than that. You are the container in which those things exist. So should you find yourself shifting careers, looking for another job, etc., make sure that all you do is in alignment with your ultimate vision for yourself. What is it, by the way? What is a vision for your life that if you were to accomplish it, you'd die knowing you lived a life of no regrets? Answer THAT, and you'll be a master at your own life, no matter what changes come your way.