If you are waiting for layoffs and think there is nothing MUCH you can do, think again.

3 Questions to Take You to a Better CaREER Position

You know the company is not doing very well as before. You have heard from your colleagues that a counterpart in another country was hit by layoffs.

The first time you heard about it, you felt worried. After hearing similar news again and again, nothing happened to your function.

You then told yourself it might not happen to you so soon and stopped worrying about it.

Over time, you worked as usual and forgot that. You think it may not happen so soon since it hasn't happened for so long, sometimes for years.

Until it ends up like the wolf story, it hits you suddenly one day when you least expect it. Just like the boy who cried wolf: so many false alarms that when the real one came, nobody (including you) was ready.

Does it sound similar to your situation?

What is this position giving you?

If you are in this 'Wait for Layoff' career position, my guess is you probably have a good title, high pay, and under a big company name.

You may find your job offers decent exposure and learning opportunities. And you enjoy working with your colleagues and manager.

You master your job, and sometimes you even feel you can handle your tasks single-handedly.

It’s a DREAM JOB in general. Who doesn’t like it?

The comfort of all these things is exactly why people fall into the waiting-for-layoffs mode.

It’s like a no-brainer to stay and hold onto it until we can’t.

What are you actively giving away, actively and passively?

While you are waiting and forgetting you could be in the layoff queue, you are choosing NOT to look for better opportunities that are better aligned with your VALUES and POTENTIAL.

That’s what you are actively giving away when you are in this position.

The greater impact is what you passively forgo behind the scenes.

Your passive waiting means you are granting the company the consent to take control of your career timeline.

It sends you a message that you are settling for less personal growth in securing for more comfort.

If you are in a situation where you don’t like your manager or feel your work projects violating with your values, you suffer more due to internal emotional conflicts.

These may make you feel disappointed in who you are becoming.

The biggest discomfort isn’t the uncertainty outside. It’s the misalignment inside.

What ELSE CAN YOU Do?

We get carried away easily by life (and by phones).

If you think it’s important to change and prepare better for your future, grab a piece of paper and write down your thoughts about three things:

Under this 'Wait for Layoff' position,

1. What do you get?

2. What do you give away actively and passively?

3. What risks are you taking both professionally and personally?

Looking at your position in a broader perspective now, do you still think it is where you want to be?

If not, what do you want to CHANGE? And what is the first SMALL ACTION you can take to recalibrate your direction?

Waiting for layoffs does not have to be like waiting for an unlucky (or lucky) draw. It can be meaningful when you are clear about your intentional choices.

If this position does not sound like where you are at, check out the article about the 4 career positions senior leaders need to know right now.

Or, leave comments to share which career position you are in so that it may help others to navigate this challenging time.

Hope this article inspires you. If it does, do share with others because

~ WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS ~