Stepping Stone Jobs
What we name something matters.
It sets a tone that alters our attitude.
Give something a new name and the difference may seem insignificant or even trivial.
However, if it changes our attitude, it can amount to a very big change.
Recently, I heard the term "survival job."
I understood this to mean a job that is often part-time and unrelated to one's primary career focus. One takes such a job because one's previous position has been eliminated, out-sourced, down-sized, off-shored, or otherwise zapped.
I heard this term a few times and thought, "Why does the phrase 'hunker-down' come to mind?"
The term suggests an image of bunkers, flack jackets, helmets, and a sound track of voices shouting "incoming!"
That doesn't exactly give a warm, fuzzy feeling, does it?
Maybe we can't change the immediate reality of making ends meet as rapidly as we might wish, but we can change our attitude by some imaginative and empowering nomenclature.
Suppose a "survival job" becomes a "stepping stone job?"
What difference would that make?
Well, the whole notion of heaving a sigh of relief at getting through another day with body and soul in one piece changes.
Our focus is on where we are going and what we are learning in the process rather than braving another day in the wilderness.
After all, if are in this temporary situation anyway, why not make it a transition to something better?
Why make it sound like a reality TV show where the whole world is on the verge of voting us off the island and into a shark-infested bay?
It may be a small change, but it alters the internal landscape and engages the mind in a powerful way because it changes attitude.
And with a new attitude, we will do lots more than just survive.
About The Author
Copyright 2004 by Tony Papajohn.
Tony writes and speaks on success. Subscribe to his free SuccessMotivator e-zine at http://www.successmotivator.com.
Latest News
Wall Street Warfighters Foundation Selects First Wounded Vets for ... MarketWatch - "During their military careers, Staff Sergeant Jones and Master Sergeant Holmes demonstrated every day that they are disciplined, loyal, responsible leaders ... |
![]() Voice of America | When One Job Isn't Enough LongIslandPress.com, NY - Lloyd Staffing offers temporary, contract and full-time employment services on a regional and national basis. Send your career-related questions to ... The Job Hunt: Despite Slowing Economy, Older Workers Continue Job ... |
Cagle announces Lanier Charter Career Academy funding Access North Georgia, GA - The academies are unique centers of learning that provide Georgia's high school students with exceptional pathways to rewarding jobs, great careers and an ... |
Recession-proof your career - Employment expert offers job ... MyWebTimes.com, IL - ... understandable to be concerned about employment, there are steps workers can take to help them be more indispensable and “recession-proof” their career. ... |
Universities key to Michigan’s economic recovery Detroit Free Press, United States - ... but now many universities are in tune with emerging employment trends. Educators can provide invaluable guidance for workers seeking new career paths. ... |
‘Brain drain’ grant supports effort to prepare students for ... University of Indianapolis, United States - A substation of the university’s Office of Career Services will focus on employment opportunities for older students who have returned to higher education ... Butler to Use Grant to Deal With "Brain Drain" |
![]() Boston Globe | Losing jobs in unequal numbers Boston Globe, United States - (Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe) By Robert Gavin The careers of Neal Boyle and Scott Hacker couldn't be more different. Boyle, whose education ended ... |
Sara Boyns named director of law firm The Salinas Californian, CA - We welcome information and photos regarding people, events and other aspects of Salinas-area business, including housing, careers and personal finance. ... |
Applied Marketing Science Research Study Instrumental in ... PR Web (press release), WA - Thus far, MIT has graduated two classes from the program, and nearly all have found suitable employment within their field. According to Jenny Stine, ... |
State agency posts personal data online Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - For 19 days in October, the sensitive personal information of at least 250000 Floridians was posted on a state government employment agency Web site, ... |
Resources
-
Sorry there are no resources available at this time

