Stop Looking for a Job and Find an Opportunity

A few weeks ago a dear friend of mine called in somewhat of a panic. Her company had just been acquired by another one and the operational team of the new parent company would be evaluating the entire team. Within 90 days they would decide who would stay and who would receive the left foot in the rear end out the door.

Now put yourself in that person’s place…either you can stay and rise to the occasion, or you can join the pessimists and whiners who predict the end of the world as they see it.

I suggested to my friend that she put on her best clothes, show up early, smile, always raise her hand to answer any questions, and be willing to pitch in and work any late hours. Is this brown-nosing? No, it’s called “loverage!” This means, “I love my brilliant opportunity (new name for job) so much that I am willing to leverage my knowledge, skills, and brand passion to win a permanent spot on the team.” There are times when you simply have to prove yourself all over again.

Wherever you are right now in life – employed, unemployed, underemployed, happy or bored – decide now to look at everything in your life as a brilliant opportunity. An organization’s stock in you rises or falls as you respond to challenging circumstances and character-building moments. Winston Churchill once said, “To every person there comes that special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder to do a very special thing unique to him. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared for the work (opportunity) that would be his finest hour.”

You are not working a job; you are leveraging a brilliant opportunity.