With so much uncertainty and high unemployment, many of us
are in a state of chaos. Because the media continues to report bad news, even
those with stable jobs are affected by the uncertainty. Therefore, no one is
immune. However, no one is stuck either.

On the one hand, it is easy to blame corporate America for
this debacle. At the same time, it is important to do
self analysis to see how
you may have contributed to any chaos you are experiencing.

When things are going well, it is easy to become complacent.
If you look at companies like IBM, they became complacent in the 1980s. As a
result, they went into a downward spiral. They were living off a past
reputation of tremendous success. In fact, there were no great innovations that
came out of IBM in the late 80s. By 1993, Lou Gerstner was brought in as CEO to
turn them around.

IBM is an example of what each of us does at some point in
our lives. We become complacent.

While the stock market was climbing in the early 2000s so
was the real estate market. Life was good. Companies were expanding globally
and there was money for everyone. During those good times, we forget to prepare
for the future. When, in actuality, things are going well, that is the time for
a company or individual to orchestrate a transformation.

With regard to IBM, Mr. Gerstner transformed IBM into a
services company, from a hardware corporation. That required many people to
develop new skills and competencies. In 2013, Gerstner’s strategy is still
working.

For a person, booming economies are the time to develop new
skills and competencies. If you are an accountant for example, that is the time
to develop sales or management skills. Both are marketable, especially when
combined with the technical skills of an accountant.

However, before you run out and start developing new skills,
you should have a vision for yourself and a plan to get there. Without it, you
are just reaching in the dark. Ask yourself questions like: what do I stand
for? What kind of future would I like? How long would I like to perform in that
capacity? Who do I want to be known as? With those kinds of questions, you will
have a better idea as to what actions to take.

Next, you should never pursue your future alone. You should
have at least one brainstorming partner or partners. That person should be
someone with whom you brainstorm throughout your career progress. That person
should be someone you respect and someone who will give you honest feedback. If
you chase your dreams as the Lone Ranger, you will most likely expend more
energy than is necessary and you will encounter many more blind spots. If this
person is your significant other, that would be the best of all worlds.

To sum it all up, if you are the same person year after year
doing the same exact job, you are fast becoming a dinosaur. Furthermore, you
will never be prepared for the imminent change that is always lurking around
the corner. Therefore, it is imperative that you start planning your
transformation today. And be sure to find a brainstorming partner who can
support you to think through the new future to which you are committed.

Good luck!  

What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to
write me about a specific topic, let me know.