Be bold to succeed

Fear seems to rule the roost in the job market these days. Fear of losing a job, fear of not finding a job, fear of being passed over for a promotion, fear of wasting time in a boring job. Fear, fear, fear. Well, I say man up (or woman up), stop being afraid and do something about it.

Remember that bully from the schoolyard, the bogeyman who lives under your bed, that high diving platform in the pool? They all had one thing in common. When they boldly and assertively confronted you, they lost control of you and you gleefully moved on to the next thing.

But somehow we lose our charm when it comes to facing our workplace fears, fueled, I think, by the high level of risk that comes from the source of our income, health benefits, and general safety. But this fear is counterproductive and keeps us paralyzed in inactivity. And because we are afraid, we tend to keep our heads down and play defensive. And we lose. I like this strategy for squeezing sand. The more you hold on, the more it slips away.

Ironically, in the world of work, keeping your head down is the best way to shoot. Especially at times like this, when “downsize” is the rule of the day. And it’s not just a bad strategy for keeping a job. It elicits the kind of shyness that makes you mix with the wood when it comes to landing that new job or promotion you’ve always wanted.

The same strategy that worked so well as a child will serve you well as an adult. If you are concerned about your work circumstances, confront them directly. Be bold and stand out. Intensify the challenges that others avoid. Aggressively develop your skills. Ask your boss for feedback. If you’re not happy with your current situation, find one that’s more aligned with your skills, interests, and passion.

I can’t tell you how to do it, just that you have to do it. Now. Get in the game and make something happen.