Career Suicide

A woman in an office (We will call her Christy) sits at her desk, staring blankly at the computer screen mumbling to her self about how a spread sheet will not open and her clients are dropping like flies.

"Hey Joe, do you have a second she asks?" "Sure, what's up?" I did not realize it at the time as I had just began the job two weeks prior, but those three little words opened me up for a plethora of ranting and raving about everything from company policy to the spreadsheet she couldn't open, closing with her tour of her "worst clients" portfolio. I felt a little rude, but I had to cut her off. Making and excuse about attending a new hire meeting, I slowly backed away nodding my head saying things like, "I hear ya" and "how about that," smiling all the while.

When I got a chance to get away from this black hole of disgust and angst, I made up my mind that I would not ever subject someone to that type of cancerous negativity. That conscious decision has given me a chance to observe those people who always seem to have an issue with work, more specifically they often have performance issues.

Observing Christy and others like her, I have found they usually share a specific trait.

They seem to talk about the bad more than the good. In some cases they truly don't believe their is anything to be positive about while at work. Every little thing that from, "did you just hear that phone call, that guy was a jerk," or "I hate having to fill this report out," to the big things like openly blasting management at meetings or having an us-against-them mentalities.

There is a reason I use the word cancerous when describing this behavior. It spreads, like wild fire, threatening to engulf anyone who has a bad day and driving those who have positive attitudes away, including clients and potential sales. While every call doesn't have to be "chummy" but the thought everyday has something good to offer can help change the slightest tone. Remember Christy complaining about her clients dropping like flies?

Ever notice the people who are successful always seem at ease even when they have a full schedule? I know what you are saying, and they are not at ease because they are doing well. They are relaxed because they know that no matter what happens, if they do the best they can do, they will be OK...They are controlling what they can and letting the small stuff go.

Here is a secret. If you get fired for doing the best you can, than it is not the job for you. Again, I hear you out there, and I will say it again, IF YOU GET FIRED FOR DOING THE BEST YOU CAN it is not the job for you. Of course doing the best you can do is not just saying you are doing the best you can but actually doing the best you can. How hard do you prospect? How many real calls do you make? Real calls being calls that you actually speak to someone who can make a decision. How many times do you roll over for someone who says they don't want to purchase that product or renew that account?

There are few things we can control in this world but we can control our attitude and our effort, as long as you worry about those two things, you will find success and employers will find you.