Friday Might Be My Last Day Here

Friday Might Be My Last Day Here Recently I was talking to a working professional. Someone who is happy in her job, contributing to the organization, indeed, living the dream. This person is in a significant role, and if she left her organization would be in pain. As we were talking, she said something I dont hear enough, but I love to hear it (this is paraphrased): This Friday, or any Friday, could be my last day here.  What am I doing to prepare for that? Too often I talk with employed (even self-employed) people who are happy in their role and are neglecting personal career management. From personal experience I can tell you that ignoring the elephant in the room, and ignoring the writing on the wall, is a very, very, very bad career management strategy. Even if you are very busy at work, even if you are the most important person at the office (every one is replaceable, even YOU), even if things at the company seem to be going great, even if you just got a big bonus, even if you have a great relationship with the boss or owner, even if _____________ YOU MUST MANAGE YOUR CAREER! You must ask yourself: what am I doing for that Friday? That Friday will come.  It might be on a Monday, or over the weekend, but it will come. Friday Might Be My Last Day Here Recently I was talking to a working professional. Someone who is happy in her job, contributing to the organization, indeed, living the dream. This person is in a significant role, and if she left her organization would be in pain. As we were talking, she said something I dont hear enough, but I love to hear it (this is paraphrased): This Friday, or any Friday, could be my last day here.  What am I doing to prepare for that? Too often I talk with employed (even self-employed) people who are happy in their role and are neglecting personal career management. From personal experience I can tell you that ignoring the elephant in the room, and ignoring the writing on the wall, is a very, very, very bad career management strategy. Even if you are very busy at work, even if you are the most important person at the office (every one is replaceable, even YOU), even if things at the company seem to be going great, even if you just got a big bonus, even if you have a great relationship with the boss or owner, even if _____________ YOU MUST MANAGE YOUR CAREER! You must ask yourself: what am I doing for that Friday? That Friday will come.  It might be on a Monday, or over the weekend, but it will come.