Career Management: When The Music Stops
There are occasions when we want things to speed up, just so we can move forward. It might be the one-hour meeting that has turned into two, a four-hour long car ride, or getting out of the dentist chair. Life sometimes is like musical chairs. When the music stops, will you have a seat?
Playing The Game
As children, many of us played musical chairs. The anticipation of the stopping music meant you had to secure your spot. Your timing was important but the focus was on getting a seat.
We sometimes worry about time running out. We worry that we’ll come up short on the deadline, miss our connecting flight, or arrive at the store just two minutes after it locks its doors.
In other cases we might believe that time goes on forever.
We’ll start the exercise program next week, play with the kids after we mow the lawn, and visit with our parents at the next holiday event.
Then time runs out. It’s over and there isn’t any more time. When the music stops, will you have a seat?
Managing Your Career
The biggest thing I’ve noticed about people and their career is not the failed attempts. It is time running out. It might be the failure to get started, or equally bad is the quick start with little endurance. Patience is important and so is persistence.
You have to keep moving, anticipating the opportunity, and making sure that when the music stops you get your seat.
If we sense the anticipation and the energy of that anxious moment all that we can really do is be as prepared as possible. It is going to happen. We understand both the game and the rules.
When The Music Stops
Now might be the best time commit to your career, play with the kids, or visit your parents. You have to be prepared. Preparation requires your time and energy, when the music stops it might be too late.
Like it or not, we’re all playing the game. It is a game against time. The music won’t play forever.
When the music stops, will you be in the right spot?
– DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
