It's (Miscalled) "Layoff Proofing Your Life" - It's Really Just Old-Fashioned Hustle + Boomer Parents' Frugality

"Multiple job? Large savings? Cutting down on spending? All of the above- what are you doing future proof job from layoffs?" - Blind, January 30, 2024 

Those Knowledge Workers who assumed they had employment-financial security in the bag are now accepting the paradigm shift: Their education and following the fundamentals of success (or what they used to be) entitle them to nothing. The current downsizing of their functions will probably accelerate with AI. For techies there might not be another Golden Age. The same for management consultants. 

So much for what used to guarantee a good living. Hustle is back and for brute survival, not just getting ahead. What I tell coaching clients who had lost their jobs is this: Grab sources of income, just about any kind. Then go on from there. Yes, I tell them, there is a "there," only it's different now.

In addition, as a society we should be circling back to boomer parents' extreme hesitation to spend money. Of course, that's not good for the US economy, which is primarily consumer-driven. But it is good for not winding up homeless or depleting one's parents' retirement nest egg. The billionaires and the millionaires will continue to spend. That will take care of things. 

Actually, that once-offensive word "cheap" is popping up in polite conversations. In Northeast Ohio residents proud of the decision to make a life here talk about how "cheap" everything is. Forget the fancy word "affordable." 



The term "free" is also a meme, as in going to Ohio's Lake Erie is "free," with no entrance fee for the beach, no parking expense. 

Meanwhile the line among collars - white, blue, pink - is blurring. Work is work. Just like the shame has gone out of being laid off so has much of the awkwardness in transitioning from corporate middle management to long distance truck driving. 

Some of this isn't new. Back in 2008 I coached axed young lawyers who had to take on non-law-related survival jobs to pay student loans. Most didn't balk. They were relieved to have income, any kind. At that time the average loan nut was $700 monthly. 

Some of those jobs, such as in journalism, residential leasing, grocery management-training and loss prevention, turned into career paths. They not only didn't return to practicing law. They didn't look back. 

Meanwhile law firm Paul, Weiss, which didn't resort to layoffs during that brutal 2008 - 2009 but had optimism that the market would pick up for it, developed unique branding for institutional self-confidence. Incidentally, currently it still hasn't laid off in what is a down time for law firms. You bet, it's hiring. I mention this because: You never know. There are pockets of well-paying Knowledge Work which you could be chasing. But meanwhile, put together income-producing sidelines. 

2024. You can transform the craziness of this time into unique opportunity. Jane Genova provides you with intuitive career coaching, Tarot readings and related communications. Complimentary confidential consultation.  (For appointments text/phone 203-468-8570 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)

 

Meanwhile, please get to know me:

 

https://tarotreadingsforcareers.blogspot.com/

https://janegenovaintuitivecareercoaching.blogspot.com/

https://makingyourpoint.blogspot.com)

 


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