April 09 Success!Ezine-Don't Be Foolish In Fallen Economy

E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Consulting

Success!Ezine
Volume 6 Issue 4 -- April 2009
DrCarolWebster.com
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved

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E. Carol Webster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist consultant in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Feel free to call or e-mail for more information.

Dr. Webster is author of Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There and The Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You!

Feature Article

Don’t Be Foolish In Fallen Economy

E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2009

Don’t let April Fool’s catch you being foolish about your job. In this bad economy, you can be out of work in an instant, so don't make waves. Put up with your gripes about the job for now. Be thankful that you’re employed and do your best to stay that way.

Get Along With Your Boss

Sure, your boss gets on your nerves but do your best to deal with it. This is not a time for whining or for making a big production about all the things you don’t like about your job. You can bet that your boss is uptight about the flux in the organization caused by the recession and is probably even more ornery and intolerant than usual. Don’t add to his or her troubles by becoming a problem. Instead, be a problem solver and a stabilizing influence, rather than an underminer. Though he or she may not say so, your boss will appreciate you for this.

Be A Team Player

Like your manager, your co-workers are probably uptight and out of sorts too. Everyone is stretched thin because of company layoffs and cutbacks, and resentment abounds. Some may act out by failing to pick up the extra work, but don’t be one of them. Help the team perform as well as it can and add your good humor and spirit of optimism to the process. In this downsizing climate, make sure your department looks great and worth keeping around.

Rein In Your Spending

Whether it’s the company’s money or your own, be mindful of the need to contain costs. You might be accustomed to dining at the finest restaurants while on business travel and staying at the best hotels, but opt for less extravagant choices now. Do your part to keep your company profitable to avoid a freeze on all opportunities. Similarly, watch your personal spending. Monitor how much you’re squandering each day. Build your cash reserves so that you have a better cushion if you’re told that you’re the next one to be let go.

This is a time to be prudent. You may not be thrilled about your current work situation, but at least you’re working so do your best to deal with it. Tomorrow may bring a better economic outlook and opportunities for change, but today be grateful for what you have now.

About the Author:
Dr. E. Carol Webster is a clinical psychologist consultant in Fort Lauderdale, FL and is author of
Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There and The Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You!

Ask Dr. Webster...

Dear Dr. Webster: I feel so guilty. My career is soaring but all my friends and family are getting laid off. I want to throw a party to celebrate my success but don’t know if this is a good idea. What do you think?

-- Shining About Success

Dear Shining About Success: Congratulations on your great success. You deserve to feel happy and proud of yourself, so do tell your loved ones about your achievement. You also deserve to celebrate. But you’re right to question whether this is the best time to throw a self-congratulatory party when everyone around you is wrestling with contrasting feelings of loss and worry. While some might enjoy a reason to escape their unhappiness by attending the party, they also would probably feel pressure to recognize your accomplishment with a gift, for example, (even if you insist that they not do this) when this is the worst time for them to spend money they don’t have. Be sensitive to this, as well as to the fact that they’re probably feeling rather bummed out and self-preoccupied at this point.

Do your celebrating with coworkers or others who are on the fast track with you. Get more involved in your professional association’s activities where your new title and status will be broadly acknowledged and lauded. This will give you the kudos you deserve, connect you to those who can fully enjoy your accomplishment right now, while giving your usual support network time and space to deal with the tough times they are experiencing at the moment. If you still want to give a party, do so to introduce your unemployed friends and relatives to your well-connected associates who may be able to help them find work. They’ll all certainly applaud you for that!

--Dr. Webster

Got a Question?

Ask Dr. Webster

Success Motivator

You face reality, not the lights.
The lights go off as quickly as they go on.

-- James Baldwin

Success Tip

DIFFICULT AND EXTREME BOSSES AT A GLANCE

Level 1: Difficult Bosses
Operate from a predominant fear or belief.

The Avoider
Fear: Confrontation of any kind.
Remedy: Come up with your own solutions and drive the process.

The Shoot-the-Messenger
Fear: Receiving difficult information.
Remedy: Meet and communicate regularly so there are no surprises.

The Sacred Cow
Fear: Being exposed as incompetent.
Remedy: Share the spotlight. Learn how to work them into your plans.

The Charming Cheating Liar
Fear: If they play by the rules they won’t win.
Remedy: Make good deals for yourself.

Level 2: Extreme Bosses
Incapable of feeling empathy for anyone but themselves. You are in a no-win situation…

The Controlling Egomaniac
What you have to accept: You will never be allowed to shine.

The Absentee
What you have to accept: He or she doesn’t care and won’t show up for the business.

The Unpleasable
What you have to accept: He or she cannot be pleased and will always find something to be unhappy about.

The Credit Stealer
What you have to accept: He or she feels no remorse about taking credit for other people’s work.

From the book:

Working with You Is Killing Me

by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster

Warner Business Books, New York, 2006

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E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Consulting
DrCarolWebster.com
954.797.9766
Ezine@DrCarolWebster.com

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for obtaining direct professional help.

Disclaimer: The information on this web site is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for obtaining direct professional help.

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