When I was 18, I had an encounter that got me noticing the phenomenon of robots replacing jobs in our society. And the sad part is how easily the person in this story let it happen.I was a teenager busing tables part-time and collecting tips. They had just opened a branch of the bank I went to inside a local super-market near my work. “Great”, I thought. “Now I can just conveniently swing by on my way to work and deposit my money."Well, little did I know, things weren't going to be that easy. Every time (it seemed) I would walk in, there was always this one grumpy bank-teller who … [Read more...]
F-You Money & Talent – The Only Unemployment Insurance You Have
Recently a friend of mine was let go from his job.It was one of those situations where he worked at the same place for 11 years and worked his way up the ladder.Then, one morning, he was asked to come up to the front conference room. Without much of a reason or excuse, he was told he was done. Hit by a train that came out of no where.I’m always a little unsettled when I hear the news of someone I know and respect being let go from the job they've worked so hard at.Perhaps it's because it reminds me of just how vulnerable we all really are when it comes to this thing we call … [Read more...]
The Management Skills List – Do You Have What it Takes to Earn More This Year?
If one of your goals this year is to make more money at work or advance your career further, then consider if you’ve got what it takes to become a manager.Management is a funny gig ...I should know. I was a manager for many years.And even though I've switched jobs and am not currently in charge of anyone, I'm sure that I will be again some day as I carve out my new career path.Depending on your industry and how far you take things, managers can often make several times more compensation than their lowest paid employees.In fact, to illustrate how extreme this situation can … [Read more...]
A Better Alternative to Working Too Much
Ambition can be a good thing.That is … until it drives you INSANE because all you do is work – all of the time!All too often we make the mistake in our careers by having the notion that taking on more and more projects will convert proportionally to more income. But then we’re disappointed when all that happens is we end up working way too much and the whole thing just blows up in our face.Believe it or not, there’s a theory in economics that can help explain why this is an effort in vain. But as you’ll find out, where one door closes, another one can open.Let’s take a dive … [Read more...]
Do Grades Really Matter? What Really Counts When It Comes to Your Career
I was an A-student back in school. I worked very hard to get them. I knew that they were my ticket to something bigger and greater. At least that’s what I used to believe – until I realized that the only things bigger and greater were the ones I found on my own.Don’t think that that’s true? Then how is it that you and your colleagues can all be so diverse in your backgrounds and academics, yet you all do the same job. You probably all get paid roughly about the same too. In some instances the people who did worse in school are the boss or actually make more than you do.If that’s … [Read more...]
I Want to Be Your Personal Money Coach – A Free Giveaway
For years now I’ve had this idealistic vision in my head that someday when I reach financial freedom and retire early that I’m going to become a money coach. There’s just one problem … I’ve never actually been a money coach – to anyone ever.That creates a little bit of a situation for me. How can I really know if that’s what I want to do with the rest of my life if I’ve never actually gave it a try? What if I test it out and find that its not for me? What if I’m no good at it?Or more realistically - what if I find out all this (what I think is) great advice I have to offer is … [Read more...]
Make Sure You Know What You’re Getting Into Before Starting a New Career
Sometimes it happens. We think we know what we want to be when we grow up, and we make every honest effort to get there and fit that role.But then reality sets in. The job isn’t quite as glamorous as we thought it would be. The hours aren’t great. The pay or advancement opportunities aren’t really there. And all around everyone seems pretty miserable or complacent.Is this how you really want to spend the next 30 years of your life? Surviving?Fortunately starting a new career isn’t really as tough as some people think it is. In my career I’ve seen engineers leave to become … [Read more...]
How Being Successful Might Include Leaning Out From Work
What do you consider to be someone who’s “made it”?Does that phrase bring up images of young fit people in business suits smiling as they rush to the next meeting holding their cell phone to their ear and a Starbucks treat in the other hand?While this is often a popular stereotype seen on TV and the media, for those of us that actually make it there it can come with a lot of sacrifices that we might not even be sure (or even aware) that we’re willing to make.So ask yourself this: Why does being successful have to stem from only your job? Aren’t there other ways or other things you … [Read more...]