Stepping Stone Jobs

What we name something matters.

It sets a tone that alters our attitude.

Give something a new name and the difference may seem insignificant or even trivial.

However, if it changes our attitude, it can amount to a very big change.

Recently, I heard the term "survival job."

I understood this to mean a job that is often part-time and unrelated to one's primary career focus. One takes such a job because one's previous position has been eliminated, out-sourced, down-sized, off-shored, or otherwise zapped.

I heard this term a few times and thought, "Why does the phrase 'hunker-down' come to mind?"

The term suggests an image of bunkers, flack jackets, helmets, and a sound track of voices shouting "incoming!"

That doesn't exactly give a warm, fuzzy feeling, does it?

Maybe we can't change the immediate reality of making ends meet as rapidly as we might wish, but we can change our attitude by some imaginative and empowering nomenclature.

Suppose a "survival job" becomes a "stepping stone job?"

What difference would that make?

Well, the whole notion of heaving a sigh of relief at getting through another day with body and soul in one piece changes.

Our focus is on where we are going and what we are learning in the process rather than braving another day in the wilderness.

After all, if are in this temporary situation anyway, why not make it a transition to something better?

Why make it sound like a reality TV show where the whole world is on the verge of voting us off the island and into a shark-infested bay?

It may be a small change, but it alters the internal landscape and engages the mind in a powerful way because it changes attitude.

And with a new attitude, we will do lots more than just survive.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 by Tony Papajohn.

Tony writes and speaks on success. Subscribe to his free SuccessMotivator e-zine at http://www.successmotivator.com.

tony@successmotivator.com

Look in the Mirror

Take a moment to step outside yourself. Now, be honest... Read More

Hiring the OverQualified Employee or Mining for Gold

I am having a hard time understanding why a valuable... Read More

5 Things You Need To Know Before Deciding On A Certification Training

The right certification trainingTrainings vary a lot when it comes... Read More

Listening for Interview Success

Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More

Overcoming the 7 Roadblocks Women with Families Face Making Career Changes

Family is the driving force of our lives. You need... Read More

Looking the Part

I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More

Closing the Gap on Your Career Goals

If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder... Read More

Bartending School Online- Earn Your Bartender Training From Home

Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on... Read More

Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response

The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply... Read More

Benefits of Maintaining a Career Portfolio

Have you ever tried to contact a past employer only... Read More

Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success

For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More

Resume Posting: Tips for Jobseekers

Recruiting firms, like most businesses today, must embrace technology in... Read More

Those Little Things

Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I... Read More

10 Ways to Speed-Up Your Job Search Effort

Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost... Read More

Why Bachelors Make Bad Decisions: Five Tips to Move from Reality Television to Your Career Change

The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More

Acceptance is the Answer to All Our Problems

Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More

What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans

A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More

How Long Does It Take To Write A Resume?

Many people can easily write a resume in just a... Read More

Are You Eking Out a Living, and Cant Get What You Want from a Job?

Many people are working at jobs they don't want and... Read More

Why You Should Never Complain About Former Bosses

You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions... Read More