About two weeks ago, our CEO announced a giant resizing of the company. They were about to cut off over half of our headcount. Everyone and everything was in limbo since.
Last Thursday, we got confirmation about our employment and I, along with some of the most important people in the company were terminated.
I’ve had a few days to think.
It’s now 9 pm on a Sunday, I am in front of my laptop with two glasses of wine deep, and three thoughts are running laps around my head.
Ruthlessness
Even amid this pandemonium, I respect the business’s decision to lay off employees. My relentless optimism would like to believe, that no boss likes firing their employees unless it’s the last resort.
Every business wants to be profitable in the capitalistic world, and this major company resizing just happens to be their next step.
It’s ruthless.
Just like you should be.
Let’s face it, most of our revenue comes from our day jobs. You already know how important passive income is, but have you tried maximising your income from your day job?
Corporates love it when candidates have no idea what they’re worth; to them, it’s cost savings. Unfortunately, the grand picture (getting corporates to have integrity) is way beyond any of our capabilities.
In the meantime, your ruthlessness is determined by how you can’t sit around and wait for the increment to come to you. It includes, upskilling, learning how to negotiate, and getting better offers.
The world is more competitive today than ever.
I see ruthlessness as a survival skill.
Skill compounding
As an online writer in the finance corner, I am slightly disturbed by the number of headlines that go: “5 Passive Income Methods That Take Zero Effort.”
If you need to make quick money, then yes, please go ahead. But, if you’re looking for long-term growth, STAY THE FRICK AWAY from them.
All these NFT, Bitcoin, and TikTok millionaires made us think chasing the hottest trends is like printing cash. In reality, when you chase these gold rushes, you’re diving into a career with an expiry date. Each time after it expires, you’re left with nothing and have to start another one from zero again.
Whereas for a career built upon skills and knowledge, the job is bound to get easier with practice. These experiences and muscle memory cannot be stolen or imitated, that’s why they’re rare, and hence, expensive.
You have the option to be a premium product in the capitalistic world.
Avoid chasing hype.
Be a good friend
A few months ago, I had a colleague who helped me onboard into this company. He is an incredibly capable, smart, and meticulous guy who was held down by office politics.
Of course, the best ones are always the ones that got away. He resigned not long after.
We exchanged contact before he left and haven’t spoken since.
Until recently.
He told me how he landed a role as a head of marketing and have a guaranteed offer from the company if I were to say yes. This is all thanks to having built a good relationship when we were colleagues.
Give a shit about people and they will remember you.
I reject the idea of a strictly exclusive relationship at work and will forever advocate for making friends at work, even if you’re doing it for selfish reasons.
The corporate machine wants us to think employees are mere means of production. It wants you to forget that your colleagues are humans first and employees second.
Don’t let it.
Peers aren’t your competition. They’re your allies.
In times of trouble, they’re your support system. In times of glory, they’ll bring you unplanned dividends in the form of referrals and new opportunities.
Final thought before bed, lol
I wish things were different in this world, but things can change quicker than you can find a solution. A leading company can go bust in just two or three months.
Take care of yourselves.
And let’s see what’s next in my journey! =)
Can't wait to hear what's next on your journey!
Best of luck, Marcus