Kindness mistaken for weakness

I read an article that Shawn posted on Facebook earlier today, not an eye opening one but rather one that reinforces what I inferred to be true.

Read it here: http://lifehacker.com/the-company-you-work-for-is-not-your-friend-1692113529?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

The title of the article is " the coMpany you work for is not your friend". Despite how many good people you know in your company, unfortunately that title is true. Think about it, what do you work for at the end of the day? You're working for yourself because you have a house to pay for, a car, your wants and needs. So what makes you think that you have friends at the workplace ? Even if it is true now, there may come a time when people change and your friends leave you.
You may very well find out that your comfortable position in the company was the result of a boss who would take the punches and bullets for you. You, at the end of the day is your own best friend at work.

and Despite having friends, how much can they be there for you at work - they have responsibilities and their family to feed. At the end of the day, you are your only friend at work. I help many people at work but simply because i see value in doing it and while some people may not see that in me, thats simply because i may not think there is enough value to do so.

But what is more compelling is that people tend to get so comfortable at work. In my opinion (and supported by the article ) people stop selling themselves after they have a job. Thats a big no no - always be open to the market, make sure you know your experience is demanded or even sell your self within your conpany, you wont get that promotion if you dont ask for it.

The best time to look for a job is when you dont need a job. Why? because then you have options and your not making a decision based on the bad experience you are having at your current work place. Your making a decision objectively and not surrounded by emotions. I remember receiving a job offer when i couldnt wait to leave my previous company only to regret that decision.

Ill say this to my self, and to anyone who cares enough to read that never keep your self distant from the job market... After all, records have shown that people who know they are well wanted in the market performs better at work

price is what you pay and value is what you get

What does being rich mean to you? I remember seeing a quote by Chris rock saying that wealth has nothing to do with having alot of money. It is about having alot of options. before I started chasing a career, I used to aspire to have a lot of money, and then when I started working, I wanted to earn more money than the people around me. alot of times we think that by having more money you earn more respect. But maybe it isn't like that. I could say that after years of meeting new people, older people, smarter people, family people, and all sorts of people, at least I learned something. I don't learn alot directly from anyone, but usually as a result of observation and tryiNg. Being rich has indeed nothing to do with having alot of money. People never have enouth. They keep wanting more. So I learn something here, it's about the options you choose. Its not the amount of money (well it still is to an extent) but what you can forgo in return for something you want more of. If you want an expensive watch then be more prudent on everything else. It's not about buying what you can't afford but understanding what gives you more value In life. If buying a meal for your friends puts a smile on your face then you probably could cut down on luxury meals by yourself. It's not about being stingy, but understand yourself more. I know I could go to a faraway country, so I cut down on things like expensive coffee and cakes. I think that makes me happier. After all they always say a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.