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