Reality Check v. Living in Denial

By Joel Block

A friend of mine was sure that he would be losing his job before too long. He knew that it was time to craft a resume and contact headhunters. He knew that it was time to make other arrangements. The company he worked for was making dramatic changes and reshuffling departments, and he knew intellectually that it was only a matter of time before his department was reshuffled, too, and, as a late 40-something gentleman, he would be cast aside.

But even though he "knew" this, he didn't believe that the time would actually come.

It is the nature of some human beings to sit on their hands and be in denial - and that's what my friend did. Before long, it was his turn on the chopping block.

The four months between when he got an inkling that he was probably going to be let go and the time when it actually happened would have been a great time to put his ducks in a row. Since he had a heads-up that his job was likely on the line, he had an opportunity to act first. Instead, although he got a six-month severance package, he had to use five months of it while he searched for a new job. Had he rejected the state of denial he'd been in, he could have pocketed a much larger number of dollars from the severance.

So, as you are working hard every day to build your company, or as you're building your career, don't live in denial. Sometimes the facts are unpleasant, but the facts are what they are, and we have to deal with them whether we like them or not.

About Joel G. Block

Often dubbed a "Growth Architect" by his clients, Joel Block advises companies on explosive growth strategies by driving revenue and sales. Well known in the capital markets, Joel is a successful entrepreneur, speaker and advisor. To bring Joel into your company, please visit www.joelblock.com or www.growth-logic.com.

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