Wikipedia defines job security as “the probability that an individual will keep their job; a job with a high level of security is such that a person with the job would have a small chance of losing it.” By that definition job security is a tall order, it was hard enough when the economy was stable and now in the current day, it is fiction. After all, it is said that nothing lasts forever.
This is an uncomfortable truth as people like to know that they will be ok and 
continue to be ok months or even years from now, that is why job security is oh so appealing. But once you work through the discomfort of uncertainty, you are better primed to be well prepared whatever may come. Keeping one’s job is great, especially if it is a job you love and enjoy, a job you find fulfilling and rewarding. Should that not be possible, it is ok, change can be very good.
If you have a clear plan for your career that is not limited to your current job, the notion of job security should mean very little to you. It is better to not surrender full control of your future to anyone including your employer. Keep doing your job diligently and being of great value to the organisation you work for, that is the best way to secure your job, but even this sometimes is not enough as there are other external factors including overall company performance.
Grabbing the bull by the horns
Decide what you want to do should you need to leave the job you’re in. Everything has risk including running a business or being self-employed, so don’t be misled to thinking these options are a safer bet. You certainly will have more control over your time but you may find that financially you have way less control, being self-employed means your next paycheck is not guaranteed. Getting another job also carries its own line of stress, so you need to make a decision that best serves where you are in life.
Once you have assessed all options and chosen one or more with the best possible outcome, design a clear path of how you will get there. If your fall-back plan is getting another job, then work on your work search strategy and make sure that your job search tools (CV and LinkedIn) are always in an impeccable condition ready at all times. If you decide to consult check out Top 6 Areas of Consultancy and Tips on Becoming an Independent Consultant. If the plan is to start your own business start working on your business plan and know how you will finance this venture.
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable
The reason people settle in life is due to fear and the daunting idea of discomfort, once you have this in check there will be very little standing in the way of your success. There’s a region in our midbrain called the substantia nigra area which is the part of the brain which responds to novel stimuli, this part of the brain plays a major role in reward and motivation.
Science has shown that new experiences activate this side of the brain, this has been linked to the activation of dopamine pathways (brain’s reward center). So in essence new experiences are scientifically found to be very rewarding so should you find yourself faced with change, don’t view it as a bad thing.
“Be willing to be uncomfortable. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it’s a small price to pay for living a dream.” – Peter McWilliams
What doesn’t kill you……..
You know how the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Nine out of ten times the anticipation of an outcome is far more daunting than the reality of it. There are numerous benefits to change including growth, the opportunity to pursue a passion, and the knowledge that comes with new experiences. Use every challenge to build up your professional muscle.
Silver lining
Albert Einstein famously cited that in every crisis lies opportunity. Losing a job would be challenging for anyone, it is without a doubt better to leave a job out of choice, none the less, one should not lose sight of possible opportunities when change comes knocking.
Taking the plunge can be extremely rewarding, as long you still have your health and your mental faculties are in place, losing the security of a job is not the end, it could in fact be a very fulfilling start.
