Posted by Matt Markins in 
It’s no secret: the economy really stinks right now. I often listen to NPR on my way into work. Nearly each day I listen to programming on the job losses in different markets. I hear the same thing on CNN and Fox News. I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to loose your job because of a down market. Good people, great people, solid people who have done nothing wrong have lost their jobs because of an economic situation that is far greater than their personal skill set or talent within the organization.
Yet, so many of us can control our own destiny (I am using that term lightly…obviously God is in control. James 4:13 – 16). I am no historian, but even during the great depression 75% of employees kept their jobs. Now, a 25% job loss is HUGE. No doubt! Yet, three out of four had an up side!
75% three point range in Basketball – Unheard of!
75% close rate in car sales – You will soon be VP!
Giving 75% of your income to charity – What a worthy goal!
My point is, even though a lot of people are loosing jobs, even more are keeping their jobs (even during the great depression). So I think the question really becomes, “what can I do to ensure that I keep my job?”…assuming you want to keep your job! So, I’d like to add my two cents. Here it goes. It’s really simple.
Work harder, smarter, more effectively, and more productive than anyone else in your company/organization.
That’s it. Pretty groundbreaking, huh. Although it sounds so simple, I wonder how many people have been called into the bosses office in the last 30 days and been let go simply because the company had to “trim” down a little and the least effective/productive person had to go? In this kind of market, it occurs far more frequently than we want to imagine.
As believers in the job market, we ought to work with diligence simply because productivity should be a central part of our pursuit to be like Christ. Additionally during difficult times, one would think more people would take the hint and kick it into high gear so that “if someone has to go, it will not be me…my family needs the resources this job provides.”
I guess my challenge to anyone who listens is to do a self-evaluation. Are you bringing your “A Game” to work each day? Are you the one in your office who raises the bar for everyone else around you? Are you the most productive person on your team?
These are bottom line questions. However, if you really value your job, these are valid assessment questions.
Let me add an quick addendumn. If you work in a production plant, I understand/realize that you can loose your job no matter how good you are because job cuts in this arena are usually do to strategic business moves, executive decisions, and even poor executive leadership. On a separate note: if you are bringing your “A Game” to work and your company is still cutting your job, do not loose heart. There are plenty of organizations out there looking for “A List” people like yourself. This is the time for your valued rolodex (actual or virtual). Play the Kevin Bacon game and work your relationships to find the work you love. I have noticed that God tends to honor smart work, hard work, and faithfulness. 
