Are you too big for your tank?
Here's a quick test to see if it's time to move on from your current job.
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A giant lobster named George escaped a dinner-table fate and was released Saturday into the Atlantic Ocean after a New York seafood restaurant granted him his freedom, according to a statement from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
CNN reported that George the Lobster, who reportedly was over 100 years old and 20 pounds, was released from a restaurant lobster tank after PETA raised objection. Keith Valenti, the restaurant manager, said that George had been "sitting in the restaurant's tank and acting as a sort of mascot."
Are you like George the Lobster? Are you "sort of a mascot?"
Poor George is a classic case of what happens when you stay at a job too long: you get too big for your tank. If you stay at a job too long without progression, you get fat and happy. You stop performing, and you start living off other people. You get used to being fed. Now George probably wasn't eaten because he was too expensive. Will you be so lucky?
How do we know when we're getting too big for our tank? It's time to move on from your job when a couple of the following are true:
1. No one can remember when you started
2. You can't remember when you started
3. Other people can't explain what you do
4. You can't explain what you do
5. No one notices when you take a vacation
It's always important to progress in everything we do. We have to see our careers not only as a way to pay the bills, but as a means of personal and professional growth. If we're not getting better at something, anything, and increasing our talents in our areas of interest, we are simply living off the land. It's no way to work and it's no way to live.
Now I'm sure when George was released, he was pretty happy. We won't have the same experience - jump the tank before it's too late.
From CNN: George the giant lobster liberated from restaurant
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A giant lobster named George escaped a dinner-table fate and was released Saturday into the Atlantic Ocean after a New York seafood restaurant granted him his freedom, according to a statement from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
CNN reported that George the Lobster, who reportedly was over 100 years old and 20 pounds, was released from a restaurant lobster tank after PETA raised objection. Keith Valenti, the restaurant manager, said that George had been "sitting in the restaurant's tank and acting as a sort of mascot."
Are you like George the Lobster? Are you "sort of a mascot?"Poor George is a classic case of what happens when you stay at a job too long: you get too big for your tank. If you stay at a job too long without progression, you get fat and happy. You stop performing, and you start living off other people. You get used to being fed. Now George probably wasn't eaten because he was too expensive. Will you be so lucky?
How do we know when we're getting too big for our tank? It's time to move on from your job when a couple of the following are true:
1. No one can remember when you started
2. You can't remember when you started
3. Other people can't explain what you do
4. You can't explain what you do
5. No one notices when you take a vacation
It's always important to progress in everything we do. We have to see our careers not only as a way to pay the bills, but as a means of personal and professional growth. If we're not getting better at something, anything, and increasing our talents in our areas of interest, we are simply living off the land. It's no way to work and it's no way to live.
Now I'm sure when George was released, he was pretty happy. We won't have the same experience - jump the tank before it's too late.
From CNN: George the giant lobster liberated from restaurant
Tags: george the lobster, staying at a job too long, tenure, time for a new job, time to get a new job
Comment
-
Comment by Brad Naylor on January 12, 2009 at 1:13pm
- I spent 18 years as a VP of Sales for a major brokerage firm and decided to get out when I wasn't having fun anymore. Important point...You spend alot of hours at your job, why not have fun doing it. Do what you love doing.
-
Comment by Mark McIntyre on January 12, 2009 at 8:48am - Great piece,,,,having been in that situation a time or two, I understand sometimes you can be too much for your current environment and at best it is better to just jump the tank...............
-
Comment by Trustee Toni Carter on January 12, 2009 at 12:29am -
Miles,
This was very well written. Thank you, I will be forwarding this on to others.
-
Comment by ELVIS BAULENI on January 12, 2009 at 12:11am -
This is a brand new year. It's time to reconfirm or restate our vision. Remember, "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare”.
Happy New Year to all Job Seekers & Employers.
-
Comment by Annemarie Cross on January 11, 2009 at 11:37pm -
Noticed the tiny url isn't working. Here is the full weblink for the Career Communique Radio show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/careercommunique/2009/01/11/Vital-career-management-strategies-to-ensure-a-successful-2009
-
Comment by Annemarie Cross on January 11, 2009 at 11:32pm
-
How true indeed!
If you want to avoid getting 'too big for the tank' listen out for some great goal setting and career management strategies for 2009. Jumping the tank doesn't necessarily mean leaving your current place of employment. Think 'career lattice' rather than 'career ladder', meaning there may be vertical and horizontal moves available at your work, and you didn't even realise it.
For those interested, here's the link to Career Communique Radio show identifying Vital career management strategies to ensure your success in 2009. Enjoy!
http://tinyurl.com/9xp7xv
TalentBar is a product of Electronic Syndication, LLC. Members agree to the terms of service at the bottom of the page. TalentBar and Electronic Syndication LLC do not accept copyrighted material and take such matters seriously. TalentBar is associated with HR.net, a publication for HR professionals and Recruiter.com, a Recruiter network.
© 2010 Created by Miles.
You need to be a member of TalentBar to add comments!
Join TalentBar