You know what else is? Snuggies. Snuggies are the devil.
They come to me through the TV with the promise of warmth and security. They spring off the shelves of the local Walgreens and scream, "Buy me. I’m only $14.99. And see, I come with a little book light to help you read at night. You’d like that wouldn’t you?"
And every time I say no, it replies with, “What's the matter with you, don’t you want to be warm and secure?”
“Sure, but."
“But what?” it replies.
“But it’s an illusion. I don’t need to take you home to know you’re just a flimsy blanket. Just one with arms.”
“You still want me though. You need security.”
“Yes I know I do. And I hate you for it,” I cried.
I then fled from the store believing I had escaped.
As I walked home quickly, I realized to my dismay, I was wrong. I could not escape the need and want for security. I wanted that Snuggie.
I am proud to say though that as of this day I have not bought into the illusion of a Snuggie.
I am proud to say though that as of this day I have not bought into the illusion of a Snuggie.
Apparently though I’m not the only one who has heard this siren's cry. At least 20 million people have sought the security of a Snuggie. And if it's not the Snuggie people seek for security, there are other illusions: illicit drugs, alcohol, gambling, or codependent relationships to name a few.
But millions of people are seeking security from what I believe is the granddaddy of security illusions: their job.
According to the SHRM Workplace Visions survey from last year on job satisfaction, upwards of over 60% polled claim job security is what they value the most.
I ask, how can so many people value something that simply does not exist?
I've heard the greatest trick that the Devil ever pulled was convincing people he did not exist. I say the opposite. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing people to value something that did not exist. Why? Because its very dispiriting to put all of your hopes in your job only to have the carpet pulled out from under you when it's gone. You want to feel low? This is a fast track to lowness.
I confessed I want to feel secure. But I know it's an illusion. I know that there are no guarantees in free market economies. I know that no matter how many years I stay in my job, or how hard I think I'm working, or how financially sound my organization is, my job could end tomorrow. And there is nothing I can do about it. I could spend all of my energies on wishing and hoping I will have my job until I choose to leave, but wishing results in nothing.
Changes will always occur. Thinking you're untouchable from these changes is a fool's game and the Devil loves a fool. So stop believing in something that will never occur. It only leads to disappointment and low self-esteem. Put your faith in what you know is real: yourself. Never be tricked into believing your job is anything more than just your job right now.
Your job may offer warmth and security, but when it all comes out in the wash, it's still just a job. Just like a Snuggie. A Snuggie is still just a blanket with arms. It offers no more warmth and security than any other blanket.
This is your sermon today. Thanks for visiting.
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6 Comments:
No Snuggie here either.
Good post, Paul! Unfortunately, the sad truth on employment is you should probably always be acting "as if"
- you had one foot out the door
- that disaster may strike at any moment
- another great opportunity is always coming you way!
Great post Paul-
I do love snuggies... I am cold all the time though, so that is my excuse. A great warning. Job security is becoming extinct. We need to work harder, smarter, and prove that You are ESSENTIAL and IRREPLACEABLE.
And always, keep your eye on the ball.
Very well put! And personally, the only snuggie I'm tempted to get is the one for my puppy because that would just be too cute! Too bad he's too much of a chubby pot roast to fit into one.
Snuggies don't cry out to me at all. Just put your bathrobe on backwards and you have a Snuggie.
Everything could end tomorrow. Everything. Except for the job of the person who is marketing Snuggies. S/he is pretty secure. :)
If more people understood the points you make in this post, they'd be less inclined to work in a cubicle and more inclined to work for themselves. No job is ever secure, yet we feel the need to identify ourselves with big names like GE, Apple, etc and for what? Group health insurance, 401K? If last year taught us anything at all, it's that when you work for a large company, you sacrifice your autonomy and creativity and in the end, get treated like cattle.
So true! Interesting point here from TheLadders too...
With Greece in economic crisis, poor GDP figures in Germany and the rest of Europe still in the midst of an economic slump, the spectre of a double dip recession looms large. And whilst the most recent unemployment figures are down, the change is small and many employees, at the start of 2010, will once again be evaluating the security of their role.
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