You have most likely read the story of Noah building the Ark before the great flood. Or you’ve seen a variety of movies, be it a comedy or a documentary, where Noah received a message from God to build the Ark. He is instructed to gather the different species of animals in pairs and load them onto the Ark together with his family in anticipation of the great flood.
Noah was often portrayed as a bit out of place, as no one believed such a flood would occur due to the blue skies and no rain in sight. And yet he persevered, preparing for the big event … although he didn’t know when it would be. So when the rains and the ensuing flood came, Noah was ready.
As a person in your fifties or sixties, it might be wise to learn a lesson from Noah when it comes to preparing for the future.
Think about it. Noah receives a tip that something important is headed his way. He said, you better get ready and this is what you should do. While others around him think he’s crazy, he prepares for his future and the survival of his family and animal life.
Are you getting signs of major changes within your organization? Have you noticed how long-term employees start to leave when they seemed perfectly happy with their work? Are you hearing rumors in the hallways that an apartment in another city or state is closing?
These are all signs to watch out for. Your department could be next. Maybe not tomorrow or next month, but it could be later. You could be the next jobless.
Let’s be realistic. Nobody wants to lose their job, so the last thing you’re probably thinking about is preparing to lose it. It seems counterintuitive. I understand. However, with the daily alerts from Google hitting my inbox about corporate layoffs, I think the familiar conversation on the topic of “what would we do if I suddenly lost my job?” it has to happen.
So what do you do when you don’t know when or when a flood is coming? Good question. Here are my thoughts on some areas to consider.
Build your network while you’re still employed
Now is not the time to go unnoticed. Now is when you want to be seen as a valuable asset to the company, so that when the time comes to decide who stays and who leaves, you are not in the last category. Make yourself valuable.
Dust off your old resume and update yes. Have it ready to go in case you suddenly come across a termination letter. Will you be able to seize new opportunities immediately while others are still reeling from the shock of ‘what just happened’?
Connect or reconnect with others in your industry on LinkedIn. Start commenting on relevant posts and add some of your own. Establish yourself as a thought leader or an industry expert. To be seen.
Get out there and network. Attend Meet Up groups or association meetings. Attend conferences inside and outside your industry. When you make the business card change, be sure to follow up in a timely manner. That means within 3-5 days after the meeting, not a month later.
Prepare a spreadsheet of your network contacts with their names, emails, and phone numbers. You may not have access to your data if you are asked to leave the premises immediately.
Make the most of your company-sponsored benefits
The first thing you might consider is taking advantage of all your medical benefits. Take advantage of medical checkups paid for by your company. Use your dental benefits and get an eye exam. Buy that new pair of glasses while you still have some kind of copayment.
If you’ve been paying into a benefit program, you could also use or lose it.
Take care of your expenses
Since your financial situation is the first thing that will take a hit, you definitely want to focus on saving where you can. Let’s see your clothes to spend. Eliminate the things you don’t really need.
Stop paying for cable channels you don’t watch. You can honestly only watch one channel at a time (browsing the channels doesn’t count). Ditch the landline at home. Few people call you on a home phone anymore.
Stop eating out so often. Stay home and eat at home, it is healthier and cheaper. Make a weekly menu and don’t go shopping until you first see what’s in the cupboards. Save the wine and beer for the weekend. Put the money you save each week in a special kitten.
Stop buying things you don’t need. The word SALE does not mean BUY ME NOW.
Have a yard sale or sell your stuff on Craig’s List. Sell what you don’t need or donate.
There you go. My thoughts and ideas on how to prepare for the unforeseen flood. Look at it this way, even if this never happens to you, you will end up being more valuable to your business, you will be healthier and you will have reduced some of your expenses and you will have more money in the bank.