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In reply to the discussion: Please take this advice: always be ready to jump ship [View all]Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I still keep a folder that I constantly update full of my accomplishments ready to build a resume at the drop of a hat. If at any time anyone threatens me with my job, my standard answer is I was looking for a job when I found this one. Nobody owns me, and the peace of mind this gives me is incalculable. It allows me to metaphorically tell people above me to go fuck themselves as the need arises because I don't live in fear of them. Regardless of how secure your job is, so long as there are people above you at some point they will try to intimidate you by holding your job security over your head. Many people experience this on a daily basis. I don't allow people to do this to me. Living in constant fear of losing your job is no way to live. The way I look at it is the company should fear me because I can leave at any time taking my knowledge and skills with me which will create a loss to them if I do.
Another thing I've always tried to do is live well beneath my means. I realize not everyone will have that ability at all times, but when you find yourself leveraged up to your eyeballs, you are then owned by your creditors. Keeping your debt as low as possible can keep you from losing everything you have if you experience a period of extended unemployment. Telling yourself you don't need something when you have money in the bank is hard to do and takes discipline. I just keep telling myself there are no shortage of people who are happy with less shit.