Goodbye Cubicle Nation

I received a new lease on life when my job was eliminated at cubicle nation. Quite some time ago, I underwent a metamorphosis of sorts toward my own work mindset.

For years, I questioned why an organization would want to treat their employees poorly. I just couldn’t comprehend the concept. It was so backward, toxic and unnecessary. I started to question people in upper management who had retired. They quickly agreed it was a sick way to run a business.

Someone actually tried to explain the business practice is taught in colleges. I scoured the Internet hoping to find the class or subject. After my research produced nothing (other than psychological dysfunctional modes of management), I thought I hit a dead-end. Why is it a freaking secret!

Best Selling Author, Seth Godin, wrote a book called- Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? Seth described enough of the Industrial Age philosophy in the book to finally understand what I dealing with my entire working life. I live in what once a very dominant manufacturing city. Like most typical Rust Belt cities we’ve been decimated by the end of the Industrial Age. Although I worked in a non-factory environment it’s run with the same type of management mentality as a factory.

It’s fear-based management. The main requirement is conforming mentally and physically day after day, year after year. Your livelihood is held over your head with fear; through rumors, threats, evaluations and meetings. The reverberation extends for a period of time until something new is presented to show your allegiance too.

The funny thing was once I understood the mindset, I knew how to tune it out of my mind and not play the game. Gradually, I was able to separate myself physically and mentally from the silliness of the system. I began to realize my own creativity and ideas would be my only way out of this train wreck. So I started to focus on myself and what my best options for success would be.

That is when I started to change my thinking. If I woke-up and a good idea came to me, it was worth my time to write it down; even if it meant arriving to work late.

At that point I knew what I could do mattered more than what I had been doing! I felt empowered and my life suddenly had meaning.

I knew I wasn’t happy. I knew my career was basically a dead-end job. I no longer cared to be a hamster on the wheel or just exist. Life is too short to spend it living in fear.

So now I’m a free agent. I have no fear and no boss. I don’t set an alarm clock or commute to work. I can have fun or work hard when I want. My stress is gone.

I’ve left cubicle nation.

And it feels darn good!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Book Review- The Icarus Deception: how high will you fly?

Don’t buy Seth Godin’s newest book- The Icarus Deception: how high will you fly?

Because:

·        Seth Godin is the leading marketing guru in the world.

·        Is a best-selling author of Purple-Cow, Tribes, Linchpin and Poke the Box.

·        A top-ten pithy Blogger.

·        An entrepreneur and highly sought after speaker and motivator.

·        Has the pulse of business on his radar and created some of the most remarkable marketing campaigns.

·        Contributes generously to charities.

Don’t buy the new book because: Seth started his own community website, tribe, or has the ability to alter an entire industry.

Buy the book because whatever Seth Godin knows- people listen, ideas spread and in the post-industrial era we need to be artists.

Review- The Icarus Deception: how high will you fly?

Seth gives us the “inside” information on how to stand-out, speak-up and set the new standards by becoming an artist. His thoughts teach us how to fly higher than we ever could by casting the “old rules” aside which allows you to create your own artistry.

When the Industrial era started nobody gave us the real story, we were the workers, the “cogs in the wheel.” They didn’t want leaders; they sought obedient and compliant followers to work the factory jobs for a penance and gold watch.

Schools were created to train legions of children how to be compliant and follow directions. Goods were marketed to increase sales, build more factories, hire additional workers and we complied. They influenced us so well we bought into debt never realizing our commitment would soon steal our hearts and soul.

The success of this marketing philosophy created industries, corporations, and conglomerates. Suddenly, the inevitable happened.

 A migration in search of cheaper sources, products and people turned our lives upside-down. Everything we were told, promised or expected has faded. The Icarus Deception explains where we are going and will rewire the way you think.

In a way, The Icarus Deception is a conglomeration of Seth Godin’s previous books tied together, to the new economy. It’s the handbook to your future. They didn’t let us in on the old secrets- this time we have no excuse

Here are some of the highlights:

·        The myth of Icarus- how it corresponds to conformity, compliance and how it lowered our expectations in everything we do.

·        Why we should create Art.

·        The difference between our comfort and safety zones and why it’s changed.

·        The introduction of the “connection economy” and the role it plays in the post-industrial era.

·        Building relationships that really matter.

·        The shortfalls of the Industrial Age.

·        The importance of “picking yourself” instead of living someone else’s dream or idea.

·        The joy and emotional labor of creating your own Art.

·        Breaks down myths and psychological trappings of society to fit-in, conform and why it’s far better to stand-out.

·        The meaning of being an Artist.

·        How fear stops us from doing work outside our comfort zone.

·        Dealing with “the resistance.”

·        Defining your audience.

·        The vulnerability of being an Artist.

·        Why your worldview keeps you from seeing the world as it is.

·        Successful habits.

·        Measuring work, eliminating boundaries.

·        The need for a focus group.

·        Going from a mindset of “wanting to giving.”

·        Reminding us- we are all connected.

The Icarus Deception is a book I will read over and over. I highly recommend it. I purchased my copy through Seth’s Kickstarter campaign

The Icarus Deception is the push to do what you’ve always wanted. It’s the approval to become what you’ve always dreamed of becoming. The Icarus Deception allows you the freedom to scale to new heights. Unlike the previous system of 100 years, it’s imperative you break the rules and stand-out.

More importunately it allows you to connect with people and do something meaningful by creating Art!

This is the chance and opportunity you’ve waited for- purchase The Icarus Deception today.

We’ve been bamboozled for too long. It’s your turn.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Will the Circle be Unbroken?

I was born and raised in the Rust Belt. My parents instilled the notion of working hard and being honest and polite. As I began working, those principles seemed to be the best way to stay out of trouble and keep a job.

I spent years believing those basic principles would somehow lead me to a deserving future. My reasoning was people would recognize those strengths and somehow my efforts would be justly honored.

Photo used courtesy of: Tony Fischer Photography.

It certainly wasn’t the case once I was hired in a factory. Employees were just a cog in the wheel, nothing more. The expectations were to produce as much as you and a machine could yield. Anything less in production was grounds for a tongue lashing from the boss and if production didn’t improve you would be fired. If you met or exceeded expectations- the only guarantee was more of the same and a paycheck.

Most of the people I worked with drank alcohol to escape from reality. I was no exception. It was far easier for people to drown their misery, dreams and future with alcohol or drugs. Many of my co-workers lived in poverty, didn’t have a GED, or any hope for a better future. Most of those workers lived on the poor side of town.

They had resigned themselves to a dead-end job and a lifestyle of disease and early death- all for a lowly paycheck! Their kids would become part of the vicious cycle; often dropping out of high school in order to receive a weekly paycheck at the same factory Dad worked; purchase a souped-up car with big tires and soon marry their pregnant girlfriend.

Will the Circle be Unbroken?

Eventually, I landed a non-factory job and received a promotion to become part of management. I thought my hard work had finally paid-off. I was excited to implement my ideas and improve the functionality within the area of my responsibility and possibly further improve employee relations.

My excitement slowly turned to dust when I approached my boss with ideas and he just looked at me and changed the topic entirely. After attempting to get his approval several more times, I learned to do whatever I could change on my own to improve processes.

The realization that I was just a cog in the wheel and nothing more led me to believe it was his style of management. Do what you are asked and you will be rewarded with a paycheck and benefits. If you attempt to innovate, stand-out or create change, you become a problem.

Sadly, it has taken me years to understand the true nature of this concept. I was naive and wanted to believe I could make a difference. I spent years wondering why any business would operate in this fashion with so much at stake. Why wouldn’t you want to be all you could be?

What I learned is the same concept that infiltrated the manufacturing industry was no different in the non-industrial workplace. The exchange of a paycheck for hours of conforming was all that is required. Nothing less, nor anything greater is appreciated. Mediocrity- at it's finest!

I believe we can do better. We must do better or our businesses will suffer the same fate of the dying “industrial age.” An outdated business model that served to pigeon-holed employees to be a “cog in the wheel” and nothing more- ensures our failure to innovate and implement change within existing businesses. It negates our ability to create a new working business model that rewards effectiveness and linchpin behavior. 

If you are just working for a paycheck, you’re really not living.

Trading time for pay- solely to exist- isn’t our future!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells-

The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com