By Markey Read

If you have not already reassessed your priorities and your economic viability in the last 2 months, now would be good time to start. Since the series of events that started in 2008, we have not only seen major changes in the world order, but even in quiet Vermont we are feeling the ripple effect in our neighborhoods and families.

Some companies are reeling from loss of business, while others are struggling to keep up with new demand. Companies who have traditionally been “great employers” are not only facing staffing reductions, but they are making cuts in all the extras paid in benefits. Bonuses are disappearing quickly, corporate matching funds for retirement packages are dwindling, and the full costs of health benefits are being transferred to employees . . . leaving the people who remain wondering if the company is such a great place after all.

People who were already on edge, professionally or personally, are starting to take action voluntarily. Even though prospects for new employment are not as obviously plentiful, individuals who have been miserable in their positions, are leaving anyway. Many clients have come face to face with the reality that the “great salary” they are making is not worth the anxiety caused by deep dissatisfaction at the workplace.

Some employees who have been released are relieved and looking forward to making long awaited changes in their personal and professional lives. Others are realizing that a change of lifestyle is necessary due to lowered salary expectations.

Families are sticking together and closer to home. Vacations are being altered to include more quality time. Plans for relocation are now considered risky for some and an opportunity to be closer to family for others.

All in all, people are reevaluating almost every aspect of their lives.

No one can predict what the full affect will be on the world economy, our country, our communities, or our families will be. No one can know how long it will be before the next economic boom time (and of course there will be another time of economic expansion). No one can understand how this uncertainty will alter our individual decisions.

I challenge everyone, however, to be clear about your priorities and to take action toward your goals now. If you hate your job, give notice. If you want to start a business, start one. If you want to finish your degree, enroll in classes immediately. If you want to get married to the person you have been living with, set a date. If you do not want to get married to that person, move on. Whatever it is, start now.

Take some time to assess your skills and determine if you are using them at an appropriate level. Recognize how you are useful or wasteful at your workplace and make some changes. Approach your managers about how you can help the company through this transitionary time. Volunteer to learn about a new process or project so you can be an alternate person in a critical area.

As a friend of mine always says, acquire and demonstrate skills and usefulness in such a way that you will be the last person to be thrown overboard. And, by the way, if you do not want to be one of the last few on the particular ship you are currently on, maybe it is time to transfer to a different ship and make space for someone who does want to be there.

Being in the business of providing career and employment services to individuals and organizations, I see too many people suffering unnecessarily in their lives. I see professionals clinging to high-paying positions even though they despise the company, their co-workers, and/or the daily tasks of their positions. I see people counting the days between weekends and vacations when they can “recover” from work. I see companies anguishing over whom to cut and offering fairly generous severance packages and Outplacement services. I see employees waiting for the company to announce a lay-off with severance benefits before telling the truth about their desire to leave. And I see others who try to hide in the closet, hoping not to be noticed.

It is true that I am an idealist and my idealistic vision of the future includes people being able to use their skills at an appropriate level of responsibility and receiving an appropriate level of pay in exchange. And remember, it is an exchange and it takes personal responsibility to get there.

If you are a manager and do not think someone is contributing at an appropriate level, address the situation – talk about it and create a strategy together with your employee. If you are an employee and know you could do more for the company, look to see how you can make a more appropriate contribution.

It is time for a reckoning in our economy. Ask yourself if what you do everyday brings you personal satisfaction, positively contributes to your community, and builds sustainable economies. If the answer is no to any of these questions, take some action today that will get you closer to answering yes.

In order to rebuild the economy (and by the way it may not look like anything we have ever seen before), companies will be seeking resilient and committed people to join their organizations. If there was ever a time when we needed team-building, now is it.