Fire Your Boss

1. Fire Your Boss: Take Control of Your Work Life

You can be in control of your job and your stream of income so you're never again subject to the whims, prejudices, moods, or circumstances of your so-called boss.

Redefine your job. Write your own job description focusing on your strengths and skills, not just your current responsibilities. Conduct a self-performance review to identify your true value in the marketplace. Define alternate career paths that align with your abilities and interests. Put your work plan in writing, detailing your goals and strategies for professional growth.

Take charge of your future. Don't let your boss or company dictate your career trajectory. Instead:

• Regularly reassess your skills and value
• Seek opportunities to expand your expertise
• Set your own professional goals and benchmarks
• Proactively plan your next career moves

By firing your boss mentally, you empower yourself to shape your work life on your own terms, rather than passively accepting whatever comes your way.

2. Kill Your Career: Focus on Getting a Job, Not Fulfillment

Stop living to work and instead start working to live.

Separate work and life. Abandon the notion that your job should provide emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Instead, view work primarily as a means to generate income. Seek personal satisfaction, meaning, and self-actualization through activities outside of work.

Embrace practicality. Focus on:

• Maximizing your earning potential
• Developing marketable skills
• Building a stable financial foundation

By killing the idea of a "career," you free yourself to:

• Make strategic job moves based on financial incentives
• Pursue passions and interests in your personal time
• Achieve a healthier work-life balance

This shift in mindset allows you to approach work more pragmatically while finding greater overall life satisfaction.

3. There's No "I" in Job: Prioritize Your Boss's Needs

To thrive, Jon would need to serve as a gatekeeper.

Understand your boss. Observe and analyze your supervisor's behavior, preferences, and challenges. Identify their primary needs and motivations. Common boss types include:

• The Buddy: Seeks friendship and social connection
• The Loner: Prefers independence and minimal interaction
• The Stickler: Demands adherence to rules and procedures
• The Glory Seeker: Craves recognition and praise
• The Fighter: Thrives on conflict and competition
• The Coward: Fears change and risk

Align your actions. Once you understand your boss's needs:

• Proactively address their concerns
• Adapt your communication style to their preferences
• Offer solutions that make their job easier
• Position yourself as an indispensable asset

By focusing on your boss's success, you increase your own job security and opportunities for advancement.

4. Go Fish: Constantly Seek New Job Opportunities

Rather than looking for the one perfect new job, you should be broadening your efforts to cultivate as many "offers" of employment as you can, which you can then either accept or reject.

Adopt a fisherman's mindset. Instead of waiting until you're desperate for a new job, continuously cast a wide net for opportunities. This approach:

• Keeps you aware of market trends and your value
• Provides leverage in negotiations with your current employer
• Ensures you're never caught off guard by unexpected job loss

Implement a job-fishing plan:

• Regularly scan job listings in your field and related industries
• Maintain relationships with recruiters and headhunters
• Attend industry events and conferences
• Keep your resume and online profiles updated
• Be open to unexpected opportunities

By constantly fishing for jobs, you maintain control over your career trajectory and increase your chances of finding ideal positions.

5. No One Hires a Stranger: Leverage Personal Networks

Ironically, I've found my clients get far more job leads by not making that the priority in their social life than if it's obvious they're using a social setting to find a job.

Expand your personal network. Focus on building genuine relationships rather than overtly networking for job leads. Engage in activities and communities aligned with your interests:

• Join clubs or organizations related to your hobbies
• Volunteer for causes you care about
• Attend local events and meetups
• Participate in religious or spiritual communities

Cultivate authentic connections. When meeting new people:

• Show genuine interest in others
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Share your own experiences and passions
• Offer help and support without expecting immediate returns

By developing a diverse and authentic personal network, you create a powerful web of connections that can lead to unexpected job opportunities and valuable professional relationships.

6. It's the Money That Counts: Prioritize Financial Compensation

The job of your dreams is the one that pays the most money.

Focus on financial factors. When evaluating job offers, prioritize:

1. Income: Base salary and potential bonuses
2. Proximity: Commute time and associated costs
3. Paid time off: Vacation days and personal leave
4. Unpaid time off: Flexibility for personal needs
5. Opportunity for learning: Skill development potential

Deprioritize less tangible benefits. Don't be swayed by:

• Fancy titles or status symbols
• Promises of future advancement
• Company culture or amenities
• Challenging or meaningful work

Negotiate strategically. Use your focus on financial factors to:

• Push for higher salaries or better benefits
• Trade less valuable perks for increased compensation
• Make data-driven decisions when comparing offers

By prioritizing money, you maximize your earning potential and gain the financial freedom to pursue fulfillment outside of work.

7. Hello, I Must Be Going: Plan Your Exit Strategy from Day One

The first thing you need to do in your first week on a new job is prepare a job factor checklist.

Always be prepared to leave. Recognize that all jobs are temporary in today's economy. From your first day:

• Document your current job factors (salary, benefits, responsibilities)
• Continue job fishing and networking
• Set benchmarks for when you'll consider new opportunities

Know when to make a move:

• Within 1 year: Consider offers with improvements in 2+ important factors
• 1-2 years: Consider offers with improvement in 1 important factor
• After 2 years: Consider any offer with any improvement

Stay alert to red flags:

• New management or ownership changes
• Company financial difficulties
• Industry-wide downturns

By maintaining an exit mindset, you stay proactive about your career and avoid becoming complacent or trapped in a declining situation.

Last updated: August 6, 2024