Are you looking for a new job? The GEO Principle likes to point people to Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, verse 3. Look it up. You will find a story about Paul getting shipwrecked on an island, a place many scholars today believe is Malta. When people read this story, they often focus on the snake that bites Paul, noting that it does not affect him. But I am interested in the set up to the snake’s appearance. A line that most people ignore says Paul “gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire…” I like this line because it describes a situation where Paul simply looked around and did what needed to be done. He did something he was suited for. He didn’t try to repair the boat; he made a fire. He didn’t wait for someone to tell him to make a fire. He looked for something to do and did it.
Acts of the Apostles wasn’t written as a job-hunter’s guide but Paul’s example is powerful advice: Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do; look around and figure out what needs to be done. Then do it.
If you want a different job, look around and figure out what needs to be done. If you look around your office, city or country you will discover lots of things that need to be done, lots of problems that need solving. Devise a way to fulfill any one of the needs you identify and you will have significant work. An actual job opening somewhere might address the need you identify, but it is more likely there won’t be an opening addressing the specific need you see. It may be up to you to map out a strategy for a new business line, take your plan to a company positioned to sponsor that business, and pitch your idea to the person in charge. Your initiative will reflect well on you. If your idea is sufficiently compelling, a good business owner will create a job for you, especially if you’ve included a way to share or mitigate the business risk. If no one will listen, then you might need to go directly to the market. Figure out a way to offer the service or create the product on your own.
While sole proprietorship, entrepreneurship and small business ventures have offered reward for years, the early twenty-first century makes this career arena more viable than ever. Not everyone is meant to run their own company but far more people today realistically have this option than ever before in modern times. People who are contemplating job or career change cannot afford to ignore entrepreneurial avenues.
Granted, most people prefer a job with an established company. Regardless of whether you intend to apply for a job or create your own, job seekers can get an edge if they focus on problem solving. Do what needs to be done, like Paul did. People who are willing to look around, identify problems and fix them will always be employable.
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