Do we need more JOB stimulus or do we need more WORKER stimulus? (Or should I say NON-WORKER stimulus?)
I know there are 15M people out of work – but do they all have to be? There are hundreds of thousands of jobs available TODAY that can’t be filled. Why not? It seems to me that people are just too lazy to do the work. In fact, why should they work? Where is the incentive? We have extended unemployment benefits to the point that some people find it easier NOT to work than to actually take a job.
I just watched a Fox News report about a woman who had just stopped looking for work. When they asked her why she had stopped, she said, “Because there is nothing out there.” I call bullshit on that one. There just isn’t anything out there that suits this woman’s vision of herself. Get a clue Sweetheart, you aren’t too good to do anything that brings in a paycheck. Get over yourself.
I had a guy write me this week on my Facebook fan page (http://www.larrywinget.com/facebook.html) saying he had stopped looking for work as well. His comment was “ I am worth more than $10 an hour.” Really? If you are an able-bodied person sitting on your butt watching television and drawing unemployment or any other government assistance when there is a job you could take and yet you don’t take it, I will agree, you are not worth $10 an hour – you aren’t worth ANYTHING!!!! You are a loser! A lazy good for nothing loser.
I walked through my local mall this weekend and saw 3 retail stores with “Taking Applications-Hiring Now-Apply Within” signs in the windows. (On Wednesday, there were only two signs yet by Saturday there were three.) Wouldn’t you think that a store would have hundreds, if not thousands of applications on file already? Wouldn’t you think that every employee who already works there would have friends who need a job and they could make a few calls and have there friends come down to work a little retail to pay their bills? And even if that is not the case, how could that sign be up for more than about ten minutes without a line running out the door to take those jobs? How can the newspaper have hundreds and hundreds of ads in the Help Wanted section when 15M don’t have jobs? How can the internet job posting sites be full of job postings when there are NO jobs available and 15M people out of work? HOW? HOW? HOW?
I was in a local pet store last week where the clerk was telling me how she was about to go to her second job. I asked her how she could find two jobs when 15M can’t seem to find one job. She responded with “There’s always SOMETHING, if you are willing to do ANYTHING.” BINGO!!! How can so many people have two jobs when so many people can’t seem to find one job?
It is because we have a society with a sense of entitlement that think they have to find their “dream job.” In fact, that’s about as far as some folks get: they dream of having a job when they could just go get one!
Or they believe they absolutely must be paid now what they used to be paid because that is what they are worth. These are probably the same people who want the house they couldn’t afford in the first place to be worth what it was in the inflated housing market of three years ago! They never think that maybe there was an inflated job market as well. These folks have an inflated sense of their own worth.
Many think they need a “career” instead of just a job. I actually had a woman write me saying she wasn’t going to take just any job just so she could be employed. She was looking for something to do that she could love and would fulfill her passion! What? How about taking a job to feed your kids? Aren’t you passionate about doing the right thing? Putting food of the table for your children? No, wait, WE will do that for her!!!! She doesn’t have to! All of us who work for a living and pay taxes, own small businesses and pay payroll/employment taxes, WE pay for those who suddenly find it easier to stay home instead of taking a job they feel is beneath them. I have a job for those of you who feel ANYTHING is beneath you, it’s under a rock! Because you are a snake.
There are jobs out there so get off your butt and go to work for any amount of money . Why? Because it is the right thing to do! Get out of your ego and go sweep floors, clean toilets, sell door to door, mow lawns, paint numbers of sidewalks, whatever you can find. I know my stance will bring out the folks with their many excuses about how wrong I am. I’ll just bet they are out of work too. They will say “Larry you don’t understand.” You are SO right about that one. I don’t understand. I have been out of work. I wasn’t too good to do whatever it took. I went from being the president of my company to mowing yards and raking leaves. I sold plasma and nearly everything I owned. I took whatever I could find because I had bills to pay and a family to support. I was humiliated and embarrassed and it didn’t matter. I had bills to pay so how I “felt” didn’t matter. So for the excuse-ridden folks who want to argue with me, go argue with the people with two jobs or who have had to settle for whatever they could find so they could pay their bills. Those good folks won’t complain about a word I’ve said here. I have gotten letters from people who have held up to 5 part-time jobs at the same time – people who get no sleep – struggle every day to do what they have to do and deal with what they have to do without, yet feel thankful they have they have the ability to do anything. Those people won’t complain about what I’ve said here one bit. The people who fill their lives with excuses, sit on their butts and give up will bitch, moan, complain and BLAME!!!!!
Are there people who are legitimately in trouble? Of course. Are there people who are trying and not having much luck? Of course. Are there areas of the country that are in more trouble than other areas? Of course, again. Are there 15M jobs out there for the 15M unemployed? Of course NOT. But there are some jobs out there who need willing workers to fill them. There are companies who are hiring. What about those jobs? Couldn’t someone take those jobs? There are always going to be jobs to fill – are there going to be people who are willing to do whatever it takes to fill them? Stand in line for hours? Humble themselves a bit? Suck it up and deal their ego? Do the honorable thing? WORK is honorable.
There just isn’t the incentive to work that there once was and I think that is because the negatives aren’t negatives any longer. There was a time when there was a stigma associated with bankruptcy and losing your house to foreclosure. Now that isn’t the case. In fact, there are some financial experts suggesting those things are the “smart” thing to do. Your house goes down in value? Throw the keys in and walk away with no guilt – no remorse – no hard feelings. When all of those things were considered to be bad, there was great personal incentive to keep them from happening. That is no longer the case. As an “expert” said to me the other day on a panel on Fox Business “if you did those things, you would be in good company.” Really? That’s what we call “good company?” How sad. How pitiful. How disgusting.
These are matters of integrity. Which many have lost. There are people who should be ashamed of themselves for their laziness, lack of personal integrity, work ethic and for the example they are setting for their own children. There is WORK to be done and there are out-of-work people who just aren’t willing to do it. As I have said before, “Life is NOT full of the have’s and the have-not’s but of the will’s and the will-not’s. People have not because they will not.”
Here is something else to think about that will fire some folks up: We wonder why we have illegal aliens here? I believe part of the reason is that we have way too many Americans who think they are too good to work! So we have to have illegal aliens or the jobs wouldn’t get done! Don’t like that? I don’t either – but it’s true! And I am not pro-illegal alien – in fact, I am far from it. I am just saying they fill a void that is not filled by the folks who live here. I don’t think the illegals are stealing our jobs – I believe they are taking jobs that Americans think they are too good to do. But that’s another story and another rant.
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING YOUR COMMENTS:
This is NOT a political posting. This is not about Obama, the liberals, the conservatives, the Republicans, the Democrats, Sarah Palin, the Tea Party Movement, Glenn Beck, Hannity or A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G that could even remotely be considered political. This rant isn’t about immigration. This rant is about the disappointment I have in people that who have put their ego above their sense of personal integrity. If anyone posts a comment that wants to trash Obama or the government or the job stimulus package it will not be approved. Why? Because you will have missed the point entirely and your point is not worthy of being posted. I am sick of people twisting the point to fit their personal political agenda and going off on inappropriate tangents and name-calling sprees. I am a supporter of free speech and will fight for your right to say whatever you want – however, I don’t have to post it!
THANKS! And thanks especially to all of you who are busting your humps out there doing whatever you have to do to keep your commitments and take care of yourself and your family!
Bang on, Larry. I’m glad you recognized that not everywhere is the same. Some areas simply have no work and a plethora of willing workers, other places have the jobs and nobody’s willing to “debase” themselves to do the work for “less than $10/hr.” That’s so sad.
Work is rarely doing something you absolutely love or feel passion for (if other readers are in this enviable position, please remain silent so the rest of us don’t know we should be jealous of or loathing you).
It seems too many people in this world have forgotten what the word commitment means. Bills, mortgages, credit cards, debts, and your agreement to be employed are all commitments that need to be upheld. It seems many think it’s acceptable to just walk away from these things. Wrong. By doing so they’re breaking promises. In my books, that makes them untrustworthy. They aren’t people I want to associate with.
I’m struggling financially, and have been for well over a year now, due to my own stupidity. But I have one single goal for my payments every month: every one gets something. Might not be a full payment, usually it is, but at least it’s something. My wife and I are both working multiple jobs, and always looking for ways to increase that income while reducing our expenses at the same time.
As Ringo Starr sang, “You know it don’t come easy.” But somehow we’re still floating above the surface.
Thanks, Larry, for your books and your down-to-earth advice. I, for one, truly appreciate it.
Larry – I somewhat have to disagree with you here – companies are being pickier then ever trying to hire workers. Yes, they want to pay yes, and yes, people don’t want to accept less. However, they’re also asking for supreme qualifications most don’t have, or the ones that do are MBAs used to making 80-90k a year and they’re only willing to pay 40k. It’s just my observation and yes, these people should learn to live on less – but it is becoming harder to get a job.
However – the consistent layoffs that keep happening are boiling my blood. In my line of work, I see employment contracts for CEOs/CFOs, etc. that pass by my desk – these CEOs/CFOs etc are making 10 MILLION or MORE a year! Meanwhile STILL laying off the staff under them! How is that fair? Honestly I really truly believe that if there is to be an end to this mass unemployment/layoffs, CUT CEO pay! There is NO need at ALL for someone to be making over $300k a year! Heck even 50k a year is livable! How do we end this madness though? Corporate greed is killing America.
Bleeding-heart liberal me isn’t reading anything party-political into this post, Larry. Actually, what you have written speaks a great deal to my own life experience. You know, I ditched a 48K job to follow my dreams and lost everything in the process.
Literally everything.
More power to those who can make a livelihood of their dreams, and speaking for myself, what’s to say it won’t happen to me in the end? Life is long and full of opportunities.
In the meantime, I’m earning my living working an honest job. Starting at the bottom of my employer’s organization hierarchy, I served that organization well enough to earn my first promotion a few months ago, gaining a modest raise in the process. I know that if I meet my obligations to my company, I will receive another raise — and a significant one at that.
In my new position, I am currently responsible for the paychecks of 22 trainees. More importantly, I am responsible for ensuring they will be properly prepared to help those customers who call them for help. They need the knowledge, interpersonal skills, and confidence to meet the challenges of a very demanding job. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously, and as a result I my work days have increased from eight hours to anywhere from nine to eleven hours.
In addition to that, I take great care to meet my responsibilities toward my wife and children. These are important and work-intensive commitments, but when I made these commitments, I did so with open eyes.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t mind being rich. But I’d like to offer a few questions. Why does everyone have to be a movie star or a famous athlete? What’s wrong with just holding down a job and being a responsible person? What’s wrong with just being able to end every day with a clean conscience?
I think many folks look to the wrong types of people when they define their heroes. Jean-Claude Van Damme is a brilliant martial artist, and he certainly is seen with a many attractive women. And this rapper or that rock star seems to enjoy reveling in luxury. These people have served their fans well, and they have attained their status through just the right combination of hard work, talent — and luck. But we can’t all be like them, and like it or not, most of us will never have what they to.
And the sooner we realize that’s okay, the better off we will be. These people are not my heroes, though.
My heroes are the single moms who work two jobs so they can support their children. They are the folks right out of rehab trying to put their lives back together, so they can stay healthy, make amends to the people they have hurt, and grow personally and spiritually. Or maybe they are just plain, honest people just trying to earn an honest living as best as they can. Some of them are gifted with amazing creative talents. Others are gifted with a truly inspiring work ethic. Some are blessed with an amazing capability to demonstrate grace under fire, others with an eagerness to learn new skills. All of them would rather hold down an honest job and meet their obligations instead of leading thoroughly dishonorable lives.
They are the people who work in call centers, the ones who give you the time it takes to resolve your issue, even though there may be 30+ calls in the queue. They are the people who make sure your fast food order is processed correctly and remember to hand that cardboard crown or plastic toy to your children. They are the cops who tell you you’ve been driving on your rim and flashed the red and blues when they saw your tire blow, then waited with you in the cold, rainy night for the tow truck to arrive — just to make sure you’re okay. They are the retirees in their blue vests and and welcome you with a smile on their face. They are the therapists who tell me how proud they are that I managed to get off my pity-pot and back on my feet. They are my wife and my kids — and my friends — who have chosen not to turn their backs on me, after all I have put them through.
These are my heroes. It is their service I honor. And even If I can serve them only half as well as they have served me, I’ll call that an accomplishment.
Whoa! Can’t believe there are only two comments on this so far.
I’m very fortunate in my job – the company is nice to work for and my boss has been very good to me. Trust me, I’ve had some bad jobs, but I’ve only walked out of one of them (a nanny position where the mother was such a loon that I began to feel like my life was actually in danger), because doing your job is the only thing that makes you feel like you have a right to take up space on this earth.
Meanwhile, I have friends who have been laid off several times in the last few years and while one of them has always managed to find something fairly quickly, another one hasn’t. His wife is working her fingers to the bones trying to keep body and soul together, and he’s not willing to do just anything. He could substitute teach or check groceries, but he won’t do it, because he was a marketing manager and he can’t do anything less than that. He almost finished a real estate course a couple of years ago, but quit because he didn’t “like” it. He was unemployed over the holidays when there are retail jobs galore because he just couldn’t do that. And what really floors me is that he’s not keeping the house spotless – the wife still does most of the housework.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your rantings! I have worked hard for many years (so grateful for that), if there is one thing that always triggers a little resentment it would be people who are whining.
So unproductive and annoying!
I picked up your book on Saturday night, it almost jumped off the shelf – You’re Broke Because You Want to Be – and I must say that I am totally enjoying it (although I admit I feel really sad that I made stupid choices). This morning I had to let my husband know some really stupid choices I have made over the last few years and I was able to let him know I am completely accountable for those choices – and for changing my behavior. He also had some accountablity pieces to share and we both started to see how freeing it is to do so.
I am only at the beginning – but I have a lot of hope that through hard work and dedication even years of bad behavior can be uncovered, acknowledged and changed.
Thank you for the gift of that book.
Warm regards,
Elise
I fully agree with you. When I was a kid, broke, and dumb, I used to mow grass, rake leaves, paint barns, or do anything that would pay. My friends would pick on me and call me yardboy. Twenty years later the same friends are doing exactly what you have observed, sitting in their butts. Funny thing… sometimes I wish that I could go back to those days. It was hard work, but looking back, I really enjoyed it. Plus, the muscles that came along with the work looked good.
On a side note that you may find interesting. I paid all of my credit cards off and stopped using them. Today a card sent me a note that said if I do not charge $200 a month they will charge me a $60 fee to carry their card. Guess integrety and fiscal responsibility can piss your card company off.
I’m with you all the way Larry. I agree and feel for those who can’t find a job, but want to say to the rest “shut up” and go get a job and take responsibility. Thanks again Larry.
Katie, dear you need to see things from more than one side. I need to hire someone right now and, yes, I’m, “asking for supreme qualifications most don’t have.” I want someone who can speak well, show up for work and be ready to work, be appreciative of having a job in a nice environment, not be a whiner… get the idea? I have a small stack of resume’s on file. God knows why because they are all the best of a bunch of junk. Not one applicant can properly respond to a job posting. They send their resume, if they have one, that says NOTHING about what I am asking for as qualifications. I dread having to look for a person again.
I have to say YEAH to you!!! I am a motivational speaker for Single Moms. The other day I received a phone call from someone I had not spoken to in years. As the conversation progressed, it was clear it was about money, her lack of it. And her thinking that I am rich and will help her. She has a 2 year old baby, and her and her husband are not working. They are BROKE.. borrowed all they can from family. I asked her why she cant get a job. She cant leave the baby.. they are artists that make their living that way…but not selling anything now….What?? If you husband is home as well, why cant you leave the baby with him? I am nursing she said, I said well pump. She said he wont.. then it goes on like this. I tell her get a waitressing job, or store, cofffe shop.. anything!She then goes on to say she has a masters degree in art, and she is to educated to work a job like that!! I could not believe it.. here she is almost homeless, no money to feed her kid, and wont take any job!!!! I lost it. I told her that when my first husband died, left no life insurance, had my newborn son.. I did not sit on my butt and wait for someone to fix things. I worked 2 jobs and went to school part time. I did this for about 5 years. I have always made sure we had food and a roof over our heads. Now I own 2 company’s and work my tail off… but I am able to enjoy my life and do what I love out of all that hard work. So I guess she is worth more than $10.00 hr…. 🙂 Hope I dont get a call when she is homeless… I have no room!! 🙂
Larry,
You’re right on point! I work two jobs and I’m sick and tired of people telling me they can’t work for $10 a hour. Work two $10 a hour jobs and guess what…..you now make $20 a hour. I believe in doing what you have to do until you do what you want to do. The people in our country have become lazy and think that they are entitled to get something for nothing. Everybody needs to get a copy of your book, “You’re broke because you want to be!” I realized that my financial situation was no one’s fault but my own….wake up America!
I really needed to read this “rant”! I’m a tool maker/machinist and moved back to Idaho so I could be with my wife. I’ve wanted a career change for years and went to school for private investigation while I was working in Virginia. When I came back I intended to do that but I also needed a job part time to make it while I built my business. The machining jobs are thin and I’m not a cnc guru so I couldn’t find anything. I kept telling myself that I could make more money machining than in other occupations.
What a load of manure!! I could do anything to help my wife and I’ve just been chasing what I hate and can’t find anyway! I needed a kick in the ass and you obliged:-D Much appreciated. Oh I’ve read 2 of your books and it seems I’ve forgotten the lessons.
Jeva, I’m chasing a dream, too. Don’t give up on yours. My hat is off to you, sir.
Thank you soooooo much for stating what I was thinking. What frustrates me the most is when the govt extended unemployment benefits…my experience with a lot of those receiving benefits is that they don’t seriously start looking for work until their benefits are almost gone. I just had one friend just laid off last Friday that told me she was going to take some time off since she would be receiving unemployment benefits. Huh? I was laid off over a year ago and started looking asap because I didn’t even want to claim unemployment if I didn’t have to. I was fortunate enough to find something within two weeks. On the other side of the fence though I have seen people not get available jobs and were told it’s because they were over qualified so did not want to take the time to train them when they would probably leave as soon as they could.
It burns me to no end to hear those scratching their unemployed butt saying they have too much education to do… you name the job. I have never been too proud to take what ever came along to feed, put a roof over my family’s head and pay the bills. Working construction I have worked in 43 of 50 states. My wife stayed at home, saw the bills were paid and took care of the kids. I sent the check home.
Hard? you bet. But in the worst turn-down in my industry I have made more money in the last year than I ever have.
Is it because I am smarter or better educated than someone else. Heck no! It is because they can hire me and get someone who has experience in different trades.
I work with several contractors and while they have laid people off, they are still looking for good workers. You just have to pass the pee test and be willing to put in a good 60 hours.
Yep, 60 hours. Start at 7:00 AM and shut down at 5:30
On one hand I agree with you about how people aren’t willing to work. But you are talking about “going to work for someone else.”
Right now there are about as many new companies forming as there are people going unemployed. What does that say?
To me that says that even though there are people that can’t find work, there are people who are creating their own work.
As a business coach working with a lot of these startups, I’ve found that IF someone wants to work, all they have to do is create what they want and go sell it to someone. THose companies who everyone is saying aren’t hiring, are hiring outside contractors left and right. They are certainly hiring my clients and paying them more than they made while working for someone else.
You might ask why they are getting contact work when other people are not able to go to work inside of the companies. One reason is that these people are going in, selling themselves on VALUE that they bring to the table. Many of those “looking for a job” hand a resume over that says nothing about the value they bring and then they wonder why they don’t get hired.
In today’s environment there’s more competition out there. As you said there’s 15M unemployed, so the competition is stiff, but, you know what? It’s not hard to get work if you are willing to stand up and say “here’s what I bring to the table.”
Those not working haven’t done that.
Couldn’t agree more. Larry, you should write a book called You don’t have a job because you’re a lazy idiot.
Larry,
I think that a lot of the problems with our economy today is that there are too many cry baby pannywaists out there whose feelings get hurt if they have to roll up their sleeves and DO something! What can we expect when we have government schools who say you can’t spank little Johnny when he misbehaves and that we are bad parents if Johnny doesn’t have a Playstation 3, an X-box 360 and a Wie console with all the latest games. Oh, and did I forget the plasma TV with 120 cable channels & HBO or premium satellite service!
Get real! The last time I was unemployed, I went back to school to finish my Bachelor’s degree and in the meantime worked selling insurance. The time before that, when I was fired from my job due to the onset of diabetes, I went to work for the census (door to door). The census is dying to find qualified workers that pays way more than $ 10 per hour. Ninety-nine weeks of unemployment (welfare- the words are interchangable). What a joke! (The joke’s on us, unfortunately.)
I have been married almost 18 years and in that time I have worked for as little as $ 5.20 an hour. It didn’t go very far, but with the odd jobs I took to supplement things and my wife’s babysitting jobs, we got by. No millionaire status, but we didn’t wait for a government bailout. I didn’t have a choice. It’s called RESPONSIBILITIES!
As much as I dislike illegal aliens taking advantage of our country, I’d rather rub elbows with them instead of my own countrymen and women who ask us to support them because … (fill in the blank)! The lazy bums that want to take an extended vacation on my dime are the ones who should be deported. Like my dad told me when I was a kid and had chores to do, “No workie, NO EATIE!”
Our nation is going to go down the toilet if these bums don’t get off the couch and get to work!
Dear Larry
I so like it when you say that there are no have and have nots but will and will nots – I have had some inheritiance but I have also had to work very hard to get ahead – and not go broke
I have studied Law full time as an adult paid all the fees/books etc and worked part time at the same time and kept a home and food/clean/garden etc and look now after my mum and …..
I had to give up many things a few – I don’t watch TV hardly ever go out but ….. everyone needs to think what they want to have/be latter in life and get going on working towards such
cheers Miriam
Man, you’re talking what I’ve been thinking. I have a connection on Facebook that tries to justify why he won’t take a job for less than what some formula says. If it doesn’t pay that minimum he refuses to look at it. Meanwhile, his savings are dwindling. He won’t take a job to at least slow the bleeding.
His isn’t the only time I’ve heard this sob story, either. Jeez.
I’ve gone looking for a job in good economies and still found it difficult to get work. Willing to work, rarin’ to go. Put in the applications, follow up, still nothing. Rinse and repeat.
The thing that sucks, and I’d love to see your thoughts on this, is that I put in many applications at places claiming they were “Desperate for people! Hiring immediately!” and then seeing the same signs on the same places three months later after hearing nothing. And this was when the economy was good!
Thing is, I found getting a job seems to have the same difficulty in a bad economy as in a good one. You still have to pound the pavement. I did that and I get minimum wage doing counter work and sign shaking. I’m looking for a second job as well.
Thing is, if you choose to be creative there’s money to be made on the internet as well. Write an e-book on something you’re good at. Get paid for reviews. Sell stuff on Second Life. It’s there! Like a job, it takes work, I won’t lie. If you’re not willing to do the work, don’t complain when the money doesn’t come.
Creativity works offline too,, again if you’re willing to do the work.
Blessings, Larry
Winget, I think you’re a self-absorbed, greedy rich person who has no idea what the average working person in this country has put up with for the past couple of decades. Just because you wear boots and jeans doesn’t mean you’re a working person. You’ve been so overpaid for your loud voice with your rude manner that you’re completely out of touch – like the pinheads in D.C. Unemployment benefits are not a viable wage – you can barely survive on them. No one in their right mind would stay on benefits when they could get a job. I am highly educated and my job has been falling in wage/salary for almost 20 years now to the point now where I’m barely hanging on. I work twice as much as I used to and still make 2/3rds or less of what I used to get. I can’t afford health or dental ins. and haven’t seen a doctor in 4 years – I order my thyroid drugs from Mexico and hope there is real medicine in it that it’s not just sugar tablets.
I’m tired of bigmouthed rich people in this country telling the rest of us to shut and work harder.
Larry,
I’ve been enjoying your powerful content since my mom gave me “It’s Called Work For A Reason’ and ‘Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get A Life.’
My wife Cassandra and I are new to parent hood, and absolutely adore our first son Kaden Thomas Pryor Lucas. I (we) chose Kaden because the name means “Fighter” in Celtic.
I’ll be enjoying “Your Kids Are Your Own Fault” once I’m done with your other books.
Thank you very much for offering straight-up advice!
Scott Lucas
I fully agree with this rant! I’m now 27 and worked 2 jobs to put myself through college so i would have minimal loans. While I have no family to support… both of my parents are deceased, so unlike many my age i have no one to fall back on but me (i dont consider the gov’t unemployment a backup – it is a LAST resort).
I have been laid off during this recession.. when it happened, i took those same 8 hours i used to spend at the office and used them for job searching. It took me only 2 months to get a job… and even that was long by my standards. So many people don’t realize that LOOKING for a job IS A JOB!
It’s incredible to me to see people living off unemployment like its okay! When did this become okay? What kind of personal integrity to you have that this is okay with you?
It sounds like these people need to go through some REAL struggles in their lives so they can begin to realize that – while we do deserve the best – the world owes us nothing. Nothing at all.
It does not owe us our dream job – the one we are passionate about and jump out of bed in the morning for. It does not owe us a job that pays well and looks good. It doesn’t even owe us a job at all. Those are the privileges in life that we will get to enjoy if we have done the work and are deserving. And yes, even a crappy job is a privilege.
To Steve Watson (on March 9th, 2010 9:30 am)
May I send my resume to you? I speak and write well and I am never late for work! What is your profession and where are you located? Thank you.
And many thaks to you, Larry, for your insights and level-headed comments….and wonderful books!
oh, for heaven’s sake……I usually spell correctly…..when I’m not hitting the submit button too soon!!
Couldn’t agree more with most of what you wrote, but let’s get real. Starting in 2005 (yeah, that far back) companies from mom and pop down the way to Boeing were closing entire departments while sending viable work to India.
I know because from 2005 to mid-2009 it was my job to go into various companies when they were outsourcing and shutting down departments. Being an accountant didn’t win you any friends because everyone assumed we were putting them out of work, incorrect but they had to blame somebody.
Now here’s where I can’t quite agree with you. People who have been hit with the “Oh, you’re 50+ age degrade” are being laid off in record numbers. When your resume or experience or God forbid they also want an application filled out clearly shows you are not ‘cute and 20’ anymore, the chances of being hired for any job goes down the tubes. Wal-Mart can’t hire everybody over 50.
All the insults that can’t be proven in a court of law comes out the woodwork, from they have no computer skills to they are stuck in their ways and won’t accept less.
Nice for the talking heads at media networks but it’s not down here where people live and it’s far from the truth!
People in their 50’s are online in record numbers, use the same Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn sites as anyone else. What they have is years of experience no one wants at a time when the literacy rate in this country has hit an all time low.
Other than that – great post:)
Larry, once again you are right on target, especially the part about the illegal aliens (not even the illegal ones, but the immigrants that are here legally working). I own a small business (housekeeping) and had employees for a while. My hispanic employee far surpassed the commitment and quality that most of my caucasian employees displayed. I’m willing to bet that the majority of successful Americans in the next 10-20 years will be hispanic. Why? Because, like you said, they’ll do anything, they do it well and they live within their means. Not only that, their cultural differences help them financially too (multi generational living). It’s interesting to read all of these posts. I’ve been wanting to give up the cleaning business because a) I’m getting older and it’s harder on me physically and, b) because my true passion is working in the big city (Chicago) in an administrative role (I gave up my big city job 16 years ago to come home and raise my children). Now, I’ve gone back to school (full-time), have been looking for that “perfect” job in Chicago, but am still cleaning. I have to tell you – I AM BLESSED! I have lost very little business due to the economy and I make very good money for just a few hours a day. Plus, once I finish my degree, I will be in a better position to find my dream job. My point in all this is – “don’t give up!” Keep working hard at what you’re doing because it is a stepping stone to the next adventure in your career, whatever industry you may be in. Be grateful, help others where and when you can, and above all stop complaining. We are still in a lot better position that many people in this world. Thanks for letting me ‘rant’. 🙂
Larry
I am continuing using your Practical advices and my everyday Life lessons.
Bank Credit=0-I have used all the advices From “You are broke because you want to be”
Super Possitive Cash Flow…I use the book “It is Called Work for a reason”
What else….. I need more Books from you … something Practical for Self-Starters…
p.s. Maybe some people will say – “It is Not Fair and so on”, But for all moaning and whining – Please don’t forget and inform/educate yourself that we are in the Monetary System and while the Federal Reserve print /produce $$$ the rest of World+all Americans will WORK for $$$…that is the only Way for Control over the humanity…in this Stage of the Society progression…
yes Larry,,,, what you told here is not only in America is every where in the world because we all human being.
I am a Pakistani,,,(a good Pakistani) I am living in Spain. so I am inmigrant and I am running my own buissiness, but about 10 months ago I had not even 1 euro in th pocket to buy a cafe( I swear).
I just spoken 2 days ago with a healthy young spanish (unemployet, more than 5 onths) guy. I asked him why are you not working ?
no hay nada Nasir., there is nothing out there was his reply.
I said to him, look there is always something out there,, yes I work and than later they dont pay me, was reply.
so later I found out that he has a ;;guarntee income,; FROM THE GOVERNMENT. every month, so I thought why he would go to work to earn money when he is getting from the government doing nothing,
I could not kick him on the butt as larry would have done.
But yes to change the system we have to change the people first.
thanks Larry.
Great post, Larry. I just have to comment on this one…
A few months ago, my daughter and her husband came from out of state to stay with my wife and me. They came from a state hit very hard by unemployment to our state, which is one of the least affected. In fact, we’ve lived here for a few years now, and I haven’t noticed that much of a difference from the boom years a couple of years ago to the bust years now. OK, a few national chains went belly-up and their stores are gone, and there are a couple of local places having trouble, but it’s not too bad. Well, they got here and promptly went to work – playing games on the computer, quitting the first job they were able to get as it was “beneath them” and taking up space. I bought your book “Your Broke Because You Want To Be” some time ago, and left it lying about where I knew they’d see it. My daughter’s husband acted offended. Needless to say, they’re no longer living with us, I sent them back to where they came from. Yes, my own daughter. If that’s the kind of laziness and nose-in-the-air-I’m-too-good-for-that-job attitude I’m going to get, then I have no time to waste on them.
Well, now I’m the one in between jobs. My consulting contract came to an end a couple of weeks ago. However, I do have an edge – because I’m very good at what I do, make a lot of friends along the way, maintain a strong reputation, and continually work to improve myself, I won’t be on the market for long. Tomorrow I have an interview, set up by the consulting firm I worked for. That will probably yield a position I’d actually enjoy and learn a lot from, but even if it doesn’t, I have other options, and will pick up dog poop if I have to.
I’ve been laid off twice, and had to do jobs I really didn’t want to do. Guess what, folks? It’s not forever. OK, so maybe the job isn’t what you’re looking for. It pays the bills, doesn’t it? And you don’t have to stay there forever, just stop being so lazy and go look for what you really want, after you’ve secured your income.
Maggie McCormack – you are SO right when you say “no one in their right mind would stay on benefits when they could get a job.” No one in their RIGHT mind would, yet the studies say that is exactly what is happening. By the way, I wasn’t always a big mouthed rich person wearing boots and jeans. I was once a big mouthed BROKE person in a suit. And the fact that I travel the United States every week talking to REAL Americans and that I interact with real folks here every day, helps me stay in touch with regular folks who work hard, take responsibility and do the right thing regardless of what they are facing. Like the people who have posted right here and don’t seem to agree with your drivel. I never argue with people who don’t have a clue about that which they speak – it wouldn’t be a fair fight. So I am not going to argue with you. You should probably try figuring out WHO you are talking to and WHAT you are talking about before stating your opinion especially when what you say can’t be backed up by any facts and has no validity.
Thanks so much to each of you for these great comments. Great to hear stories of hard work and determination! All to best to each of you!
Larry,
YOU ARE 100% CORRECT. People are not willing to start at the bottom and work their way up anymore. I think it may partly be sense of entitlement from being handed material items at a young age (the BEST computers, the BEST cell phones, the BEST fashions) and the fact that this next generation does not seem to be taught good work ethics. Many kids are not getting summer or after school jobs anymore. Why? So they can spend their time competing for scholarships? Competing in after-school sports? Getting only straight A’s? Competing to be the BEST? Their focus equals the saying “It’s all about me!” The other day one of our twenty-something year old employees “texted out” instead of calling to say they were not able to come in for their next 3 shifts without a reason. That is poor judgement, disrespectful, and shows lack of maturity. Somewhere this young adult got the impression that this was accepatble behavior! My guess is that they were not taught about responsibility, work ethics, and work etiquette because their parents had them focus on “themselves” and what was right for them instead of thinking of others and the larger world around them. Another twenty something year old, in our town, was recently in a car accident and took off because he was afraid of what would happen to HIM!! How about the other people he hit! He never stopped to see if they were ok (thankfully they were). This twisted focus in the “all about me” generation has produced selfish introverts who have no conception of the way the real world works. Why are parents so blind that they pressure their kids to be “perfect”? Life isn’t perfect so let kids truly learn and experience it the way it is supposed to be!! Then people won’t have the silly notion that they are the BEST and they are entitled to the BEST job immediately.
Larry I love your response to Maggie. Some people still just don’t get it no matter how many facts are lined up in front of them.
You said it Larry!
Larry, thanks for all the great info. I just finished reading “It’s Called Work For a Reason” and have a gem to share with you. My first job was with Hanover Shoes in Maryland. I was a store manager at the ripe old age of 18 in Columbia Square Mall. At that time the company was owned by Clarks of London. One day our company president came to the store along with the Clark brothers. He tried some high pressure sales crap on one of my customers, who promptly told him to “get out of my face”. I gave the customer some space then went over and introduced myself as the store manager. I didn’t pressure him and said if he saw anything he liked or had questions just ask. Long story short, he bought over $300 worth of product…this was in 1978. One of the Clark brothers told our president that he could learn a thing or two from me. Needless to say he was ticked and eventually found a way for me to be let go. Best move I ever made at that time. I joined the Air Forece and served our country. Came home, met my wife. That was 21 years ago. We graduated college recently with degrees in film and video production and we are starting our own small video production business. Thanks again.
I echo the same remarks Larry made, but I also want to add that unemployment is a government creation. Thanks to the minimum wage and unemployment compensation, people are either paid to not to work or can’t get suitable work because the bottom rungs of the ladder have been knocked off.
There is not limit to work. It is infinite. There will always be a job. ALWAYS. This is economics. Quit paying unemployment and eliminate the minimum wage, and the unemployed will find a job.
Very true, Larry.
And once again, this is not only an US-problem, but a problem in Germany as well 8and I bet in other countries, too). What I find very disturbing is when the yellow press even writes about some of these people, thus giving them a stage for saying things like “I didn’t work in 35 years because I get all I need from the state”…this is perverted!
I recall my own situation when I finished university two years ago. I took the first job I found which was a part time job and only gave me 400 Euros a month and I was totally overqualified, but I wanted to have at least some money to start with. Soon they realised what I was capable of and I got to do more complicated stuff that nobody else in the company could do. You really can work yourself up from the bottom.
I think it’s a question of character. Some people are embarassed if they get money for not working and would rather do a job they’re overqualified for, while others just enjoy sitting at home all day long watching talk shows…I’m glad I’m not one of them.
Larry, while I agree with most of your point, I also have to disagree about filling the void. If you run a business and can’t find legal workers you should not turn to hiring someone who is here illegally. If you can’t find legal workers it’s because you suck. Your pay sucks, your job sucks, your hours suck or you suck as a business owner. To hire someone legal you would need to change at least one of the above categories. While able bodied people should take whatever they can find, able bodied business owners need to do what it take to hire able bodied legal workers.
Caught you at the HDI conference, you were great.
Larry,
You are so very right! I lost a very good paying job about a year ago. I was so depressed, and thankfully I had my fiance to help pay the bills while I looked for work, plus we took our wedding money we had saved to help get us by. I have a couple different degrees, and I could not find work in my field. Finally, I started apply to anything I thought I could do. I found a waitressing position to a brand new diner about 16 miles from my house. I worked there for about a month, and figured out that it was costing me more in gas to drive there and back than I was making. They just did not have any business. But I did find another job bartending a couple of days a week, the money was not as good as I was making, but it helped pay our bills. Which can be expensivve with three kids only a year apart each. So, when it got close to Christmas, I went to the mall, and guess what, I found another job! It was only supossed to be temporary, but they ended up keeping me, and now I am working towards a promotion. Is this really where I saw myself at 33, not really. But crap happens, and I am doing whatever it takes to get out of this hole. I was not very smart with my money when I was making more. But I am now going to school again to become a high school History teacher, being a CPA just is not what I want to do. Yea, things are still tight, I am no longer bartending because school is more important. I bought you book, You’re Broke Because You Want to Be, because I saw you on Tool Academy, and I thought you were brilliant. You are real, and everybody needs to be more real and just put it out there. I thought I knew how to get ahead, but I was definitely missing some points, and I think I also just was not willing to give certain things up that I had become accustom to. I am ready now, and I have already cut up my cards!! Thank you, and I look forward to reading more of your books!
Larry,
I completely agree that most of society has delusions of grandeur. They don’t want to work hard but they feel they are owed something by society. They are getting help but the help comes at the cost of those who are working their butts off and barely making ends meet.
I know of several couples with kids who are purposely not getting married so the mom can file as a ‘single parent’ and get all kinds of government aid including financial aid for school. I know of people who are unemployed and are getting unemployment but working under the table so they can double dip. It really makes me sick to my stomach.
I paid my own way through college and filed bankruptcy shortly after I earned my B.A. I spent the last 4 years building my credit back up and I used a lot of the suggestions from your book “You’re broke because you want to be”. I lived within my means, I started doing my own hair/nails, I even quit smoking!!! I started reading more about business management and decided to go back for my M.S. in Management.
I’m one of the millions looking for work but I’m not on unemployment. I still can’t qualify for any financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. I have to borrow every cent and add that to what I still owe for my undergraduate. If I was recovering from a drug problem or bringing children into the world that I can’t afford to take care of the Government would help me out. But I chose to do the right thing so I have to work harder than others to get what I want. I am not above minimum wage! I just want to work and contribute something to society. I don’t know why nobody wants to hire me. I keep hearing ‘overqualified’ but isn’t that kind of an oxymoron. If I’m sooo qualified than I would probably do the job better than the half-wit that is going to get hired.
So anyways you are mostly correct but I still know of people like me who are just getting overlooked in the market. Thanks for all of your wonderful advice!
Larry,
I just wanted to drop by and say hi; I love your books, your quotes, and even your clothing style.
I just wonder do you ever draw, design or generally like the arts?
Best wishes & Respect x
Larry,
You hit the nail on the head! I’m a Branch Manager for a temporary staffing firm now, and have worked in the industry (and the same company) for 12 years now. Even though the economy isn’t brilliant, we have work available for people that want to work. Granted, many of the jobs start at $8/hr, but we offer full benefits to our temps from day 1 for about $15/week for an individual (much less than what I pay). Every day we have people come in and apply, but when we offer them work they turn it down. Why? Because they earn close to the same amount in unemployment and would rather sit at home doing nothing than put in an honest day’s work. The exception – undocumented workers. However, we can’t send them out to work. Many of the clients we work with offer temp to hire work where upon hire (about 90 days down the line) the associate will make much more money and have a full-time job.
When my commission plummeted last year due to some of our clients going under, I got a second job. Did I complain that I was only assisting someone around an office when I’m used to running an office? NO! Why? Because there is honor in work, and I refused to modify my home loan or default on a payment. My parents taught me well, and I thank you for trying to teach people the same lesson!
Rock on!
Again….Larry, you are full of it. Full of the things we need to learn and read about. That is why I love to stop by and reload.
Thanks again.
Linking Action to Success.
R. Lynn Lane
Warrior Of Success
I purchased “You’re Broke Because You Want To Be” Excellent, excellent reading. If enough people embraced your philosophies, it would start a revolution. I totally respect your in-your-face communication style and the raw honesty that accompanies it. If a person has a glimmer of conscience or integrity you can speak it back to life. Do you understand what a mind-blowing gift that is, in this world that loves denial and duplicity so much. I had to face up to the fact that I am falling short on my parenting, and the way I handle my personal finances. But your message gives me the courage to tackle it, and the faith that my family and I will prevail over the problems. Thank you so much for just being real, for being who you are. This country needs 9,999,999 folks who talk your talk and walk yor walk. Because you are for what’s right, I consider you my “brother” We probably couldn’t be any more different externally, but when truth meets truth, something powerful happens. So, allow me to say, brother, keep on keeping on with this great work.
Right on Larry! I have two jobs. My son wants to go to private catholic school and I have bills to pay off. I got my full time job and my part time job working 60+ hours a week. The part time job is at major retailer. I don’t wanna hear excuses!!
Larry,
I completely agree with what you are saying in this post.
Having said that, I wanted to ask your advice. I am nearing 30 and have never held a job for longer than a year, due to being in school, necessary moves and a very controlling husband (who I finally was able to divorce last year).
The time I spent out of the workplace causes many potential employers to pause when assessing my resume. I am a very dedicated worker…when I am able to secure a job. I do realize that nothing is beneath me. When I separated from my husband in 2008, I took a job as a cocktail waitress, even though I had no experience and, though there was a part of me that said it was beneath me, I had to do what I had to do and I wanted to do it well.
I have since moved to another state and have had an amazingly difficult time finding work. Even the minimum wage jobs I’ve applied for, I am not getting interviews for. I have talked to many potential employers about ways to strengthen my resume and skill set and I’m not getting much feedback. I have recently decided to return to school to pursue my MBA so that I can reach my dream of owning my own business.
I am currently the (unpaid) intern of an Executive Director for the type of business that I eventually want to own in order to provide the credentials for graduate school. I am also looking for work, but will be moving back to my hometown of Tulsa, OK (I know you’re familiar with Tulsa) in June.
My question is: Do you have any advice on how I can find work that allows me to still continue my interning, gets me the money I need and work that I am not going to feel guilty for walking out on in a month?
I have a strong work ethic, so I feel badly for taking a job and then leaving them in a lurch when I move. I am currently registered with several employment agencies and am getting work, but it is very sparse right now. I am a highly skilled administrative and executive assistant. I have posted ads on craigslist for “Girl Friday” work. I have applied for fast food and mall work, but have been told that I am “overqualified”, to which I say: “But I am willing to work.” I feel like an untouchable in this current economy and I’m not sure what else I could be doing to make it work for me.
I am currently re-reading “Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get A Life” and reading other books on employment, as well as studying for my entrance exam for graduate school. The rest of my days are spent interning and job hunting. I’m in an unfamiliar city where I don’t know anyone and feel like networking is difficult, especially since so many networking opportunities are paid events.
Any ideas? All will be much appreciated.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration in regards to my situation. Feel free to email me if you want/need any further information about me, my background or my current situation. Thank you, again.
I totally agree…too many people are feeling a sense of entitlement and are lazy. The sad part is that those who go out and pound the pavement after being laid off, get a job (like my son-in-law), then get laid off again get penalized by unemployment. He was actually told that his benefit would be reduced because he took a job making less than his prior job. When he protested, the worker told him that he would have been better off “not rocking the boat”. That is a pathetic thing to tell a young man who actually has a work ethic and will do whatever you ask him to in order to earn a paycheck….it’s a sad sign of the mentality of our country.
Larry, I know you enjoy reading a good book of fiction and was wondering if you ever thought of writing your own fiction book? Also what is the next book coming down the line? Have loved all you books but my two favorites are Shut Up and Your Kids. Also really enjoyed People Are Idiots. Shit, they are all my favorites! Thanks and keep up the amazing work-Brian
“I had a guy write me this week on my Facebook fan page saying he had stopped looking for work as well. His comment was, “I am worth more than $10 an hour.” Really? If you are an able-bodied person sitting on your butt watching television and drawing unemployment or any other government assistance when there is a job you could take and yet you don’t take it, I will agree, you are not worth $10 an hour – you aren’t worth ANYTHING!!!! You are a loser! A lazy good for nothing loser.”
Exactly! Your worth what the market will pay. If you can’t find jobs that will pay you $10 per hour then you can either choose not to work or you can take a lower paying job until things turn back around.
Larry, you just have too much common sense.
God bless you.
If all or most of the unemployed are whiny crybabies who think the available jobs are beneath them, then why did McDonald’s get over 1,000,000 applications for 62,000 jobs on their April 19, 2011 national hiring day. Why did applicants line up overnight and wait in the rain for a part-time, no-benefits, hamburger flipping job if they’re all part of the entitlement class.
This “Everyone else is a whiny loser” shtick is getting very old!