I was reading Seth Godin’s Blog entitled “Ordinary is Cheaper Than You,”
where he explains that if companies want employees who are merely
“ordinary,” they can out source them from off-shore, have the work done
by computers, etc.  The gist being if you are ordinary, your job is at
risk (and the possibility of finding work — if you are unemployed — is
minimal.)

That reminded me of something I learned from one of my mentors a
long time ago: There’s always room at the top.  I remember him saying,
“Let’s say you are in charge.  You don’t really need anybody right
now.  In fact, your business is slow and you are actually thinking
about laying off a couple of people.  And let’s say someone comes in
your door looking for a job.  We’ll say she’s a brilliant marketer, one
you’ve heard of, and her success is widely known in your field.  She
tells you she has always wanted to work for your company, and wonders
if you have anything available.  Do you talk to her?”

“Of course I would talk to her,” I replied.  “But,” he said, “You
just told me you were strapped and thinking of laying people off.  Why
would you talk to this woman?”  I replied that I would talk to her
because it’s likely she could help my business.  “That’s right,” he
said.  “And if she’s that good, you would make room for her even if you
had to make adjustments somewhere else.”

Hence, the point that there’s always room at the top.  If you are
the best around at what you do, there will always be employment
somewhere.  Somebody will make adjustments somewhere else to make room
for you, even if they weren’t looking for someone and even if they
don’t need someone right now.  You won’t ever have to worry about
finding a good situation  –  a good situation will find you.  It
doesn’t matter if we’re heading into another big recession.  It doesn’t
matter if the real estate market is tanking.  It doesn’t matter if your
industry is tanking.  If you are the best, there’s always a place for
you.

On the other hand, if you’re  “Joe-Average” at everything you do,
you are at risk.  You’re at risk of losing the job you have now, and
you’re at risk of not being able to find something in the future. 
You’re unlikely to reach your potential, or realize your dreams.  The
American dream is realized by (and fueled by) winners (read in people
who are among the best at what they do.)

Commit yourself today to be the very best at what you do.  I’ve
heard employees say, “I hate working here.  These people don’t
appreciate it when you do a good job.”  That may be true, but if you’re
really as good as you think you are, somewhere out there is a company
who’s looking for someone to do exactly what you do.  The problem
arises when because you think nobody notices — or cares (they really
do) — you start slacking.  Then your reputation in the industry is one
of a slacker.  Then that company who’s looking for someone with your
skills passes you over.  They’re looking for someone at the top of
their game, not a slacker.

If you’re going to get ahead in your career — and inflation-proof
yourself, with everything that goes with that — you have to commit to
being the best in your field every day of your life.  It has to happen
whether someone appreciates you or not.  It has to happen whether you
feel well today or not.  It has to happen every minute of every day. 
When you do that, you will rise to prominence in your field and you
will never have to worry about your career again.

Remember:  There’s always room at the top!  It’s the middle and bottom where things are cluttered up.