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Stop Whining ... This Is Radio
June 16, 2015
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I talk to a lot of radio folk on a weekly basis and there is a persistent notion from way too many. It's the idea that radio is always easier for the other guy. Some of the conversations are about what to do to advance or get another opportunity with another station and company. I realize people approach life from all angles, but some personalities are on a constant negative slope.
In the movie, 'Major League II,' manager Lou Brown was fed up with his team going through the motions after the team's previous success. He started to make a locker room speech that was interrupted by a mistaken heart attack -- which turned out to be stress-related. Regardless, the words he did get out hit the nail on the head in terms of people and excuses.
In response to Lou's pleading with the team, Coach Jake Taylor (The previous year's hero as a catcher with bad knees) said, "Oh Skip they were a different team last year."
Manager Brown: "Taylor, it's not your job around here to make excuses. That's all you guys do good! It's either a leg thing, or a spiritual thing, or a psychological thing, or a heart attack!
Jake: Who used a heart attack?
Brown: Me.
That's when he collapsed and the team feared the worse. However, it you ever saw the movie, it triggered a series of funny events, the team stopped complaining, and they started having success again.
Half Full ... Half Empty
I recently had conversations with two different personalities with different attitudes towards a turn of events with their jobs. Ironically, both are in good situations, but one of the gentlemen always has a twinge of negativity in his words, regardless of how well anything turns out. I will label them as Jock 1 and Jock 2.
Jock 1 Story
Jock 1: Thanks for getting back with me. Here's the situation: The job I came here for is being eliminated and they are moving me to another position.
Coach: Okay, I don't hear a problem. It sounds as if things have already been handled and it's in your favor. But I have to admit, it is a little strange, you've only been there for a few months. Does your money stay the same?
Jock 1: Yes, but this is not what I came here for.
Coach: Dude, this year you are making $25,000 more than you did last year and with a much better health insurance package for you and your family. And the problem is?
Jock 1: Yeah, but the cost of living is a bit higher here and this job they want me to do is not something I want to do.
Coach: Isn't the guy who brought you in an old ally of yours?
Jock 1: He is.
Coach: So is this other gig a step down or something?
Jock 1: No, but the point is, I am not gonna...
Coach: Stop, I hate to cut you off, but you have no idea what you will learn from the new position or how you will be able to use it later for your career. My friend, stuff happens. Most times, when positions are suddenly eliminated, the gig is over regardless of the amount of time spent at a company. In your case, they just slid you over and your salary and benefits are intact.
Jock 1: Yeah, but I want to know what else is out there.
Coach: You need to keep your ass there and learn. No one would ever understand why you would leave at this point. Unless this is only a temporary thing and they do plan on getting rid of you.
Jock 1: No, my longtime mentor is my boss and he said this is real and that the elimination could not be avoided. Check this out: He wants me to write up a proposal on something else he thinks he can put me in charge of. Sam, I want to see what's out there.
Coach: Sorry, this is one time I won't help you. You are being irrational and not hearing what's going on. Your boss is about to let you write your own ticket.
Jock 1: Well, there better be more money if that's the case.
Coach: Really? Do you hear yourself? There are guys out here trying to find jobs and, I might add, very qualified veterans with great track records, and you're complaining they want to keep you at your company but shift you over. To top it off, your boss is a friend and you've been there for only five months. The problem is, you don't know when things are good. It sounds like the company likes you.
Jock 1: I guess, but I see your point, they paid for the move and let my wife and I have a month to find a place to live. But I am trying to figure out my next move.
Coach: Look, I know you are disappointed, but take the time to learn the new gig or better yet, see what the proposal you've been asked for does for you.
Jock 1: Okay, I just haven't looked at it in the way you have.
Coach: You are in the driver's seat. Things will be fine; now get your head back in the game. I am not saying you shouldn't always have your eye out for the next rung on the ladder, but to actually try and make a move after having only been there a minute is nuts. Get that proposal done for your friend and relax.
Jock 2 Story
Jock 2: My contract will be up in two weeks and the station is not renewing it.
Coach: What is the plan?
Jock 2: I have talked with some guys about other programming jobs available, but the pay is not all that great. But I have made another decision. I love radio and have enjoyed it, I have found a non-radio job for double what I can make in radio.
Coach: What's the job?
Jock 2: It's in finance. I figured I might as well put my degree to use for a while. I start in a month. The base salary is good, but the bonuses are stupid. I am looking forward to starting. I will miss radio, but after a while, I will try and get a weekend gig. It can then be a hobby thing. At some point I do plan to get back into radio on a full-time basis.
Coach: Good for you, I like how you think.
Conclusion
Both Jock 1 and Jock 2 have good situations, but totally different energies towards change. You have to be willing to learn and always allow yourself the opportunity to make the choice to move forward. Adjustment is the name of the game and keeping yourself in a realistic state of mind. No one owes any of us anything, so stop looking at every bump as if the world has stopped liking you. Everything lost is a new opportunity, not a punishment.
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