Rich Jones’ Internal Fortitude Helps Weather Career Transition
Life is unpredictable and uncontrollable. The good times are easy. What about the bad?
What if you can prepare yourself in advance for future, unseen, adverse events? Your preparation can give you the power you need when adversity strikes. Fortunately, many of the seemingly difficult challenges you experience while you are young, can become the tempering you need to deal with tough issues later in life.
According to information from the Mayo Clinic, past learnings often come in to play when you face difficulties in the future. They note that you CAN prepare yourself for your future adversities by proving to yourself that you handled difficulties in the past.
Rich Jones didn’t know that his experience as a 20-year-old Marine recruit going through bootcamp was going to one day help him get through some of the most difficult times of his life. Countless physical and mental challenges as a young Marine built his fortitude and internal strength. He knew at that time he was being prepared for battle.
But here he was 35 years later in his fifties being tested in a different fight… the world of corporate politics, financial spreadsheets and earning reports.
Rich explained, “After a successful long-term career in the insurance industry, my company changed the compensation program to reduce my income substantially. I had no other choice but to leave a job and role that I loved. Being forced out of a company that I gave my heart and soul to for so many years was a terrible letdown.”
It’s not uncommon among older professionals to be on the short list for staff reduction when companies need to reduce costs. Typically, older employees with longer tenure have higher incomes and higher associated benefit costs. There are laws against age-based discrimination, but these are easily maneuvered by how the “event” is defined.
Rich went on, “I was facing all those pressures that many of us do in middle age, such as mortgage payments, college expenses, and more. It wasn’t the best time to be looking for work.”
When you are in the middle of adversity, you can be vulnerable to criticism, real or perceived. In Rich’s case, when he shared his job loss circumstances to some, the jokes started to come out. One taunt really struck him hard, “At your age, the only job you’ll get is a greeter at Walmart!”
That was a seminal moment for Rich. A self-proclaimed “glass half full guy,” it only steeled his resolve to turn this circumstance into a gift.
He sent out hundreds of resumes, but things were taking longer than Rich hoped.
“I began to my clarify my priorities, and locked into a clear direction,” he said. “I centered my focus on Marketing jobs and began to gain traction. After about six months, I was in my final interview for a great job that ultimately led me to the Credit Union Industry. And I’ve been a part of this wonderful industry ever since.”
Focus is important when facing adversity. It’s easy for the event to become a much bigger problem than it really is. One can lose perspective during the battle.
“I found that many of the tools that came from my early military experience helped me deal with that period and continues to help me to this day. Part of it is building the internal confidence that comes from doing difficult things and creating a positive outcome,” he explained. “During the entire time I was going through this period I continued to keep myself physically fit and mentally strong. And I still rely on that to this day.”
Twenty years after his transition, Rich is still going strong. A popular Credit Union Industry figure, his successful consulting business helps clients throughout the United States accomplish their corporate dreams and mission.
“Age is just a number,” Rich said, “My daily runs have gone from four miles down to two, but it still fills up my tank. It helps me stay upbeat and focused. It’s a reminder to me that every day I get to choose whether I become a victim or a victor.”