In his book, Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door, Harvey Mackay gives invaluable advice on keeping, obtaining, and thriving at a job. There are as many ways to make yourself indispensable as there are reasons for your boss to cut you loose. You’ve just got to be observant enough to see opportunity.

First, you start working half days. It doesn’t matter what half. There are 24 hours in a day and it doesn’t matter what half  of those you spend at work. Volunteering is the first step towards opportunity. What does your boss hate? Volunteer to do those tasks. First, you will gain additional expertise, and second, your boss will think twice, before making you walk out the door. Be optimistic. It’s not always easy, but it pays off. Help build the company and rebuild. Persevere and think of ways to solves problems, and improve efficiency. Educate yourself, look at resumes of those positions you aspire too, and stock up on relevant reading. In today’s environment, it’s not that you can’t find the knowledge; it’s likely you simply don’t take the time.

The reason why so many people are part of massive company cutbacks is often that they did not take the initiative themselves to redefine their own jobs and make them more relevant. What are you doing today that is more or less important than several months ago? What are things your boss does that drains his or her energy? What are customers complaining about? What can you do about it?

If you lose a job, remember, He or she who burns bridges better a very good swimmer. Discouragement on the loss of a job is too often a reality. You need to surround yourself with encouraging people who are positive, upbeat, and challenge you to reach for the stars and climb the higher mountain.

Historical author Nathaniel Hawthorne lost his job at a customshouse. When he went home to tell his family, his wife Sophia was joyous. “Now you can write your book,” she told him. Unconvinced Hawthorne said “what shall we live on while I am writing it? Sophia opened a drawer that contained enough money to live on for a year and explained how she had saved the money each week, planning ahead. With discouragement gone, Hawthorne launched on writing his first book.  Shaquille O’Neal an NBA superstar center was a high school star at 14. But when he attended a basketball camp, he was just one of many; he got no attention. His confidence in his dream to be a basketball pro took a nosedive. In his discouragement, when he thought almost all was lost, he got some very good advice and encouragement that changed his life. Mackay’s Moral: You aren’t finished when you are defeated, you are finished when you quit.

If at first you don’t succeed… you’re doing about average. Don’t let your worth be defined by others. Point your head in the right direction and get back in the game. Really smart people know creativity often beats knowledge.

Story: Professor Bonk taught chemistry at Duke University. One year three guys were taking chemistry and doing well. They were each getting solid great grades going into the final exam. They were so confident they took a weekend off to party with friends. They didn’t make it back to Duke in time to study for the exam. Professor Bonk agreed they could have an extra day to study. The three guys were elated. The story about the flat tire delaying the trip without a spare gave Professor Bonk an idea.  The guys studied all day. The next day at the exam, Professor Bonk placed them is separate rooms handed them the test. The first question was five points about oxygen. “Cool,” they thought, this will be a slam dunk. Then on the second page, ninety-five points. What tire was it? Moral of the story: with a boss that nice, don’t risk 95 points.

Whatever your career, or career aspirations, believe in yourself – even when nobody else does. Surround yourself with top-quality people, and listen to their advice, and never stop asking questions.

If you’ve lost your job,  and need help to overcome adversity and get your foot in the door for another job, be one of the first 50 people to contact me for a free copy of this book so you can gain in entirety, the best of Harvey Mackay’s advice.