Comments on: What Is Your Current Work Zone?

By: Bill Winterberg

Bill Winterberg — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:40:52 +0000

This illustrates a difference between salaried employees and independent contractors. Employees are far more likely to establish “red zone” positions once mastering the roles and responsibilities of their main job.

But for independent contractors, each new contract presents the “green zone” environment, where the needs and requirements of the contract vary from company to company. The core work might be similar, but the variety in contract work is likely to keep the individual challenged for a much longer period of time.

Lastly, I discovered and followed you last week and enjoy your tweets and posts.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:38:06 +0000

This holds true for the low-end manufacturing jobs as well as the “professional” jobs. I was at a company for five years (as a temporary worker) and was stagnant in my job. It was bad enough that when I was released (terminated), I was actually happy.

Now, I’m in a harder job but it’s good because I’m back in the green zone. So it’s not just professionals but everyone. If you’re in a position where you’re in charge of the blue-collar workers, you may want to consider encouraging them to get back into their green zones.

I wanted to add that this post also helped me to reevaluate my feelings towards my new job. I’m still learning how to do it, so it’s ok to have failures once in a while.

Have a great day:)
Patrick.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:35:38 +0000

@Khürt – Good point. Now may not be the best time to jump jobs if you don’t have a bit of a cushion built up. However as a lot of places cut back, there are often ways you can up your responsibility at your current employer to get some new experiences while making yourself more valuable.

By: Khürt Williams

Khürt Williams — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:59:21 +0000

I am currently in the Yellow/Red Zone and at the top of the pay scale. However, with the current economy and layoffs finding challenging new roles without risking financial ruin (single income family) or losing medical coverage ( supplies for Type 1 diabetes are expensive and I need them to stay alive) is something I am not ready for.

By: Personal Development Interview: Continual Improvement : Productivity501

Personal Development Interview: Continual Improvement : Productivity501 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:40:48 +0000

[...] think everyone should take a few minutes at least once a year and decide what the current work zone is. It is easy to get use to not learning anything and settle in for many years without realizing [...]

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:42:55 +0000

@Derek – If you are at a small company you may be able to suggest projects that will help the business while challenging you. If you can find ways to make what you currently do more efficient it will likely turn into a learning experience and give you more time for other projects in the future.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:38:20 +0000

I am somewhere in the yellow zone. Being the only IT person in my company, sometimes the fires introduce a challenge, but there are not too many of them anymore either.

I am not sure what avenue I would like to go down… I like the company I work for, but am not sure that I can grow much more in this role… even though there is not much out there (likely because I am not sure what I want to do).

I wonder if spending some time learning something new on my own would help…?

By: John Richardson

John Richardson — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:21:11 +0000

Mark,

This is a great visualization of a problem many of us face. Unfortunately, one of the big issues with changing jobs is the benefit package. I often find myself in the red zone but the uncertainty of health insurance always tends to be a deterrent to change.

John

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:16:36 +0000

@Jay – I’m glad you found it useful. I know it was a break through for me when I finally sat down and charted out where I was in my current job. (I quit and started a business on my own.)

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:54:46 +0000

While I realize that this is far from a new post, *I* just found it today (and just found the site yesterday). This is probably the single best expression of this concept I’ve seen or heard. I’ll definitely be passing it along.

I’ve been looking for a way to explain just what it is about my cushy job that just barely manages to keep me awake, let alone excited. I’m an unhappy resident in the Red Zone and now realize that some moving and shaking IS just what the doctor ordered.

By: Advice for a New Professional at Productivity501

Advice for a New Professional at Productivity501 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:28:44 +0000

[...] wouldn’t be possible at a large company–even if the pay is lower. Pay attention to your Work Zone so you know when it is time to start looking for a different [...]

By: Brad Grier

Brad Grier — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:20:41 +0000

Wow, this is an excellent way of presenting this concept. I’ve been thinking about challenge and stagnation recently…I find myself in the red more and more these days..and I know it’s time for a change.

Thanks for sharing this.

By: Basu

Basu — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:07:00 +0000

Going into the high yellow or the red once in a while might not be an entirely bad idea as you could use the low activity to carefully chalk out the next stage of your life. The trick would be not too get too settled into the easy going way of life and get de-energized as a result.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:06:02 +0000

@Jennifer – Good luck with your new job! I’m glad you liked the chart.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:40:14 +0000

I’ve been dangerously far into the red zone at my current job. Fortunately, I got a new one and will be starting soon. Can’t wait for the green zone again.

Great metaphor!