Too Fat to Get a Job

Apr 20

Photo by Felix

I was waiting at the bar before a networking event, a man and a woman walked in.  They were talking about his job search, loudly enough for me to stop reading my Kindle and look up. (This sounds like a bad joke.  WIsh it was.)

The man was relating a story about an interview he had earlier in the day.  It apparently hadn’t gone well nor had it lasted long.  The part that made me snap my head up was when he said, “They just don’t like me because I’m fat.  No one even gives me a chance…”

You know, that’s a tough one.  Being overweight is a prejudice that’s still socially acceptable, and as one who struggles with weight, it hurts.

Bigger picture, though, everyone doesn’t hate fat people.  “They don’t like me because I’m fat” is an excuse and a victim story.

Victim stories aren’t attractive, make us feel powerless and rob us of our confidence.  This is just one of the topics we’re going to cover in my free teleseminar and more in depth in my “Replacement For Outplacement Bootcamp.”

Folks, none of us can afford to buy into that victim story, whatever it might be.  There is not a one of us who is too fat, too old, too ugly, too anything not to have what we want out of our lives and businesses.  We all have what it takes to be successful.  Some of us have to dig deeper than others, it’s true.  We all have strengths.  We all have challenges.  We all have that nasty little voice that tells us we can’t.

Tell it to shut up.

There’s also the epilogue of the victim story: “I’d be successful to if I had all the things that {fill in the blank} has.”

My brilliant colleague, Coach Pam Thomas, reminded me of this fundamental truth:  Comparing yourself to others is unfair to you.  When we engage in this, we are looking at our insides – how we feel about ourselves and how we perceive ourselves – against our perception of someone else.

Looks can be deceiving.  It’s just not a worthwhile endeavor, and it’s another way we can sabotage our confidence.  Why bother?

Victim stories are a waste of time and a LIE.  What’s ironic is that when other people hear us tell our story of gloom, doom and woe, they don’t want to help us…. THEY CAN’T GET AWAY FAST ENOUGH!

My message to you today, especially those of you who are in-transition and may be feeling a little battered in the confidence department, let those victim stories go.  You are a powerful person.  You can achieve what you believe.

Virtual Hugs… and Be Your Best You Today,

Carolann

p.s. – The preview call for “Replacement For Outplacement Bootcamp” is this week.  It will be one of the best hours you spend.  Register today.

p.p.s. – Space is limited for the next “Replacement For Outplacement Bootcamp,” and I expect it to fill before the second preview call.

Tags: Action Coach, business coach, Career Coach, Career Management, Carolann Jacobs, coach, Executive Coaching, Inimitable Leadership, job search, Leadership, Leadership Coach, Legacy Leadership, Life Coach, Life Coaching, Neuroleadership, Replacement For Outplacement, vivid epiphany