Underemployment is running rampant in America right now given the uncertain economic conditions and recent layoffs. Underemployment is when you have a job but the job can barely support your cost of living. So, in turn, you have to have a side job to make up for what your main income is lacking. Most of the time, people pick up odd jobs like ridesharing or food delivery to make up for the income they need. It can be a miserable existence to have a job that is not helping to make ends meet and having to supplement your income taking on another job, leaving little time for yourself or your family. 
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Unemployment is also a common theme in many households all over this country. People are getting laid off at unprecedented rates without the emergency savings in place to compensate for the job loss. This is sending people in a panic where they are turning to public assistance for help or they are taking any job they can get their hands on, often leading to them accepting jobs that they are overqualified for. In turn, they are underemployed, making much less money than they did previously for a job they know they will hate. Desperation can lead to some unfavorable consequences on an emotional and mental health level.

Although this may be an unpopular opinion, it is worse to be underemployed than unemployed. Here is why; underemployment can be miserable when you are doing something you are not passionate about and getting paid less. At least when you don’t have a job, you can fantasize about the options or opportunities out there for you that you might love. However, when you commit to a position that you know is not a good fit for you, it can be hard to get out of it. This is because you have already committed your time and energy and you may not want to risk not getting another job in its place.

Now, I’m not saying don’t take a job if you are in dire financial need. However, if you do have emergency savings, you may want to consider how you can capitalize on the time you have to spend on something you are passionate about. Maybe there is a new skill you want to learn or a business you want to get started. There is nothing wrong with considering the possibility of pursuing your dreams because you may not get another opportunity. Your job loss may be exactly what you needed to feel confident enough to move forward with what you have always wanted to do. Therefore, don’t count yourself out by just taking a job because that is the safe option. I know more miserable people in jobs than I know out of work. Seize the moment and use your time wisely.
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Even if you do have stable employment, never depend on a job to fulfill you or connect you to your purpose in life. Make room for your interests and pursue your passions after work or on the weekends. This will help reenergize you if your job is draining. It also assists you with feeling empowered and in control. We all need to feel this way given so much uncertainty going on in this world. The only thing we can control is the talents that we have that make us happy.
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If you need assistance identifying your gifts/talents or learning how you can monetize them, download our app to plug into our Mentor marketplace. Our Mentor marketplace makes it faster for you to connect to the right people for your business or career offering you a more straightforward path to business or career success. It puts you in the driver’s seat rather than you being an innocent bystander. Sometimes, it is not about the money you can make with your passion but helping you identify what your passion is. This is where true happiness resides but it is up to you to find it!

Have you ever been to a networking event and the host asks you to introduce yourself or business and you blank out about what to say? If the answer is yes, then that’s probably because you haven’t created your elevator pitch.

What is an elevator pitch? It is a way to introduce yourself or your business to others that piques their interest and leaves them wanting to learn more. It’s sort of like your sales pitch. It really should be no more than one or two lines because you have to remember the pitch to ensure a smooth delivery. The last thing you want to do is to stumble over your words while delivering an elevator pitch in a room full of strangers. You want to appear confident and self-assured.

A good business pitch or one-liner should consist of three elements: 1. The problem you solve, 2. How you or your business is the solution to that problem, 3. What success looks like for your clients if they do business with you. Your business pitch should be clear and concise. It does not need to include minor details of all your business has to offer. It just needs to provide a high level overview of your business with the most impressive highlights.
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If you are having a hard time coming up with your elevator pitch, consider working on it by writing it down. It may take multiple iterations of your pitch before you develop the one that works for you. Also, be sure to practice your pitch with family or friends that don’t know what you do. Ask them for feedback by requesting that they tell you what they heard you say and if they understand your business. If they can’t tell you about your business in their own words, then your elevator pitch needs to be refined. Rule of thumb is if an 8 year old can’t understand your business pitch, then it is likely that it will go over most people’s heads. Oftentimes, we assume that most people understand what we do until we actually ask them and realize that they really don’t, which is a problem.

Another reason why it is good to develop our elevator pitch is because you can use your pitch everywhere you showcase your business. It can go on business cards, social media account bios, pitch contests, grant applications, etc.. Your business pitch can be repurposed in multiple scenarios. It can give others a clear idea of what they are getting when they do business with you by setting the right expectations. It can also act a lead magnet for future business prospects and create a call to action.
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Don’t underestimate the value of a one-liner in helping you grow your business and gain more visibility. A good elevator pitch will set you and your business apart from the rest in your industry. Be sure to make developing your elevator pitch a priority!