Be Prepared with The Action Item List

personal development
Written By Dave Giustozzi

Be prepared. Because, you know, just in case.

An off schedule post

This is an off-schedule post. That means something different or interesting is going on that warrants paying attention to. So, my friends, read on to find out more!

Preamble

Many of you know that I volunteer with an organization called Overcoming Job Transition (ojttulsa.org). This organization is a faith-based ministry where seasoned executives volunteer their time and talents to help those who find themselves out of work and who want to get back to work. There are parallels to those who have careers, are working, and want to advance and secure their positions to those looking for work. It’s those similarities I want to explore today

Introduction

I volunteer with OJT because, in this fall season of my life, I want to help others in areas I know a thing or two about. Like the world of work and business. I’ve interviewed and hired, and of course rejected, many applicants over the years. And even today, in the age of Artificial Intelligence and the belief that AI may make us all obsolete, we at OJT, and others who are in the business of assisting others to get a job, have found that, indeed, the tried-and-true methods are still valid. Oh, yes, there are newer techniques and tips needed because things have changed, but at the end of the day, we are all still people dealing with people. There may be a computer between us, but it’s a person that will be hiring and people are people just like they always have been.

Today I want to share with you some tips and techniques I have found that work when getting a job that, ironically or maybe not ironically, are some of the same tips and techniques that will help you get ahead in your own career. That will help you advance. Or maybe simply ensure you keep your job. So you can, what? Yes! Achieve your dreams and live your best life!

Be prepared

The title of this post includes the words “be prepared,” and being prepared is important in any and all aspects of your life. Some pretty famous and successful people have made some pretty profound statements on this topic:

  • “Be prepared.” The motto of the Boy Scouts, coined in 1908 by founder Robert Baden-Powell, was intended to help Scouts be ready for any situation that might arise.

  • Benjamin Franklin: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

  • George Washington stated that “preparation for war preserves peace.”

  • Miguel de Cervantes (Spanish writer who wrote Don Quixote): “Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.”

  • Les Brown (Motivational speaker and politician): “It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”

  • And my personal favorite from Winston Churchill: "To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing... What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour".

While you may or may not have heard these sayings and quotes, I’m guessing you already realize the need to be prepared. Because, you know, just in case:

  • You have flashlights, candles, and cash on hand in case of a power outage

  • Why you have emergency food supplies stored in your pantry

  • You take your coat, hat, gloves, and a blanket in your car on a cold winter day, even though you have a heater

  • You developed an emergency evacuation plan with your family

  • You have life, home, automobile, disability, and other insurance

  • You have an emergency supply of cash, or what’s sometimes known as a rainy day fund

  • You maintain your car, home, and other mechanical devices, so you don’t suffer a breakdown

  • You are always aware when severe weather may happen.

  • Should you lose your job tomorrow, you could survive for a while and quickly get another comparable job. You look forward to or are prepared for the day your boss comes to you and says either “I’m sorry to have to do this to you” or “I have an opportunity for you.”

Oh, wait. Yeah, well, ah-hum…that last one may be a problem. It is for many people. You see, when your boss comes to you, is it something you look forward to, as in an opportunity you have been preparing for, or are you afraid of being laid off or fired? Just like changing the hoses on your washing machine (a previous blog post topic), servicing your air conditioner, or remembering special days with your spouse, it always pays to be prepared. Just in case.

The Action Item List

Because I was a military and business leader for many years, not only did I interview and hire many people, but I also had to let some go. Then, several years ago, I started volunteering with OJT, and I noticed something common not only among the people I was trying to help, but also among many of those I had to let go, and many of those I often read about in my daily reading who find themselves suddenly unemployed.

They were not prepared.

Because, you know, that won’t happen to me! The company is making money. I get good performance reviews; my boss likes me; and besides, that’s what happens to other people. I need a job, so they have to keep me.

Here are the facts: In December 2025, 1.76 million people lost their jobs. From 2001 to 2019, over 20 million people lost their jobs (Note 1). It gets worse. 3 in 5 people leave the workforce earlier than they want. 40% were forced into retirement (Note 2).

Yikes! As bad as all of that is, from what I’ve observed over the years, most people are not prepared either for the opportunity that suddenly presents itself or for the loss of a long-tenured job.

At OJT, our goal is to help people get back to work as quickly as possible. And no surprise here, there is a formula and process that we, collectively, the group of volunteers, have found that works. Those who get back to work quickly do the work and follow the processes. The same processes that have always worked but tweaked to work in today’s environment.

Make sure you caught the two key points of the last paragraph: Do the work and follow proven processes.

Because I lead one of the weekly sessions, I want to provide not only those who attend my session but also any OJT attendee with a list of things they can do to quickly get a job. For this reason, I developed The Action Item List. And because I was in the business world a long time, volunteering at OJT, substitute teaching at Tulsa Technology Center, where I work with adult students desiring to improve themselves, writing books and blogs on this same subject, I’ve concluded that there is a proven process that works if followed. The Action Item List is an excellent resource that can help unemployed people get back to work but is also a pretty good list of things we all should be doing throughout our careers to ensure that when our boss comes to us, we are prepared for when he or she says, “I have an opportunity that I think you will be perfect for,” rather than, “I’m sorry to have to do this to you.”

So here is The Action Item List. I’ve modified it from one targeted to job seekers to those who want to not only survive in their careers, but thrive:

  1. Make sure you can answer this question: “What do I want to do?” Another good question to ask yourself is “Who am I?” Honest answers to these questions ensure you are properly prepared for the future.

  2. Be prepared with your 2-minute drill (sometimes called an elevator speech) to succinctly describe to anyone you meet exactly what you want to do and what you have to offer. This is very important.

  3. A full-time job is a full-time job, and that likely means more than 40 hours a week of giving your best. Give more than is expected. Delight your boss and your customers. Go above and beyond, and there will always be a place for you. (Note: What follows is what I say about being out of work and looking for a job; see if you see the correlation) Getting a full-time job is a full-time job. Be sure to define your workweek with intentional steps each day. That may be networking, applying for jobs, etc. We will ask about this at the Monday morning meeting. When I was in transition (transition means out of a full-time job and between jobs- yes, four times during my career), I got "dressed for work" and “started work” at 8:00. Lunch was from 12:00 to 12:30, and I finished work at 4:30. Exercise, dinner, and family rounded out the day. Don’t sit at the kitchen table applying to online job posts all day. This is generally not a good strategy, with a low yield-to-effort ratio (I hope you get the point about a daily routine: whether working or looking for work is a good thing).

  4. Ensure your resume is current and in a format that will get past computer screening software. Learn current styles. Use keywords but don’t overdo it. Also, ensure the most important information appears in the top half of the page, including what you want to do, your tangible accomplishments, and your skills. Note that hiring managers will spend about 8 seconds on your resume before moving on. Did you hear me? You have about 8 seconds to be either considered for the position or rejected. Your resume is your calling card for the in-person interview. Be sure it’s a good one.

  5. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and follows the recommended guidelines. There is a lot of information out there to help you, so use it. LinkedIn is used extensively by recruiters, and you want to be found by them. It’s also used by business professionals you want to network with.

  6. During your career, every day is an interview. People are making judgments about you. Always be prepared, on a moment's notice, to meet your future employer, whether this is internal to your current company or a potential outside opportunity. Dress for success, nail your elevator speech, and always have paper and something to write with. Your phone notes page will work if that’s what you prefer. Because tomorrow, an opportunity may arise, and you want to be someone others think of.

  7. Once you have completed the first six items, you are prepared to network. Networking is the best use of your time and will provide you with the highest likelihood of success. Networking is a lifetime process, and if you have not networked, now is the time to start. Networking is a two-way street such that both parties benefit from the relationship. It is not a one-and-done, nor is it one-way. Start with your LinkedIn profile and go from there.

  8. Define what you plan to do this week on paper or electronically (such as in your Outlook calendar). Be planning and looking ahead to next week, the next month, and next year. Plan at least 5 years out for what you want to do and how you will get there. Write your actions down in a notebook or on a calendar. Record ALL your activities, phone numbers, email, and other contact information. Date and save this notebook, as you may find you need this information down the road.

  9. Where do you need any assistance? Reach out and ask! Most people are not only willing to help if you just ask, but also feel honored that you asked. The willingness to ask, to step outside our comfort zone, is a significant step in the process and ultimately in our success. Your mentor is a good start.

  10. In your current position with your current company, what are the future positions you desire? What is the ultimate position that you want your last job to be before you retire? If you are looking outside, what are the target companies you would like to work for? This is important to ensure that your efforts are directed toward these goals in the best manner. Note: When I was interviewing and hiring, I always asked what an applicant’s career path was and how this position fit into that. I only wanted to hire those who had planned their careers and wanted to work for my organization and me. This ensured I hired only highly motivated, high-performing people.

  11. Nurture your network. Where I live, Tulsa, is a small town (figuratively speaking). There are over 1 million people in the metro Tulsa area, and many people know many people. Who know people. Who know other people. Who can help you. Who want to help you. Because most people are kind and want to help someone who needs it. You probably work in a “small town” too. Where people know people. Who can help you. Who want to help you. Did I make myself clear on this point?

  12. Remember the importance of your quiet time. Time to be thankful for all we have rather than for what we don’t have. Time to pray. To have faith. Time to trust. Time to ponder all the things going on in your life. Time to allow God to act in your life, at the time and method of His choosing. Which may not reflect our timing and choices. Remember that He wants what’s best for us if we will just listen to Him.

  13. I suggest always having a business card and paper copies of your current and up-to-date resume. Remember that you want to stand out and be remembered. There’s nothing like a business card or piece of paper sitting on a hiring manager’s desk to help you be remembered. You absolutely must find a way to stand apart from the crowd and be remembered.

  14. Think about the time when you will have an interview. Do your research on the company (or department or organization). Remember that the hiring manager wants to know what you can do for them. At this point, it’s not about you. Your problems and needs are not only NOT the hiring manager’s concerns, but voicing these issues can absolutely harm you. Ultimately, the relationship between employer and employee must be win-win. Be able to answer the question “What did you do to prepare for this interview?” with a strong answer. This is why we suggest targeting companies or organizations you want to work for. Your network can help, and so can LinkedIn, by connecting you to people who work where you want to

  15. If you are not successful getting the position you want, It’s OK. What did you learn? What do you need to do? Will you be remembered tomorrow? You WILL get a job, so don’t give up. Stay the course and follow the process, and you will be successful. Never give up! The most successful individuals we've seen are those who follow this guidance and the other steps.

If you get the idea that I’m saying you can’t be complacent in your career, that’s exactly right. Not only can you NOT be complacent to prevent getting let go, but you also need to be proactive so you can be all you want to be and achieve all you want to achieve.

Summary

Thinking ahead, planning, and ensuring we are prepared for when things go bad are core principles at Afterburner Success Partners. Indeed, except for my cookbook and food posts, these topics are almost exclusively what I write about. Living our best lives is too important not to be prepared and act with intention when things are calm. Otherwise, we will have to act in a crisis when it’s too late, and our choices are less than optimal.

Interestingly, while this post is being published in July, I am writing it on February 26, 2026. While I did not know it as I began this post, today, as if to reinforce the point I am making, Jack Dempsey, the cofounder of Twitter (now X) and Block (which consists of Square and Cash App), announced a mass layoff of roughly 40% of the company-4000 of 10,000 employees. If you thought that Block was in trouble, in his letter to employees announcing the layoffs, Mr. Dorsey explained that not only are they not in financial trouble, but the business is also strong, gross profit is growing, and they are serving more customers. He goes on to describe how “intelligence tools” (a codeword for AI and other technology improvements, I would guess) are creating fundamental changes in how they operate the business.

If a company that is profitable, strong and growing can lay off 40% of its employees, perhaps it’s a signal that anyone working today should ensure they have a plan. We should all be prepared. Because, you know, just in case.

If you would like to get the original copy of The Action Item List as written for those in job transition, simply email me and I’ll send you a copy, pronto.

Appendix

Even though I write many of my posts in advance, I typically review them before publishing. To that end, while I quoted a rather large number of layoffs for 2025, there seems to be no letting up in 2026. It would seem logical then that the information I provided you in this post is, perhaps, even more relevant for 2026 than the statistics quoted for 2025. Let’s look at some other notable layoff numbers announced since January 2026: 

Sorted by company, total number, date announced (Year 2026), and link to source

If you click on the previously mentioned link in Note 1, you will see that projected 2026 layoffs are just about on track to be the same as 2025. Now, that said, many of these people will get new jobs. Unfortunately, that will result in significant life disruption and financial hardship, the least of which is that many of these folks may not get jobs that pay as well as they did at their old companies.

Be prepared. Indeed.

That’s all for today!

Let’s help our friends and loved ones, shall we?

If you find the information in this post useful or enjoyable, please forward it to those you care about.

Then, simply say, “Search the internet for Afterburner Success Partners

 to learn how to achieve your dreams and live your best life!”  

Be Prepared

Afterburner Success Partners

http://absuccesspartners.com/

What’s in it for Me

Protecting yourself for when bad things happen will help you survive and maybe even thrive when the bad times come. And they will come. You can count on it.

Call to Action

If you do not have a plan, develop one now. If you do, perhaps it’s a good time to review it. Purchase the book by clicking on the link in Note 3. Take the Afterburner Success Partners Course.

Recommended Resources

Buy and read Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi (Note 3). Take the course, it’s a very inexpensive investment in yourself.

Up Next

Back to regular posting schedule.

 Notes

Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.

  1. How many people are laid off in the United States each month?, USAfacts: https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-are-laid-off-each-month/country/united-states/

  2. What to do if you are forced into early retirement, AARP: https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/forced-into-early-retirement/#:~:text=3,were%20“forced%20into”%20retirement.

  3. Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy

  4. Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ

 
Dave Giustozzi https://absuccesspartners.com
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