What Business Professionals and Coal Miners Have in Common

Do you feel like you are stuck? Do you feel like you are in the same spot as you were years ago and there is nothing you can do about it? Do you feel as though you are stuck in the same spot and it will be that way no matter what you do? If so, the insight I recently came across regarding West Virginia coal miners might help.

In a show about the coal miners, they were talking about the way of life in West Virginia. The area is quite big where coal is mined. This is the main job of individuals who live in the state. There is not much in the state except coal. Of course, there are doctors and nurses, or McDonald’s. There is not a lot of job opportunity in that region.

All of the coal miners were saying ‘that’s just how it’s going to be’. Basically, everyone would be a coal miner or work for McDonald’s. �The coal miners would be willing to risk their lives every day, on the job, because they do not have anything else available to them in the area where they live.

I realize that their situation is different from my own and probably yours as well. There are several factors to consider, such as upbringing, experience and education level. However, what I am about to share with you, should universally apply to anyone in some form or fashion.

Inhaling the coal dust is what causes black lung. Common sense dictates that if you wear a mask, you are protecting yourself. The miner describes how he doesn’t wear a mask and accepted that there is nothing he can do and that he will be getting black lung regardless.

A really good quote I read one time talked about how there is going to be a decision that you make in life that will see you either make the decision or life will decide for you. Too many people let others make their decisions, especially involving their career, essentially giving up. They do not take control of their life.

Like the coal miners, they are letting the black lung come because they expect it, so they don’t’ wear a mask.

Personally, I have experienced this path myself. In the past I was working as an IT pro, hopping from job to job to be able to earn more money. I thought I could earn more by moving from job to job. I would stay on a job for about a year or two and…

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