How many people do you know who are doing a job that they hate, but are scared stiff they're going to lose it? It sounds ridiculous doesn't it? But I estimate that an increasing amount of people are in this position right now.
The current economic recession in the United Kingdom and indeed worldwide has clearly contributed to placing many people in very difficult and stressful positions.
It doesn't matter what your occupation is.
Even the once good and secure positions such as Teachers and Nurses are no longer free from their posts being deleted or cut.
Indeed public (and I understand some private) sector jobs and services are experiencing unprecedented cuts.
The reality is that in 2011, there is no such thing as a job for life and I believe, that this situation is not going to improve in the foreseeable future, if at all.
Did you know that the average length of time people spend in their jobs is now just two years? There was a time when the common view about how to get a 'good' job was to do well educationally.
But nowadays even graduates are finding it tough to find secure employment.
So there are lots of people languishing in jobs that stress them out; bore the pants off them; negatively impact on their home life and make them physically ill.
Yet those same people, who really hate their jobs with a vengeance are running around like 'headless chickens' terrified of losing them.
It really is a deplorable position to be in and one that you face because you are dependent on that steady wage or pay cheque at the end of the week or month.
However your dependence on security, provides you with no guarantee that you will continue to receive it.
The plain truth of the matter is that you could lose your job at any time, no matter how hard you work, or how indispensable you think you are.
I'm going to let you into a secret that's very true, but that few people want to hear.
The truth is, as Earl Nightingale said many years ago, there's no such thing as security.
The only security or certainty that exists for those of us who are alive, is that we are going to die.
I know, it's difficult to hear.
But it's one of those harsh realities of life.
If you can face it and accept it.
It will set you free.
What is the point of desperately trying to cling onto something that doesn't exist? Once you truly realise the sagacity of this message, it begins to change your perspective.
It may well be that you have had ideas about what you want to do with your life or your career, that you never attempted or dared to really dream about, because of your dependence on security and anxiety about taking risks.
It may be of interest to you to know, that many of today's millionaires or wealthy people are people who once found themselves in positions similar to yours.
Facing the same sorts of decisions that you do.
Not being stretched or satisfied with their job and prospects, but at the same time being fearful of what the future might hold for them if they left what they felt sure, at the time, was a secure position, to follow their dreams of a better life.
Andrew Reynolds is one such self made millionaire who fortunately chose, after much internal debate to pursue his ideas; only to discover some short time later that had he remained in that post, that he would have lost his job.
His story is not by any means the exception; unfortunately history is sadly full of people who gave in to their fears, remained in their comfort zones and lived to regret it.
Yes we have all learnt somehow to fear change and risk taking.
But what and where is the real risk? If you accept that you can lose your job at any time and you have an idea or an opportunity to do what you want to do, surely the greater risk is to remain put.
Let's face it, if you're doing a job you don't like, the chances are it's already negatively impacting on your self esteem, mood, health and your relationships and the longer you stay there the worst it gets.
What you also have take into consideration is that employers are now in the position where they can pretty much do as they please because there are lots of people chasing fewer positions and because they are looking to save money by cutting your wage or salary.
The attitude of employers then, that is fostered under this economic climate, is one which suggests that you should be grateful for whatever you get.
Perhaps you need to ask yourself, irrespective of the economic climate, even if it was possible for you to keep your job for the rest of your life, whether you would indeed, be grateful? Only you can answer that question.
The truth is that risk is a part of life and he or she who never takes risks, never fully lives.
If we don't take risks we never learn.
If we never learn, we don't grow and develop to our potential.
Taking risks are essential to our development and improvement.
Watch a baby try to walk.
It's only by falling down, picking themselves up and trying again and again, that they eventually succeed.
Imagine where we would be if we never took the risk of the first step, or picked ourselves up and tried again, until we succeeded? It is exactly the same attitude we need to bring to business and life.
Nothing is gained without being prepared to take some risks.
Indeed as Anne Morrow Lindberg put it in 1906.
"Only in growth, reform and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found.
" Only by adopting an attitude of being prepared to take risks; to learn and grow from them, will you provide yourself with the best security you could hope for in life.