| Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or you | | | | 2. Take action today! Do something - even one thing |
| think you can't, you're absolutely right." There are | | | | - to help your situation. Network! Attend Chamber or |
| many alarmists out there today, buried in a sea of | | | | association meetings. Check out job sites on the |
| negativity, and echoing every confirmation that we | | | | Internet daily. Ask a business contact to circulate |
| are in a depression with no escape. | | | | your resume to her contacts via e-mail. |
| How you will survive in these tough times, whether | | | | 3. Anticipate and handle obstacles. Intend that you |
| jobless or in a reduced earning capacity, is entirely up | | | | are going to manage this situation, that you will use |
| to you. The good news is you're not alone. I've been | | | | all your resources, including those you take for |
| there and so have you, so we know it's not the end | | | | granted: your talent and experience, your business |
| of the world. | | | | and personal contacts, your persistence, and your |
| Here are some immediate action steps that help you | | | | sense of humor. |
| survive and succeed no matter what your situation. | | | | 4. Give to others. There are many worse off than |
| 1. Face reality. Instead of worrying about what might | | | | you, surprise! And the best time to give is when you |
| happen (FEAR), ask yourself, What's the worst that | | | | don't think you can afford to. The Universe will take |
| can happen? Accept that as a possibility. Then ask | | | | care of you with multiple returns. Volunteer to help |
| yourself, How can I improve on the worst. So, for | | | | another with their resume, to serve the homeless, to |
| example, if you currently have a job but are worried | | | | tutor low literacy adults, to read for the blind. I'm |
| about not having one sometime soon, the answer to | | | | involved in a couple of those, one that started years |
| your first question is "I could lose my job." Accept | | | | ago when I first lost a job in a previous recession |
| that as a real possibility. Now, how can you improve | | | | and was out of work for five months. The most |
| on that situation? | | | | successful people I know are always giving - and |
| Consider these:a. Update your resume. List all your | | | | therefore they are always receiving. So start now, if |
| achievements.b. Let everyone in your contact base | | | | you're not already doing it. You'll have a great ROG |
| know that you may soon be available for hire. Ask | | | | (Return On Giving)! |
| for referrals, leads, etc.c. Most important! Do | | | | 5. Be grateful in advance for what you're going to |
| everything you can in your current job to improve | | | | achieve. This is a secret practice of many successful |
| conditions around you. Find ways to save the | | | | people I know. It triggers your actions in the right |
| company money or to bring in new or lost business. | | | | direction and helps you focus on what you have to |
| Offer to sit on task force committees that are | | | | do, and how you're going to do it. And you'll end up |
| seeking solutions to your company's problems. When | | | | with more things to be grateful for. It has worked |
| the crunch comes, they may want to keep you | | | | for me. And it will for you! |
| around as a loyal and productive team player! | | | | |