Be Fearless: Ten Easy Tips on Staying Up in a Down Economy.
“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.” ~ Dale Carnegie
Chinese Proverb and Symbol of Courage
As companies struggle to maintain some of their profit structure in our shifting global economy, many have had to find ways to increase productivity levels at less cost; the solution has been to cut costs by laying-off people. The impact of this inevitable decision is that more and more people have lost or continue to lose jobs, and most of us know several people in job transition.
The recent statistics from the US Bureau of Labor show that in the month of August, the unemployment rate rose to 9.7% and the number of unemployed in the USA increased by 466,000 to 14.9 million.
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
Embrace your Positive Power: A Powerful Sun Flare ... via NASA
This is not a time to be fearful about asking for help or shy about pursuing options that make good financial sense. The downturn has exacted a tremendous toll on millions of households and many people are depending on savings, goodwill and out-of-the-box solutions to keep head above water.
“You are only as strong as your purpose, therefore let us choose reasons to act that are big, bold, righteous and eternal.” ~ Barry Munro
Nature Shot # 22 By V. Pinke ... Follow the Road less Traveled.
For those who are still in a position to share generously of their good fortune, this is the time to stay attentive to the needs of close friends/family and neighbors and offer help without obvious prompting. This is not the time to let a false sense of civility prevent you from helping others.
For those who are in the throes of adjusting to the loss of income, this can be an incredibly overwhelming phase for you and your loved ones. Take a deep breath and cast aside the temptation to assign blame to former co-workers or dump your anger and frustrations on others; this is a critical time to reassess what truly matters to you and your family and find quick and easy ways to meet those needs.
“You can measure a man by the opposition it takes to discourage him.” ~ Robert C. Savage
Another Symbol for Courage: Stay Positive as this too Shall Pass...
You will need to develop a plan of action to keep your household afloat. As you begin to reorganize your financial life, create a plan with a holistic approach to managing your household; as searching for your next job will not be enough. The following 10 easy tips will help you stay positive and keep body, mind and spirit in sync. See below…
“You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims.” ~ Harriet Woods
Even in Times of Chaos... Pause and Wash away Your Fears
Cut the Excess: The first step is to trim the areas where extravagance has ruled the roost in your household. If you are a mall rat and enjoy frequent shopping trips, this is the time to put the credit cards away and set limits on what you buy and when. Even food shopping, take-outs and restaurant visits will need to be re-evaluated. For those with discount, warehouse/club memberships, don’t get tempted to buy more and stockpile items, trim the fat and stick to a list that leaves you with more cash flow for emergencies and essentials. When necessary, use the many coupons that fill your mailbox as they are an excellent way to cut costs.
Strengthen Family/Friends Connections: This is an important time to reach out to extended family and close friends to inform them of your predicament, and ask for referrals and tips on available job opportunities. It is also a good time to let them know that you are no longer able to do certain things; especially social events or outings that require large financial outlays. It is important to solicit the support of friends and family as they can become the Achilles heel that prevents you from maintaining financial commonsense.
“You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.” ~ Unknown Author
Build Community wherever You are: Jehad Nga Iraq from the NYT
Build Your Community: If you are involved in your community via a place of worship, online social network sites, local participation in events and such, it will be wise to let those you respect in your community know of your plight; the goal is also to get the word out that you are looking for new employment. In this economic downturn, the competition for jobs is fierce; ignoring to reach out to as many contacts as possible can only diminish your opportunity for employment. Use your community as an additional resource for recommendations and job tips.
Organize Your Daily Job Search: After the initial shock wears off, take a moment to create a schedule to help you develop a daily routine. If you have not written a resume in many years, seek the assistance of a qualified center or resume writer and create several to fit a number of job areas. Keep in mind that even though some people think it’s a numbers game and mail hundreds of resumes, this is not wise. Apply only to jobs that you are well qualified for. You want to showcase your strengths therefore, being overqualified or under-qualified for a position will not get you an interview.
“You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” ~ Ken Kesey
The Power of a Positive Idea... Affirm
Get Educated: Do your research to find information on funding and other help that might be available to you through the federal stimulus bill. Look into financial instruments that might help you gain some breathing room for your home. Consider applying for either a Workforce 1 skill enhancement voucher or if you were laid off by one of 31 financial institutions after June 30, 2008 you might be eligible for a re-training National Emergency Grant (NEG). Take advantage of re-training opportunities as a way to shore up existing skills.
Keep Up Your Exercise Routine: Maintain an exercise routine and commit to get out and exercise regularly. This is an important way to keep your endorphins stimulated and your mind clear. Do Exercise; walks in the park, running outside, yoga classes or even a swim at your local Y are all excellent ways to stay in top form as you prepare yourself for your next job.
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Even the Dark Storms Shall Pass... By Chaiten Spd
Learn More and Read more: Spend quality time in your local library and use the quiet time to catch up on your reading. If you have a hobby that was pushed to the wayside while you pursued a demanding career, this is the time to dust off the covers and re-kindle your love for the hobby; ideally this should be an inexpensive hobby. Spending time reading and reconnecting with the world of books will broaden your perspective, and give you material to refer to in interviews and social situations where the focus should not be on your job loss.
Visit Museums and other Places of Interest: For stimulating entertainment, try your local museums; most have a suggested fee scale and you may give only what you can afford. They are also great places to connect with like minded souls and will provide an excellent way to have a family outing. Visiting outdoor sites of interests or hiking around your area is another way to have family time that won’t be exorbitant.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” ~ James Allen
As Above, so Below: Find Your Center ... WR Star via NASA
Carpool with Friends and Family: When necessary, carpool with friends and family for outings or short trips. Given the price of gas, it makes financial sense to not have all your vehicles on the road burning up gas. Looking for easy ways to share rides and save on gas will be a wise option. This is particularly imperative if you like to take road trips, socialize a lot via trips to/with friends, and also if you have teens who attend the same school and/or like to go out with friends regularly.
Potluck Meals and Meetings: Having potluck meals/meetings are an excellent way to get people to gather and enjoy quality time together. You can also organize potluck job review dinners and use them as a way to share tips and information with others who are going through the same predicament. Given the current growth of displaced workers in our communities, it will be wise to manage our funds carefully, find sensible ways to support each others efforts to regroup, and seek new employment with a healthy, positive attitude.
Trust that your efforts will pay off and they will. Now go do it. What are your thoughts? What are you doing differently?
Photo Credits:
Chinese Symbols ~ Google Images
Nature Shot #22 ~ by Veronika Pinke
Sun Flare and Dark Center of a WR Star ~ via NASA
Idea Bulb ~ Google Images
Dark Storms ~ by Chaiten spd
Times of Chaos ~ Nigeria via Google Images
Jehad Nga Iraq ~ via NYTimes
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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still an important post …
TY! It is quite long. 😉
These are important reminders…for these are challenging times for many @ the world. Thanks for your visit and “like” to my post…
Thank you for reading this post. I wrote it a couple of year ago and got no comments. I’m grateful that WordPress has brought it to the attention of others… TY!
Hi Eliz! You’ve done a terrific job with this blog. May it encourage and help a lot of people. I love all the quotes you put in. Thank you for sharing all of this.
TY for reading it too! I was surprised to drop in and find all these wonderful comments on the post… Touching. 🙂
I just noticed this blog was posted more than two years ago. As Frizztext says it is still an important post.
Yes! I wrote it a couple of years ago and it is quite relevant today. I even told a friend that I should take my own advice…. I am grateful for the comments. TY! 🙂
I stumbled upon your blog and find it perfect for me, I too share in facing life in a positive manner and thank you for the words of strength and encouragement. I am printing this out.
TY Katie,
I appreciate your feedback. It is amazing and a good thing that WordPress is sharing our old and new post so others can see what we’ve done in the past too. TY!
I am weeping….I woke up at 3 am to find out that my husband’s unemployment is under review…I am a stay at home home schooling mom and have two adult children…My husband’s former job from which he was fired provided a vehicle, and now we are left with one vehicle for my children to go to college and work. To make matters worse, we live about 30 minutes away from these responsibilities as well as from out church family. My husband is so ashamed that he only told me this when pressed, in the middle of the night. I happened to look at my phone where I noticed that someone, overnight had read and “liked” a ton of my posts. That someone was you…and this is the post that WordPress suggested.
God is so good and kind! Thank you. For visiting. You are an amazing writer and I am humbled to have had you read so many of my posts.
God bless you.
Kim @ Journey To Epiphany
OH Goodness Kd!!!! I am so sorry that I just found this comment from you here. Yes, yes, I love your blog and I am glad we connected too. I wrote this piece 2+ years ago, at the early start of the recession and, since then, it has also affected my life and my friends too. These are tough times but God is always good to those who trust and call on his mercy. I am keeping you and your family in prayer that the miracles that have sustained our family will sustain yours… I hear you loud and clear and, believe me, I can relate. TY for your heartfelt message and my apologies that I just came across it… Stay blessed.
I love this entire post!
When times get tough, people make it tougher on themselves if they have a negative world view. I hope those who need it most, see these 10 tips and pick one a day to work on.
great, great advice, elizabeth
TY dear Karen! I am glad that others are reading it again… Times are hard and we need all the encouragement and support we can muster… I remain prayerful that God’s grace will sustain us all.
What beautiful pictures and sentiments. I love it.
TY Jacqui, I have to say that this new approach WordPress is using is terrific. I love how they suggest old and new posts when we like a blog post… Awesome. TY for your feedback! 🙂
Having been hit pretty hard by the recession myself, I find this article very encouraging. You have listed some very valid points. I love the little captions of wisdom you’ve included between the photos and paragraphs. I’ve lost a lot of what I once had (materially), but now that the emotions have past affiliated with ‘stuff’, and the dust has settled, I realize that I’m in places I might not have been if the housing market had not crashed. I used to draw house plans, now I’m attempting to write children’s books, which I’d not have had the time to do before. If this pans out, I’ll probably never draw another house plan again. I’m sure you are familiar with the saying when one door closes, another opens. Well here is to new doors opening for us all. The big thing is to never lose faith in yourself. Faith gives us hope, and hope can make dreams come true.
TY for your thoughtful comment… We’ve been hit hard too and it does give one a healthier perspective on what truly matters. Wishing you all the best on your journey. 🙂
Wonderful post (started with a most appropriate proverb!) A nice, hearty read, thank you!
anne
TY for reading it… I wrote that when I started blogging and the message remains true. Sadly, the economy hasn’t improved much either. 🙂
very useful tips and post overall. it’s not overly long, boring or stressing. you have a great way of putting out things so it’s clear and simple
Its 2020 and we are still trying to stay up in a down economy.
Really interesting read – great tips you’ve put together here!
I love it that you used Dale Carnegie quote at the beginning. His books have helped me out of bad places for decades. I read and re read them. I love this timely and useful post as some of these are relevant now for all of us. I find that asking for help, straight out is something that is hardest to do in individualistic cultures, but so important. Most people are more than willing to help. Spread the word. It is mostly just our ego holding us back. Wonderful and thought through advices in this post. I am going to share on my blog’s page.
Thank you stela, I feel the same way you do about this subject.
Thank you for sharing this post. At this tough times, we all need this kind of encouragement. This will be another long ride for all of us.
Our life’s quality mostly depends on you and how you see yourself. More importantly, how you live with the cards you are dealt with, so to speak, can and is one of the secrets, to living your best life, despite the pandemic.
Hi Renel,
It’s always a joy to reconnect… Have a great day and thanks for the link back.
E