Hey, did you ever notice how when times are good, everyone seems happy and minds their own business? Then, as times get tough, two things can happen, at least the way I see it. People can band together and make good things happen. This is a good outcome, but there has to be a common goal.
The other thing that can happen is everyone looks out for themselves and will eventually throw others under the bus. This is what happens when companies downsize or big companies do a reorg. This is more common than you think. I would bet at one time you were either a victim or the culprit. It’s all about survival and some people just want to survive. I get it.
The one thing people often forget at times like these is the history of each person. All the times someone stepped up and did the work or supported someone else. That becomes forgotten history until the crisis is over. The exception is the rational person who can look at the reality of things.
Our industry right now is going through tough times. I am sure it will get worse before it gets better. I hope most of you are prepared. I hope we can work together to help each other.
I will say one thing, when times were good, my family got prepared. We were in a position to do that. I am also older, I spend more time thinking and preparing for the future. I don’t live paycheck to paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I could have done a lot better and I did foolish things with my money, wasted some of it, but also have some great memories. We have to balance being conservative with good memories.
I feel very fortunate regardless of what happens.
That doesn’t mean I won’t have a backup plan. I would tell you to make sure you have a backup plan. It could be a variety of things.
- Save money for tough times.
- Line up another job and be ready to jump if where you are now lets you go or makes you feel unwanted. When you feel unwanted, it’s time to go if you can.
- Stay healthy, keep in shape and eat right. When you’re healthy you worry about almost everything else. When you’re unhealthy, you worry about one thing, being healthy again.
- Stay in touch with friends and acquaintances because your friends can help you through tough times.
- Build up your networks. Professional and personal networks are critical when going through tough times. For support and for finding new opportunities.
I hope this helps you someday.
Keep the faith!! As Americans, the one thing we will always have is hope for things to get better and the faith to know things will get better.