To be sure, there are legitimate concerns and situations – many stemming from greed, many stemming from poor coincidental circumstances – but all seem to be depressing, frustrating, and hopeless.

I’ve been listening to “the economy” woes for 7 years now.  Of course we have tenuous moments.  Of course it’s relative to our standard of living.   Of course if can be overwhelming at times.  But every year has been better than the last for us.  Outside of ascribing it to living in a time of miracles and the favor of God, what reason can I give for it?

For argument’s sake, let me elucidate from a “pragmatic” view.  You can apply these challenges to your own career.  Most of them seem pretty universal to me:

1) Is your pride getting in the way?  Are you unwilling to do what it takes to survive and thrive?  Many people see certain occupations as “beneath them” while survivors find a new way (and sometimes a new career) that is more challenging and lucrative than anything they clung to in the past.

2) Are you in the wrong place?  Not just timing, but sometimes one has to admit that “this just isn’t my world”  Self-awareness – of one’s limitations, strengths, potential, and possibilities is wise.  Plant a tiger in the ocean and the top predator becomes prey. 

3) Do you fear change?  A definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect different results.  The only thing that doesn’t change IS change.  Why fight the obvious?  Deal with things – don’t just ignore them.  That’s where the growth occurs.

4) Get busy living or get busy dying!  Great quote.  You can be a victim or a victor.  Re-inventing yourself, learning a new skill, hanging out a new shingle, diversification in whatever form that works – but TRY.  Don’t accept this as the end of your life.  As children, I doubt any of us expected our grown-up selves to be in the situation we’re in now.

5) Why not?  The greatest success stories have had the greatest adversity.  The challenge hones and sharpens and great minds often focus on the progress – any amount possible.  “Can do” attitudes prevail.

Practice, practice, practice – it’s all very logical and a way to ride things out.  In the end, those that do will be far better than those that were simply a part of the pavement.

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