Chicken Little Spotted On Wall Street: Market Up...Market Down...Stress UP!

Remember when you were a kid, and your mom and dad read you that story about Chicken Little?
Chicken Little feels an acorn drop on her head and assumes the sky is falling. She goes on to spread such misinformation to her animal friends. The chaos that ensues enables “Foxy Loxy” to come along and make a meal out of some of Chicken Little’s friends.

The story of Chicken Little is meant to show what happens when you pass along information that isn’t true. It leaves you vulnerable to attack because no one is paying attention to what’s really happening.

Lately, the mass hysteria that the media and the internet have contributed to is reminding me of that story. No, we’re not all running around squawking that the sky is falling, exactly. But we might as well be, with the election rumors flying around, the bailout backlash, and everything else that’s going on.

Yes, some companies have closed their doors, and banks have gone under. These are facts. But despite these major events, the sky is NOT falling. Life still goes on. You likely still have your job. Businesses are still in business… some are even thriving in these conditions, due to new demand for what they offer.

No, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring… but now is NOT the time to contribute to pointless speculation, or lay awake in your bed fearing the worst.

Now is a time for preparation. Let me give you a few examples of how real life teaches us the value of being prepared:
1. If you get word that a storm is coming, you board up your home and evacuate, or you take refuge in your cellar until the worst is over.

2. If you know that traffic is likely to prevent you from getting to work on time, you leave extra early or take an alternate route.

Right now, we know that our economy is changing, and that may very well mean that life will also change for us as individuals.
So, what can we do to prepare?

Make yourself indispensible at work.
If you see that the department where you work isn’t running as smoothly as it could be, maybe you can submit a proposal for a new way of doing things. If you’ve just experienced a reorganization, spend some extra time and effort on smoothing out the daily workflow. Look around and figure out what can be improved. Be a thought leader, or a loyal supporter if you feel you do better in the background. Look for things to fix, and then tackle each project one by one. Make sure you’re recognized for your effort.

Consider alternate forms of income.
Maybe your current job holds no excitement or challenge for you. Maybe your company has been downsizing and you’re worried about that. There is surely more than one way to generate income, and if you’re ready to start thinking outside of the box, you can come up with ways to put your strengths, talents and personal interests to work for profit. People launch businesses every day. Find out what it takes to make that happen for you.
Imagine that! Having a business based around what you love? Now THAT’s a bright side to the economy being in bad shape.

Change your perspective.
There is always more than one way to look at things. Some folks see a dead end situationk while others see an opportunity. Did you know that the diamond engagement ring wasn’t always a tradition? It only became one in 1938, after the De Beers Diamond Company began using the slogan “A Diamond is Forever” to help boost diamond sales, which in turn boosted the economy, during the Great Depression. When you change your attitude, you change your actions. Over time, the results of said actions influence others to do the same.

Teach your children.
Life has lessons to teach, but education starts in the home. If you’re already doing your best to offer your kids experiences that will enrich them, keep doing that! If you feel, as I once did, that you’re not present enough in your children’s lives, then work on changing things. I speak from experience; it can be done. With the world in such flux, it pays to instill a strong value system in our future leaders. Help your kids to be the best they can be. Teach them survival skills that they’ll be able to take with them for the rest of their lives.

What’s the first step that you can take to start thinking like a survivor instead of a victim? Do that! And if you need help getting started, I’m here.