Thriving in Trying Times

In this difficult economy, it can be far too easy to focus on the economic pain that has undeniably affected everyone. Many people are unemployed. Households are stretched financially. Discouraged job seekers struggle to maintain their self-esteem. Even people who are employed fear for their livelihoods.

And yet, not all is doom and gloom. Even with a national unemployment rate just under 10 percent, there's still an enormous amount of economic activity taking place.

For most adults in the United States, we take for granted that, if we apply ourselves with diligence, we will and should secure work, clients, or customers within what we consider a reasonable timeframe. If we do not, we assume we have made some misstep, and we take it as a personal failing. This belief is so deeply ingrained in our American psyche that we may not even recognize its presence.

It might be time to temper this self-reliant streak in our outlook. In some instances, it might be causing more suffering than good at this moment.

I've seen the scenario played out many times in the last year: diligent people with a strong work ethic look for work or business, spend untold hours, and use every tool within their disposal. Their efforts are barely successful, even futile. The result is anger, frustration, depression, anxiety, feeling isolated, and worrying about the future. Their actions and approach seem completely reasonable and responsible, but their expectations are based on a reality that seemed certain--even a given--just a couple of years ago.

In this economy, the rules have changed--at least for the moment. There are forces at work that are much larger than any one of us, and we need to adjust our expectations about what we can individually control. Easy money, easy credit, abundant work, and instant career gratification are less universal at this moment.

This doesn't mean that we should give up looking for work, abandon our responsibilities, or give up on our dreams. But if we are to survive and thrive in these trying times, we must strike a new, more nuanced view of what we can accomplish in a stalled economic climate. It might mean adjusting our expectations of income temporarily. It might mean changing careers. It might mean, on the positive side, exploring dreams that we deferred when we were much busier.

In fact, a downturn can be an extremely fertile time for innovation and creativity. Business and political leaders are taking risks that they never would have considered a year ago, because they have been forced to do so. Entrepreneurs are launching new businesses. They are finding new ways to cater to people's changing needs, values, and tastes. In chaos, there is opportunity.

If you are unemployed or underemployed, consider the following:

• Know that you are not alone! There are many more people in your circumstance than you might realize.
• Discover what the downturn is calling you to do. Take a new direction for your career, or simply do the thing you always wanted to do. You have more time now, so dust off that deferred dream! What do you have to lose?
• Create a plan for yourself that balances your need to find work, customers, or clients, with your need to grow, learn, and discover. Find ways to enjoy this lull in commerce.
• Explore industries or areas of the economy that are doing well. How can you position yourself to get into the action?
• Understand that boom-time expectations lead to frustration right now. Accept what you cannot change. Change what you can. And re-examine what the difference is.
• Surround yourself with people who will support you in remaining positive rather than drawing you into fear about the future.
• Take the long view, knowing that all downturns end. Create a vision for yourself of the position you want to be in when the economy picks up.

Whatever you choose, define for yourself what it means to thrive in these trying times and to take action to make it happen.