[M]y main prayers are help me, help me, help me and thank you, thank you, thank you. – Anne Lamott, author (source)
A lot of the U.S. readers of this blog will probably spend the next couple of days overindulging in food and drink, televised sports, and family gatherings. Ergo, they won’t be checking the blogs much.
But just in case you do log on (to escape the in-laws, or football, or for whatever reason), I wanted to take up this space during this time of year to say “thank you, thank you, thank you” to all of you readers. I know you have limited time and many other things to do, so I’m honored that you take the time to visit, and I hope that, more often than not, you find something here that made it worth the effort.
Wishing everyone in the U.S. a Happy Thanksgiving. And to everyone else around the world, let the same spirit of thanksgiving be present in your lives as well.
Graphic by Wes May, from 'Economy weighs heavily on hearts and minds,' thereporteronline.comWhether we’re in a real recession or not — that is, a recession as economists define it — it’s pretty obvious that everybody thinks we’re in one. And since perception equals reality, we might as well acknowledge the elephant in the parlor.
Yes, we are in a recession. But if you’re looking for a more authoritative voice on the subject, let’s turn to futurist/trendspotter Faith Popcorn:
Out on the street no one is asking if we are in a recession, they’re asking when will it all end and where will we be (source).
Talk of a recession is feeding the fears of a people already living in uncertain times. No doubt, the recession blues have hit some of your co-workers — even if it hasn’t hit you. According to a recent survey by Workplace Options, half of more than 700 adult workers “reported feeling stressed over financial matters; nearly half said the economic uncertainty has negatively affected their work production” (source).
All this bad news can have a paralyzing effect. Whether you’re a manager responsible for keeping staff motivated and projects on track during these tough times, or whether you work alongside others who have been fretting more than usual about their 401k, you’re in a position of influence. In most cases, the co-workers have more influence on their peers than do managers.
How can you be a positive, calming influence during these trying times?
Put wax in your ears. People are more afraid of flying than driving because the press does not report car accidents. I never watch the news. Only listen to news you get in a social setting, the things people talk about. Our brains cannot deal with the overload of information. Having a lot of data is not good for anyone trying to make a decision.
That’s bitter medicine for those of us who work in such a data-driven field as marketing, and who work hard to persuade people to buy our goods. But Taleb is on to something, and his advice — to ignore the voices of gloom and doom all around us — may be just what many of us need right now.
So stop checking your stock portfolio. Tune out the news. Shake off the mental paralysis that comes from too much information. Focus on your work and do your best. Take the focus off of your situation and focus on helping others who are having a tough time. Remember that despite the state of your retirement account, there are many people in this world who are far less fortunate. And remember that in many ways, recession is a state of mind.
Andrew Careaga 