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When Things Go Hardest...

Written by: Thomas H. Swank

Article Overview: During times of economic downturn, life and work become increasingly difficult for virtually everyone. Organizations and their people tend to flounder in a sea of uncertainty, while struggling with their decision making processes. Those leaders who have historically preceded us in troubled times, provide key insight into the aprropriate attitudes and actions which can sustain us through the current recession times.

When Things Go Hardest...

In the midst of the deepening global recession, life has undoubtedly become much “harder” for you, your organization and family.

B.C. Forbes (1880-1954), the Founder of Forbes Magazine observed early in the 20th century that:

“It is when things go hardest, when life becomes most trying, that there is greatest need for having a fixed goal.”

Mr. Forbes observation serves to remind us that life is not “easy”. If it were, we would all rather quickly become bored, due to the lack of appropriate challenges that would engage us in the process of personal growth and development. As a human being, you were designed to be mentally and physically challenged, in order to be engaged in the process of life, while being stretched time and again to reach each new stage of your life.

The silver lining in Mr. Forbes perspective is that:

Both our society and our people have endured, learned from, and ultimately prospered from hard times many times before. This is not the time to get down on life and the temporal circumstances with which you are now faced. Now is the time to “knuckle down” and get to work on preparing a better, more prosperous future for yourself and your family. Waiting out the recession is the wrong strategy. Being proactive about your future and the opportunities that await there is the right strategy.

The second part of Mr. Forbes quotation, also gives us his insight regarding what we should be doing in times such as these. He advises you to be focused on what is most “important”.

Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln conveyed a similar thought process when he stated, “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise to the occasion.”

From the conversations which I am hearing everyday, coupled with all the media negativity, there is hardly a solitary soul that is even attempting to rise to this significant and important occasion.

The time has come for each of you to decide ... are you a “winner”? ... or a “loser”?

For those of you who know me well, or have heard me speak, you should by now be familiar with one of my very own quotes, “Neither time ... nor the marketplace will afford you the luxury of remaining where you are.”

The point that I’m making is that there is no middle ground here! You are going to either give in and succumb to the recession (get worse), or you’re going to use the current adversity as a slingshot to propel you forward (into a prosperous future). There are two, and only two choices in this equation of life.

The final decision to win (move forward) or lose (go backward) is entirely yours. Rest assured of this one very thing, both of these decisions involve a significant degree of “risk”. Are you more willing to take a risk on you? Or are you more willing to take a risk on the economy and the government?

Better yet ... why not simply “refuse” to take part in the recession. You have the freedom of choice and control over your own life ... so, “why” can’t you not just say NO?

The state of the global economy, lack of consumer confidence, tight credit or rising unemployment does not take away from or diminish your “talents” and “abilities” to do great work. Neither, does it prevent you from being a valuable asset to your organization or customers.

The recession has no direct power over your ability to revise your personal vision for your life, to formulate a plan for that vision and to create a course of action that will allow you to live out your vision successfully.

Scripture tells us time and again ... “To be strong and of good courage!”

The ultimate question of the times is ... Are you willing to rise to the occasion?

Don’t allow yourself to wait for tomorrow, as:

Today is the day to be decisive!
Today is the day to plan for 2009 and beyond!
Today is the day to expand, grow and create new opportunities!
Today is the day for strategic thinking!
Today is the day to make your self “worth” more!
Today is the day to increase your knowledge and skills!
Today is the day to invest in yourself and your future!
Today is the day to say NO to fear and worry!
Today is the day to say NO to the recession!
Today is the day to say YES to increase in your life!
Today is the day to say YES to your future prosperity!

If you are going to rise to the occasion and say YES to your “future”, you are going to need to take prompt and immediate action. It will also require an honest admission that you are going to require some help in the process.

Take the first step and call me now, while you’re motivated. As always, I’m here to help.


Copyright © 2009 Thomas H. Swank, Executive Coach. All Rights Reserved.

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Article Tags: 16th president, 20th century, abraham lincoln, b c forbes, conversations, forbes magazine, global recession, growth and development, insight, lincoln, loser, midst, observation, personal growth and development, president abraham lincoln, proactive, quotation, silver lining, solitary soul, thought process



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