Better, stronger, faster – tomorrow’s bionic men and women

When I consider the economic environment that is our reality, I cannot help thinking of the television series about the bionic man and woman, complete with the cheesy music in the background as they jump over seemingly impossible hurdles.  Both overcame devastating circumstances to come out better, stronger, faster.  I believe that will happen for the US, but it will take action, not reaction.   President Obama last week laid out the stimulus plan and the proposed budget that will get us out of this mess, and the news sources continue to pile on the gloom and I feel have taken a wait-and-see approach to the results of the stimulus plan.  I ask, “what are we waiting for?”  Now is the time to act, not later when we are trying to determine how it will pan out.  If we let the gloom of the daily forecasts dictate our response we will be paralyzed, and let’s be honest - happy stories do not sell.   Keep the news in perspective Take the recent story of Warren Buffet’s letter to his shareholders – the title is “Buffett: Economy will remain in “shambles”” The reporter ignored Buffet’s comments, found in the same letter:  "Though the path has not been smooth, our economic system has worked extraordinarily well over time," … "It has unleashed human potential as no other system has, and it will continue to do so. America's best days lie ahead."    As I drove to a meeting recently, I listened to NPR (I wish I could remember the speaker to give him credit) but he spoke of what an emotional animal the stock market was, and its tendency to amplify its reaction to any news.  He explained that the market had successfully identified eleven of the past eight recessions (no that’s not a typo, but confirmation that emotional over reaction, and the stock market are integrated, and that connection needs to be understood when drawing any conclusions regarding the market’s responses to situations.)   Take control of your destiny My primary reason for starting my consulting business was that I wanted control of my destiny.  I’ve worked for three companies that went Chapter 11, and while I did not reside in the home office, from my perch, I saw that leadership did not have its act together – they had forgotten the fundamentals.  I did not want my fate decided by strangers.  Is it tough, definitely, but I am laying a solid foundation that will pay dividends.  More importantly, I am strongly motivated, I developed my business plan and defined some near and long term goals and am focused on achieving my targets.  A rule, here in Silicon Valley, is that many businesses started in recessions come out stronger – businesses with names like Google and Microsoft.  I take comfort in that fact, and look forward to discovering the next generation of these companies.   I also realize that being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, and people need to do some soul searching before they make that leap.  What I am advocating is taking charge of what you can control.  If you suspect your job is on the line, start looking now, do not wait.  Waiting for something beyond your control to come makes you feel powerless.  By being proactive you place yourself in the driver seat and have laid the ground work for what happens next.        Here’s some activities that work for me:   Network – the more people I meet the more people know what I can do.  Also the more I understand what issues companies face so I know how to approach their problems.   Learn – This includes practicing and improving my writing, participating in different activities including new social networks and media, attending lectures and reading. I read articles on the web, follow blogs of people influential to my area of business and beyond, I attend discussions and panels on topics of interest.  I learn more every day.   Exercise – I run nearly everyday.  Physical exercise helps me to deal with stress.  I also have many of my “aha” moments when I run.   Volunteer – For selfish reasons, I enjoy the satisfaction I get from helping others.  I work with different people I might not otherwise encounter.  I know so many non-profits are struggling right now that helping can go along way.  I work with Taproot and if you are in a city where they have projects, volunteering with them is a wonderful way to keep your skills sharp while working on some exciting projects.     Find inspiration where you can I find inspiration in the nuggets of wisdom of different quotes.   <ul style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Johann Friedrich Von Schiller</li> </ul> He cannot complain of a hard sentence, who is made master of his own fate. o       Benjamin Franklin He that waits upon fortune is never sure of a dinner. o       Ralph Waldo Emerson Hitch your wagon to a star. o       William Ernest Henley I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. o       Richard Hovey I do not know beneath what sky nor on what seas shall be thy fate; I only know it shall be high, I only know it shall be great. o       Albert Schweitzer I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. o       Amy Tan If you can't change your fate, change your attitude. o       André Maurois If you create an act, you create a habit. If you create a habit, you create character. If you create a character, you create a destiny. o       Lanes Company If you don’t make things happen, things will happen to you. Ask for help No one does it alone, and knowing where you limitations lie and seeking help does not signal weakness, it’s a sign of strength.  Limitations are not static they change as people grow and develop. 2009-03-01T21:54:32Z

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better-stronger-faster-tomorrows-bionic-men-and-women

2009-03-07T01:21:30Z

With the economy, I think of the the bionic man and woman. Both overcame devastating circumstances to come out better, stronger, faster. I believe that will happen for the US, but it will take action, not reaction.

Better, stronger, faster – tomorrow’s bionic men and women

2009-03-07T01:21:31Z