How To Remain Hopeful in the Midst of the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression Part 3 (1)

By Miriam B. Medina

In parts one and two, I covered the troubles we face in this current economic climate, recounted historical similarities to similar economic problems in our past, and discussed how faith, hope and clarity of mind are needed to help us work through these problems. In this, the final part of this three-part series, I will give you a couple of pointers that I would like to share with you. Remember, starting over takes a lot of courage, confidence and determination.

One of the many things that I love about America is that it offers a wide range of employment positions in every area you could possibly think of. So if, you are unemployed, what you have to do is decide what job you want to pursue, even in these difficult times, then analyze your talents and capabilities that you can offer. Then, use that famous American pioneering spirit and go after it. It's essential that you remain flexible, not getting locked in to one way of doing things. If you can't find a job, then create one. For example, if you were a bookkeeper, you could reach small businesses and see if they need someone to help them with their accounting for a negotiable fee. If you are able to get a few accounts, this at least will give you an incentive to keep going, to get out of bed and become productive once again. Yes, you can achieve success, even through the worst of economic crisis' by getting back on track and remaining hopeful. When I was unemployed a few years ago and couldn't find anything in my field, I went out and bought cleaning supplies, a vacuum and placed an ad in the papers offering to do house cleaning. I must say, it was an extraordinary experience for me in comparison to my previous occupations. Believe it or not, there still are people who pay to have their house cleaned, even these days. Work is work and money is money. You do whatever it takes to survive.

1. Plan Your Strategy

Put the remote aside for a moment so you are not distracted, and then get yourself a pad and pencil and keep it handy. One must develop a specific plan to fix your course of action in regards to the focus point of your worry. Whatever comes to mind, jot it down and keep all of it. Just as ideas or thoughts suddenly appear in your head, they often leave just as quickly. It is necessary to be flexible and not to condemn these ideas as they come to you. Even if they don't fit into what you are planning to do, don't reject any of them. There will be a day, down the road, when you think to some level that you have enough thoughts and ideas written down, then you can be critical as to what you want to use, eliminating or storing the rest for future reference.

Now after you develop a plan, if it does not successfully work, then you continue to replace it with a new plan, learning from your mistakes, until you find one that does work. When you choose this route, it creates confidence in your ability to handle any situation.

2. If You Want To Excel and Defeat the Calamities, Get Rid of Self Limitations

Although making changes may seem easy for some people, it can be extremely difficult for others. We can, at times, be our own worst enemy. Some individuals would sell themselves short, underestimating their own potential. This is not the time to set up barriers by limiting yourself with "I cant's," and other forms of self-condemnation and self-limitations. When one changes the way they think about one's self, then outer experiences will be changed as well. Forget the inferiority complex and the assumption that "nobody is hiring". Remember, even in these tough times, there are businesses out there that are still thriving and offering job opportunities. If there is an opportunity, seize it without hesitation. Also, don't sell yourself short by focusing on your lack of education and qualifications for the job opening you seek. Remember, sometimes the best educated person is self-made. So if you are still having a hard time with this, then take some courses, familiarize yourself with all the latest updated information in your area of choice. If you can't afford special courses, then go to your local public library. It contains a treasure trove of information that is readily available.

3. Self Direction

Remember, we are not "at the mercy of Fate," as the expression says "Que será, será...what will be will be." This type of thinking clouds any possibility for a better future. Self-direction is what motivates us to pick up the pieces and start again. In order for you to achieve whatever you set out to do, you must believe in whatever you want to obtain first, accept its feasibility, and confidently expect it to be realized, and in doing so you will raise your thoughts and your vision to see beyond your needs, circumstances, or conditions that surround you, which will result in fear turning to courage and confidence, anxiety to calmness, and despair to faith and hope.

4. Start Building Your Self-Confidence

Although you may have taken a sizeable loss in trading deals, which has plunged your family into a severe financial hole, you must not forget that you still have the creativity and ingenuity with which you originally started out with. If you decide to start again in another field, you can use this same creativity and ingenuity that worked before. Eventually this will result in a much more successful and prosperous accomplishment.

Hidden deep within ourselves is an extraordinary and inexhaustible source of innovative ideas that are waiting for us to make use of them. Musicians, authors, scientists, inventors, designers, artists, etc., over the centuries, have successfully learned the secret of tapping into the hidden talents that lie within them, and they work hard to develop them to their fullest. It is incredible as to how many creative ideas are born out of extreme necessity. The same inventive spirit found in the American people during the prosperous years can also be demonstrated during the worst.

5. This is not the Time to Procrastinate

Decision making can, at times, be mentally exhausting. People who are unclear, as the saying goes, "grow grass under their feet." They are called procrastinators, which is the opposite of being a decisive person. Because of their insecurities, they live in constant turmoil. It takes them forever to make a decision as to their choice, holding out forever, waiting for ever better possibilities which often never come. In the meantime, they are letting incredible opportunities slip by. Indecision creates an unstable situation in your mind and body. As long as you are an indecisive person, you are vulnerable and won't be able to move in any direction with full assurance, unless you are guaranteed that the step you will take in making changes is safe and secure. And we all know there are no guarantees in life. If and when you do decide, don't allow yourself to be harassed by fear as to whether or not you made the right choice. Work with whatever you have and move forward, taking advantage of the opportunities that surround you. Let the results speaks for themselves. "Where there is a will, there is a way."

To be continued: Part 3 (2)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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