There is no doubt that the economy is tough at the moment, and there are plenty of people who are doing it tough as well. So it is easy to think that it’s all doom and gloom and that it’s just head down, bum up; a matter of surviving or making it through relatively unscathed.
But I think these periods that are hard present us with an unusual opportunity on a number of fronts:
- It provides us an opportunity to think outside our usual box; to be creative about what we do with our life and our career. Too often when things are going well, it is too easy to go along for the ride, not wanting to give up a nice salary or good benefits. I know of a couple whose jobs were both made redundant within weeks of each other. They took the opportunity to rent out their house, pack up the kids and go on a long dreamed of trip around Australia. Other friends are doing things with their careers that they have always dreamed of but couldn’t justify whilst they were receiving a healthy salary and benefits.
- I have also observed that people are more respectful and appreciative of their clients, customers and employers. This has meant people are going out of their way to go the extra mile and more often with a smile as well.
- Because there is a need to do more with less, this has meant that new, creative solutions are being generated. New ways of doing things. Necessity is the mother of invention and all that..
- And finally, there seems to be a real sense of gratitude around which has meant much more giving back and generosity, and with real heart it seems.
It is hard to challenge the status quo when the status quo is so good, but when it is not that good, all of a sudden it becomes much easier to do what you’ve always wanted to do with less (often self imposed) restrictions.
So, if things are hard a your place, think about whether there is a different lens you could be looking through. What opportunities do the hard times present — whether that is in doing something that you’ve always wanted to do, or to look at your business in a new light, or to innovate and create..
Sometimes, a change of perspective can change everything.
Until next week, happy leading.
