We received word yesterday that a friend and colleague had to lay off nearly 80% of his staff – proof positive that the economy in the United States continues to be a huge Challenger in the lives of many.
As TED* fan, Bill Carver, recently wrote on the Power of TED* Facebook page, “With the poor economy, the need to be creative is even more important. Exploring new frontiers versus the familiar way is the way forward.”
The old “psychological contract” between employee and employer used to be this: “come to work; keep your ‘nose clean’; do what you are told; and we will take care of you.” This paternalistic, ultimately disempowering mindset has been fading for decades and, in the current climate for all-too-many, has now been ripped to shreds.
A natural reaction of those whose lives have been thrown off course in this economy is to fall into the Dreaded Drama Triangle and its roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. One feels victimized by the economy and different people see different persecutors – those individuals and institutions they blame for the turn of events of the past couple of years. Many are hoping that, somehow and from somewhere, a great Rescuer will turn things around, be that the government or the Federal Reserve or some other individual or institution. However, when the hoped-for Rescuer does not deliver – or do so fast enough – they are then seen as yet another disappointing Persecutor. And so the drama is perpetuated.
The Victim Orientation, in which we await a Rescuer, is “the familiar way” to which Bill is referring. Perhaps the way forward first and foremost requires the shift into a Creator Orientation. From this mindset we can begin to create “new frontiers.” Instead of finding and following a “career path” provided by an employer, we can begin to create a career path, baby step by baby step.
From this orientation we can tap into the resourcefulness of The Empowerment Dynamic (TED) and its roles of Creator, Challenger and Coach. From this perspective, the down economy serves as a Challenger which sparks innovation, learning and growth. As we work in collaboration with others, we look for and serve as a Coach, clarifying our vision and tapping resources to create our career paths. (One great example is TED* Champion, coach and self-employment guru, Molly Gordon, and her upcoming “Self Employment Telesummit.”)
These times are a Challenger for many. How are you being a Creator during this down economy?
August 26, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
As Chief Inspector Clouseau once stated : ” Of course it won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. That is why I have always failed where others have succeeded. For me, the greater the odds, the greater the challenge. And, as always, I accept the challenge.”
Ok, so I like Pink Panther movies, my Father and I would watch these and laugh so hard we could barely breath.
However there is truth here in Clouseau’s humorous statement. In accepting the challenge we choose to do something take action rather than wait for would be rescuers to act on our behalf. If you fail, you take responsibility for your actions and you gain valuable insight and knowledge about yourself. As my father would say “learn from your mistakes”. Should you succeed then you created you something, you take responsibility for your actions, gain valuable insight and knowledge about yourself and as my father would say “learn from your success”.
But recently there was a story in our local paper that really tells the story of
economic climate as a Challenger and an amazing women who accepted the challenge, rose to the occasion and literally became a Creator: I believe you will find this story inspiring:
No piece of cake
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Angela Logan was in the same predicament as thousands of other homeowners: She was about to lose her house to foreclosure. And like so many homeowners, she had no idea where she would come up with the $2,500 payments to hold onto her property.
Some in that situation take on another job, or two or three. Some beg relatives for the money or sell off everything they own. Some simply move because they have no alternative. Logan baked. She baked frosting-topped apple cakes, dubbed them “mortgage cakes” and sold them to friends for $40 each. She figured she’d cook her way to safety.
An article about Logan by Staff Writer Jay Levin touched off a firestorm of orders for the dessert. Then the national and international media got hold of the story, and more orders poured in. Logan was waking at 3 a.m. and baking all day, and doing television interviews in between. The Hilton Hasbrouck Heights hotel read about Logan last week and offered her space in its kitchen. Perfect timing, it turned out, because people tipped off the Teaneck Health Department about the baking operation, and township officials delivered a cease-and-desist order.
Logan planned to make the first $2,500 payment to her mortgage lender Friday. She also signed a contract with an online cake seller. They will finish her orders, after which the mortgage apple cake will be absorbed into their product line.
It’s a whirlwind American story of desperation, ingenuity and success played out in one short week. One actress and mother of three faced down the armored tanks of debt by the humble act of baking and feeding others. Perhaps it’s that simplicity that captured the nation’s imagination, or the almost ridiculous plan of selling one cake at a time to pay off an entire house.
We applaud Logan on her tremendous effort and on her success. And we commend the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights for its community spirit and generous act.
On a sterner note, we also want to caution Logan to remember the tax ramifications for all the baking and selling she did before joining the online company.
Although foreclosure filings declined slightly in New Jersey from May to June, they rose in Bergen County from 282 to 291, according to RealtyTrac, which follows foreclosure activity. Angela Logan could easily have made that list. Only she didn’t. And that gives people hope that if they are “creative” and use their talents, they may be able to solve a seemingly insurmountable problem.
Logan has said her financial troubles began after an general contractor cost her $50,000 in damages. However she came to the brink of losing her home, we hope she will proceed with caution and act wisely in what may be her new found career.
September 29, 2009 @ 9:30 am
This is a great post… easier said than done, but very interesting.
David- thank you for posting the Logan story- who knew that such asimple hobby could help save a forclosure!