Are We Panicking Yet?
16/Dec/08 10:58 Filed in: Careers
BusinessWeek magazine just carried a cover story this
week: "Is the Jobs Panic Justified?"
Which begs the question in my mind, are they
helping to create needless panic by having a
picture of Edvard Munch's "The Scream" on their
cover? How much of the trepidation and fear is
justified and how much is being manufactured
through media hype?
Honestly, I don't know the answer to that, but I suspect that it has a lot to do with where you are and what you do as to which end of the spectrum you should fall. The worst-hit industries are construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation and sales/retail. If you fall into these categories, and/or live in an area of the country where these are the backbone of the economy, well, the picture on the cover of Newsweek probably accurately illustrates how you're feeling right now.
On the other hand, if you're in professional occupations and/or live in an area of the country which is stronger in the professional services or other types of businesses not listed above, then you way want to just put the magazine to the side and turn off the news. This is not to say you should not be informed, concerned and a bit cautious in this market, but right now panic seems to be an outsized reaction.
Regardless of your current circumstances, living in fear is not the most productive approach. Rather if you look for the possibilities, the opportunities, and the silver lining in adversity, and be thankful for anything and everything in your life that is good and sustaining, you will see through any rough patches. Take charge of your life with purposeful action. You will be happier, more relaxed and more confident. And guess what? Employers (current or potential) will pick up on that -- enthusiasm and optimism are precious commodities. They will want to keep you around.
Honestly, I don't know the answer to that, but I suspect that it has a lot to do with where you are and what you do as to which end of the spectrum you should fall. The worst-hit industries are construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation and sales/retail. If you fall into these categories, and/or live in an area of the country where these are the backbone of the economy, well, the picture on the cover of Newsweek probably accurately illustrates how you're feeling right now.
On the other hand, if you're in professional occupations and/or live in an area of the country which is stronger in the professional services or other types of businesses not listed above, then you way want to just put the magazine to the side and turn off the news. This is not to say you should not be informed, concerned and a bit cautious in this market, but right now panic seems to be an outsized reaction.
Regardless of your current circumstances, living in fear is not the most productive approach. Rather if you look for the possibilities, the opportunities, and the silver lining in adversity, and be thankful for anything and everything in your life that is good and sustaining, you will see through any rough patches. Take charge of your life with purposeful action. You will be happier, more relaxed and more confident. And guess what? Employers (current or potential) will pick up on that -- enthusiasm and optimism are precious commodities. They will want to keep you around.