How do you stay motivated in a down economy?

I am a true believer that what you put out into the universe, you get back ten fold. I also believe, that what you believe, and what you put out into the universe, becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Negative thinking brings negative things etc.

I have been in sales over 20 years and by now should be some what use to people saying "no, not at this time" or "not interested" but for some reason the "no's " lately have been harder to hear.

I'm typically an up beat optimistic soul, that when put up to a challenge is rather bullish in her believes of "I can do it"!

Lately after hearing so many of my friends being laid off or let go I have started this downward spiral of negative thinking.

I'm desperately seeking motivation. Can anyone help me get excited again. I really want to remain positive!

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Permalink Reply by Katie Kleisner on January 13, 2009 at 11:21pm

Jerry Albright said:

Well - first things first. Are you alive? Were you able to get out of bed without assistance this morning? One of these days we will all face things so much greater than the ups and downs of the economy. Luckily we are around to fight the battle!

OK. So now that we have that squared away -I feel bad in bringing this up - but you and I are STILL IN IT!!! The business reality here Jill is that while our friends are being forced out of the industry - it has not happened to us. So our "piece of the pie" is getting bigger and bigger every day! I know several recruiters who are right now in transition and I'm sure they'll be back to compete with me shortly. I am also aware of others who, frankly, should never have been given the chance to work in our field and it is with a big smile that I watch them leave.

While I certainly have compassion for those of us who will no longer be in the staffing arts - I am comforted by the reality that there are less people calling my clients each day.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Kleisner on January 13, 2009 at 11:21pm

Amen!

Katie Kleisner said:

Jerry Albright said:
Well - first things first. Are you alive? Were you able to get out of bed without assistance this morning? One of these days we will all face things so much greater than the ups and downs of the economy. Luckily we are around to fight the battle!

OK. So now that we have that squared away -I feel bad in bringing this up - but you and I are STILL IN IT!!! The business reality here Jill is that while our friends are being forced out of the industry - it has not happened to us. So our "piece of the pie" is getting bigger and bigger every day! I know several recruiters who are right now in transition and I'm sure they'll be back to compete with me shortly. I am also aware of others who, frankly, should never have been given the chance to work in our field and it is with a big smile that I watch them leave.

While I certainly have compassion for those of us who will no longer be in the staffing arts - I am comforted by the reality that there are less people calling my clients each day.

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Permalink Reply by bill josephson on January 13, 2009 at 11:43pm

The fact there are basically none of my long time competitors/friends dating back to the early 1980's around and I still am brings me no comfort. I compete with myself measuring my performance against my goals knowing my results are in the numbers produced.

After every recession there's a business adjustment we have to be ready for out of our control. In the early 1980's recession companies automated from manual systems. Early 1990's companies went from mainframes to PC to Web based systems. Early 2000's companies began corporate offshore outsourcing to India and China.

This time? Is this a serious US demise with companies moving operations overseas to their future revenue streams with growing middle classes in Asia/India? Many scoff at the notion. But aren't most of you a bit concerned over the state of our private sector corporate economy? Stress in enough sectors can bring down the most lucrative recruiting discipline. The I/T collapse and offshore outsourcing sure took me by surprise when it happened in the early 2000's. They're still going to run their business, but does the main corporate structure have to be here? Can companies get by with a sales and service office in the US?

I'm not predicting economic apocalypse. But I wonder if all this carnage doesn't make for a massive number of corporate jobs finding cheap labor/low tax countries overseas while importing vast numbers of H1's here. And the answer is, I don't know. But I know I take no comfort in the business drowning of others as it could mean greater market share, or an omen of worse things coming my way.

Just my five cents.......

Bill Josephson

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Faust on January 14, 2009 at 5:25am

Jill, the funny thing is that when I need a shot of motivation I often think of you. You have been an inspiring, positive, encouraging influence in my life.

It doesn't solve anything, but sometimes it helps to be reminded of the affect we have on others. I, for one, am very glad that our paths crossed!

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Permalink Reply by Jill Rosenfield on January 14, 2009 at 8:05am

You rock Claudia!!! Thank you. I appreciate the kind words, and I too, am soooo glad our paths have crossed.
I'm feeling more optimistic as the week progresses; I just needed a shot of POSITIVE MOTIVATION to get me going again. Just knowing I'm not alone makes me feel better! :)