The Recession is a Game Changer

Do you need proof that the world has changed with this recession?

Check out Tom Peter's list, Recession46: Forty-six “Secrets” and “Clever Strategies” For Dealing with the Recession of 2008-XXXX.

He starts by stating the obvious.

You come to work earlier.
You leave work later.
You work harder.
You may well work for less; and, if so, you adapt to the untoward circumstances with a smile—even if it kills you inside.
You volunteer to do more.
You dig deep, deeper, deepest—and always bring a good attitude to work.
You fake it if your good attitude flags.
You literally practice your “game face” in the mirror in the morning, and in the loo mid-morning.
You give new meaning to the idea and intensive practice of “visible management.”
You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same— physical well-being significantly impacts mental well-being and response to stress.
You shrug off shit that flows downhill in your direction—buy a shovel or a “pre-worn” raincoat on eBay.
You try to forget about “the good old days”—nostalgia is self-destructive
(And bores others.)
You buck yourself up with the thought that “this too shall pass”—but then remind yourself that it might not pass any time soon, and so you re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now.
You work the phones and then work the phones some more—and stay in touch with and on the mind of positively everyone.
You frequently invent breaks from routine, including “weird” ones — “changeups” prevent wallowing and bring a fresh perspective.
You eschew all forms of personal excess.
You simplify.
You sweat the details as never before.
You sweat the details as never before.
You sweat the details as never before.
You raise to the sky and maintain at all costs the Standards of Excellence by which you unfailingly and unflinchingly evaluate your own performance.

In effect, you need two plans going forward. You need a new business plan. And you need a personal development plan.

Even as government becomes an increasingly intrusive part of our lives, we are more independent than ever before. The social support structure of family and community are not what they once were. Which means that if you do not have an attitude and the behaviors to be resilient and adaptive, then you are going to have a hard time coping with the changes that are taking place.

Read Tom Peters whole list. Copy it. Reflect on it. Factor it into your personal development plan.

HT: Dan Pink

Comments

[Dennis Scheibmeir]

Thanks Ed - that makes sense. It would certainly not be helpful to respond immediately based upon emotions. Even folks who love what they do will have bad days, bad weeks, etc. I'm sorry to hear this has been the worst year for consulting. I'm guessing this might be mostly attributable to the economy.

This particular item is interesting: "You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same— physical well-being significantly impacts mental well-being and response to stress."

I think this is tough to do in reality, as people will drop their gym membership when they are struggling financially. It's also tough to go be around folks who are doing well.

I'm still challenged by expressions of "game-changing" and "game-face". I've never been one to oh and ah over a "cute" baby or to feign excitement over something I'm not at all interested in. Maybe I missed that life-training. I think it works for me.

Maybe I'm a little too exacting in expecting expressions to carry their freight, but it doesn't seem so much a game, as it is life. And "game-changing" and "life-changing" are a part of life. It seems to me that what we are really talking about is the ability to adapt. We grieve that things aren't as easy as they once were, and lament that now there is so much more required. If we fail to adapt to the new ways then we will become increasingly irrelevant.

I wrote more, and rather than posting it, I'm finding myself pondering what it means. The post is more challenging to me than I had previously realized. There are indeed shifts in culture, creep in expectations, and increasing demand to be entertained and wowwed. There is the feeling that if we don't do more, then someone else will do it.

Much to think about. As usual, Ed, you give me things to consider. Thank you for that!

[Ed Brenegar]

He used a poor choice of words, but not wearing our emotions on our sleeve is a sound strategy. Having had the worst year of my consulting career, I can tell you that putting a game face on is not an act of self-deception, but an act of belief that I can do better.

The larger issue is whether people who are out of work have the creative resources to reconceive what they are to do. I've begun to coach people who are somewhat lost because nothing in their previous experience prepared them for what they are experiencing now. It is a game-changing transition for most of us, and if we don't change how we approach our work, we'll find it increasingly hard to put a game face on.

[Dennis Scheibmeir]

Things on this list were once the way to get ahead. Are you saying that these are necessary just to stay put? How does one get ahead then?

It's a cute list, entertaining, and no doubt some live by it. But personally I find it to be like ingredients to a bargain hotdog - much of them unsavory.

I get it about working harder, longer, volunteering, and doing your best to be responsive to customers, bosses and peers. These should come somewhat natural if we love what we are doing.

But faking it, putting on a game face, shrugging off shit, etc - these aren't in line with good health, nor with long-term success. These are far from anything that could be called a sweet-spot. If a person has to do these things for very long they are going to become quite resentful, and may "snap". That's just too much pressure and too much balogna. I'm glad that I'm not in that rat race - and I'm surprised Tom didn't "sweat the details" on this list.