Find Your Reason to Hustle

J.R. Celski Hustles to a Bronze Medal

19 year-old Olympian J.R. Celski won his first bronze medal tonight in the men's 1500 short track speed skating competition.  Celski fell during a race in the Olympic trials in 2009 and his skate sliced his leg open.  He was actually in danger of bleeding to death, but got quick help from trainers and they were able to slow the bleeding.

It's amazing to see an athlete go from such a horrible accident to winning a medal in the Olympics.  J.R. must have worked tremendously hard to recover from his accident, and it's great to see him rewarded for his efforts.

Generation X Joins in the Recession Grumbling

An article by the Associated Press reports that Generation X, the 32-44 year-olds wedged in between the Baby Boomers and Gen Y youth, are jumping on the "this recession insn't fair" bandwagon.  That's no surprise.  Why should any generation be immune to the way things have gone economically?  What's interesting is the particular perspective that Gen X'ers have.

The Boomers got whacked by this whole thing right when they should have been retiring and living the good life.  They lost so much when the stock market went south that now they have to keep working.  It's understandable that they be frustrated and sad.

The Gen Y crowd is angry because they can't find jobs, since the boomers aren't retiring.  They're also angry because they didn't think they would have to take entry-level jobs (part of their much criticized personality of entitlement).  I can absolutely see how that would be anxiety-producing.

The Gen X'ers, in contrast, have already started their careers, and many have held multiple jobs by now.  They should be taking over in upper management as the Boomers retire, but they aren't getting to do so.  Plus, they're losing jobs in downsizing, and having to make the choice between doing the same job for someone else at less pay than they used to do it for, or losing that job opportunity to a Gen Y kid who is willing to start at that lower pay (yes, there are a few of them).

Everybody's going to feel this thing somehow.  Nobody's going to be truly immune.  Some of us are just going to feel it less than others.  But you've got to stop looking for someone to blame, and start looking at what you can do to improve your own situation.  Reduce your spending, eliminate your debt, and don't let your ego get in the way of how you earn money.   

Many Jobs Will Never Return. What Should You Do?

Read this article from the Wall Street Journal and then think about where you're at.  Is it in your best interests to wait for a new job to open in your current field?  Or should you be thinking about switching careers? 

In my experience working with people, the average person waits for an opportunity to present itself.  There is something to be said for having this kind of patience, but it could also be argued that if you do this you're just wasting time.  Every week that goes by that you're not earning puts you in a tougher place.  Every day that goes by where you're not advancing your own cause is a lost day. 

There's no perfect answer, but do yourself a favor and step back from your situation every now and then to evaluate what's going on; don't get tunnel vision.  If you're truly passionate about your work and you are committed to your profession for the long haul, then focus your energy on getting a new job in that profession.  But if you only want to stay in that profession because it's comfortable and you don't know what else you would do, you could be headed for trouble.

Susan Boyle Reminds Us That it's Never Too Late

Susan Boyle appeared on the finale of "America's Got Talent" last night.  Before her performance, the show ran a piece about what has happened in Susan's life since she was discovered on "Britain's Got Talent."  Basically the hype and the attention overwhelmed her to the point that she had a bit of a breakdown.  She went to a clinic for exhaustion after the finale of that show, and now has returned to the public eye with her appearance on the American show.

Her story is such a fascinating example of how dreams can come true, but also of the old cliche, "careful what you wish for."  By making the choice to pursue her dream, at a time in life when many people would have thought it was too late, Boyle took control of her own destiny and changed her own life.  Then, the reality of that change was something different than what she probably thought it would be like, and it had a serious impact on her well-being. 

When we dream about a better life, we don't usually think about the challenges that would come along with having that better life, and there are always going to be challenges.  If we truly wish to live the dream, then we have to create a more detailed vision of what it would really mean to live the dream, so that we can prepare to live it fully.  Susan Boyle was lucky to have people around her at the time of her health challenge who were invested in her well-being and her success.  I don't know who they are, but certainly there were people there for her who protected her and helped her get back on her feet again so that she can continue to live her dream. 

Most importantly, her appearance last night reminds each of us that it's never too late, IF we're willing to make the choice and take the leap like she did.

Comparing Boomers to Millenials: Perspectives on Recession Vary

The recession is an economic state, an abstract idea with very concrete realities for each and every one of us.  Each person will see this time in our history a little differently, but there will be common trends among certain groups of people.  Age is one of those groupings that will tend to influence perspectives.

How boomers experience this recession will be quite different from how millenials perceive it.  This article by Melissa Hahn explores the varied reactions people are having.  It's quite interesting.

College Grad Sues Alma Mater Because She Hasn't Found a Job

In what may be the most shocking example of selfish behavior and ignorance on the part of an individual I've seen during this recession, I give you this article from CNN.com.  A 27 year-old graduate of Monroe College is suing the school because she has not been able to gain employment since graduating.  She is suing for the full cost of her tuition (70,000 dollars) and $2,000 for pain and suffering.

According to the article, the woman believes that her 2.7 GPA and "solid attendance record" should make her worthy of getting a job with plenty of companies.  Seriously?  In an economy where people with years of experience are LOSING their jobs, you think your 2.7 and good attendance should get you a job, lady? 

This is such a great example of the entitlement that is running wild through the millennial generation.  While plenty of people in that generation do not exhibit this entitlement (since stereotypes don't apply to everyone in the group) the people that do have it seem to have it to a ridiculous degree, and that's what's getting them the stereotype.

You will get a job when you earn it.  Nothing more, nothing less.  When you have the right credentials, when you interview well, when you stand out from the other people applying for the same job, you will get that job.  If you don't, it's nobody's fault but yours.

Grads Still Adjusting to Reality After College

"In 2007 when we surveyed students, over 50 percent of the class had a job offer before graduation. This year it was 19.7 percent."
    -Edwin Koc, Research Director for the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Many college grads are still without work.  Some have given up and decided to go to graduate school to buy (no pun intended) some more time.  Others have moved past the idea of working for someone else and have started their own companies.  Plenty have moved back in with Mom and Dad.

The reality is that potential employers can now look for candidates with not only a degree, but experience, and they can offer those candidates less money than they would have offered a year or two ago.  That leaves grads with fresh degrees and little or no experience out in the cold.  Some companies are offering unpaid internships so that grads can get that experience, but many won't take them, feeling it's beneath them. 

This is one of the strangest times I've ever witnessed in my life.  Share your thoughts and experiences.

Americans Are Making Radical Job Changes in this Economy

This USA Today article shares some stories of people who have made pretty big changes in their lives during this difficult economic time.  Ed Wozniak went from being a mechanic to being a nurse.  Mary Kunka worked on Wall Street, but will now teach math at a high school.  There's always going to be good and bad things about making these kinds of significant career changes, but it just goes to show that you don't have to be locked into one career.  Even later in life you can change.  And change can be a good thing.

Can you afford to turn down a job right now?

This article fascinates me.  Some college graduates are turning down job opportunities and electing to live at home and wait tables instead. 

Recession is Creating Permanent Campers

This article from the Birmingham News explains how more and more retired folks are choosing to live life at campgrounds.  They're selling their homes, buying RVs and travel trailers, and setting up homes at state parks and campgrounds that allow permanent camping.  Fascinating!  I don't think I would have thought of that.

As the economy continues to struggle, it makes sense that the creativity and innovation needed to get through tougher times isn't just going to come from businesses and entrepreneurs.  That creativity and spirit can be displayed in lots of different ways by lots of different folks.