When the Boat’s Too Heavy, Throw Something Overboard!

I help recently unemployed individuals with job search and resume revision, so I try to keep up on what’s happening. There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the press. Some with merit, some not. I glean what I can and blow away the rest.

Interesting to see the trend that this recession isn’t necessarily following trends of those in the past. One article from this morning’s WSJ discussed that many jobs became unnecessary over the years, but still existed in a good economy (i.e. receptionists, many administrative positions, some finance industry "extras"). Many are gone or in the process of being eliminated due to budgetary constraints. Some are replaced with technology; some are just not being replaced as they were duplication of efforts in the first place. Some are being outsourced to other countries. Other positions are seeing a dramatic reduction in salary, (honestly, bringing them back into the realm of reasonable... I'm waiting for the day professional sports salaries "get real.")

So, if people are in the position where they can’t do what they used to do or if they can, it’s not for the same wage, what next?

It may sound elementary, but if you’re in a leaking, sinking boat with all your possessions, the logical thing would be to start throwing some things overboard. There are precious few of us who are at a “bare bones” place right now. Redefining “necessity” is a healthy exercise. It’s so easy to misinterpret the “nice to have” for the “need to have.”

If you don’t have a goal of living within your means, then you may as well stop reading now and go charge a $7 cup of coffee at Starbucks, and for kicks, add a $4 bagel because you “deserve” it. All others read on.

Try listing all your expenses, and if appropriate, your spending “habits” as well. (These things often get omitted from the true budget but seem to eat it alive!) Then, honestly ask yourself what the consequences would be if you eliminated that expense. Some may be dire consequences. A diabetic throwing the insulin overboard - not a good move. Some things may be removed temporarily with a date or event given for when they may return (i.e. “by summer” or “after first full month of employment”)

After you have the “necessities” in the budget, look at what’s in your control to reduce them. Can you trade services for anything? Can you get a discount on anything? Consolidate or bundle your telecoms? Is eliminating a car feasible? Can you change where you shop?

This takes practice. You must stop and think - Does the consequence of affording the service/item outweigh the consequence of eliminating (or reducing) it?

The bigger challenge – Decide how you will reframe your idea of abundance to match your goal of living within your means.

If you’d like to discuss this exercise, write to me at Julie@julzoflife.com or comment below.

Inventory

I don’t mind admitting that 2008 and 2009 were not easy. There were plenty of blessing to count, but to be honest, some days it was really tough to name them.

I’d love to report that my business is booming. I’d love to report that I’ve finished my book on creating valuable habits and that it’s flying out of stores everywhere. I’d love to tell you that folks are stacked a mile high eager to receive coaching and transform their desires to reality. I’d love to report a full schedule of overbooked teleclasses. I’d love to report that those same people are sitting in such abundance that investing in their personal growth in this way is as easy a decision as buying a pack of gum.

Alas, that is not my report.

What I will report is that I am employed. I am in the black. I am healthy (albeit a tad nuts some days). I am moving forward. I am dreaming old and new dreams. I am exercising. I am paying it forward. I am doing what I can to help others get through. I am continuing to be creative with solutions. I am letting go of that which I cannot control.

I take this inventory for my own benefit, but also to help you sort your own losses and blessings. Begin with your losses. Finish with your blessings. See what comes up.

If you’d like to discuss it, write to me. Julie@julzoflife.com

Happy 2010. Make it great.