Ok, so with all of the media bombarding us with massive job losts, falling real estate prices, empty stores, businesses closing, the value of our 401K’s continuing to plummet and credit disappearing what are we to do?

In my opinion, stop listening and watching the media, try not reading the newspaper for a while and spend some time focusing on what YOU CAN DO.  As I used to tall my daughters, “put on your big girl panties and take some control over your life.”  Fear can and will paralyze us! 

At your job, fear can cause a lack of productivity and direction.  At home, fear can create tension and stress.  Fear is not good.  Did you know that Fear is a Noun: 1. feeling of anxiety, 2. frightening thought, 3. reverence, 4. worry . . .and Fear is a Verb: 1. be afraid, 2. feel reverence, 3. express regret?  That explains why ‘fear” conjures up the negative.  Now I am not saying that fear when appropriate can be not only good for us but necessary to survive- like being afraid when you sense someone is following you or fearing your child may get too close to a busy street.  However if fear is not managed appropriately, you may never leave your home or allow your child to play.

Take steps to be in control of your own career.  You don’t have control of your job- jobs are something that employers own.  You do have control over the work that you do, and a collection of the work that you do over time is called a career!  Be “state of the art” in whatever you do; be very clear what is “unique” about what you do; and most importantly have 200 people in your network THAT CARE ABOUT YOU.  If you work on these three elements, it will keep you too busy to be fearful!

Now get out there in your big girl panties and your big boy boxers and take back your life!!!

Doc B