"Times are always tough," my late grandmother used to say. And she was right, of course. Having survived the Second World War and Stalin, she knew a thing or two about life.
Unless you are independently wealthy, life is always tough, only sometimes it is easier to bear. You have to go to work, not always the kind you like, to make ends meet. You are at the mercy of your employer, managers, clients, banks, and the almighty state. Only sometimes is all of this less difficult to bear. These are what we call the 'happy times.' Now, it seems, the happy times are officially over for most of us. What awaits us in the coming years is not pretty, perhaps not quite the worldwide corporate fascist regime as some doomsayers like to profess, but I wouldn't bet on the return of the happy, careless days of booming economy any time soon. Or, I should say, I wouldn't bet on us being able to enjoy a relatively care-free life. The wealthy will carry on as they always do. I have not seen news of the luxury goods market in decline. Even if some of the jewelers are in trouble, at lest they are not asking for a bailout.
Unfortunately, tough times are the best times for all kinds of scumbags trying to make money off those in need of help. There is a rapidly growing market of people who will tell you how to prepare for the coming depression, recession, global warming, climate change, however they want to call it. Most of them are out there to get your money, change your mind to give them more of your money, and help themselves. Others genuinely mean well, but they are in no position to help you, because they are either repeating a few tautologies that you already know (write what you know, do what you love, no pain no gain, etc.). Most of the time they don't actually have to live by their advice. It is a rare thing to find someone who wants and can help you in tough times.
So, what can you do? I'm not here to tell you what you have to do. I can only say what has worked for me, it might work for you too.
There is no wrong way of earning a living when you need to survive and support your family. As long as what you do is legal, it's OK to do your below your qualifications.
The only thing that has never failed me when the going was rough was constant education. I like to read, listen, and learn. New skills are always a good thing to have when companies are firing people left and right. They can help your resume stand out in a sea of thousands of others or they can help you find freelance work. It used to be expensive to acquire new skills, but the Internet has lowered those costs to minimum. We have access to so much information that not using it is a silly thing to do.
Of course, finding the right information is tough. And this is where I will try to help in 2009. Here, on this blog, and during my free or inexpensive seminars. I want to stress one thing, free or inexpensive does not equal crappy quality or heavy marketing. No. When you read this blog or attend my seminars, I will not try to 'capture your attention,' 'grab your purse,' or otherwise trick you into parting with huge loads of cash. I want to earn your attention and, if you decide that what you are getting from me is worth your paying for, earn some money in exchange.
I am not independently wealthy, so I have to work just like the majority of the population on this planet. I'm going to continue doing what I've been doing for the last decade: writing books, developing software, and training others to help them in their jobs.
Have a great 2009! And come back often.
