Prospering In Today's Economy
Friday, October 31, 2008
"The times, they are a changing." Bob Dylan wrote those words more than a half century ago, but they are at least as accurate now as they were then.
"The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind." That was Bob Dylan, too, at about the same time. In today's economy, that one is more true.
We are no longer a Western economy or even an American one. We are truly connected to each other in a global way. Meteorologists tell us that the wind blowing through the California Redwoods one day is the same wind blowing across the plains of Siberia the next. So go on and get used to it. Take a big, deep breath of Siberian air. We are all in this together.
Lets go back a few years beyond Dylan. Try this, from Hamlet ...
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing ... end them."
When situations change (as they always do), the rules are sometimes changed as well. What was red one day might be green the next. What was down is up, right is left, and we can become so discouraged and confused that we are tempted to simply lie down, cry, and resign ourselves to a lifetime of slings and arrows.
Truth, on the other hand, never changes. Life's principles remain steadfast in good times and bad. Therefore, I am reminding us all that now is not the time for fear or inaction ... now is the time to "take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing ... end them."
Yes, you will need to act. But first ... think.
Prospering in today's economy will require an extraordinary examination of your personal commitment to "the truth" as it relates to your industry in general and your own business or job specifically. In dealing with clients from many different backgrounds, I have noticed that quite often, we do not make decisions according to what is true. Rather, we make decisions according to what we want to be true. Or what we wish were true. This is usually a recipe for disaster.
Remember the eleventh commandment: Thou shalt not kid thyself.
Simply put, in today's global economy, what is your value? How much are you worth? The question is worth the time you might take to get an accurate answer. Most folks are subconsciously asking the questions "How much can I get?" or "What can I persuade someone to pay me?" or "How much can I charge?" or "How much do people like me traditionally make?"
The question that will lead you to the best decisions, however, is "What is my value to this situation, to this person, to this business?"
Know this: the only people who will never fail—even in bad economic times—are the people who accurately discern their value or the value of their product and can prove that value to their customers. Yes, sometimes value is a perception, but even perceived value can be agreed upon by millions of people at once.
As an author and speaker, I am tasked with the dual responsibility of knowing the value of a specific product (a book) and of a service (a speaking engagement). To find the answers blowing in my financial wind, I need to be certain that I know the truth about my value in these areas. Can a person pay the price of The Traveler's Gift and after reading it, feel happy in the knowledge that he or she got their money's worth? Was the value there? Was what they learned and were able to apply in their life and business worth twenty dollars? If so, the books will continue to sell.
If a company pays a certain amount for me to speak or do a seminar and they can track the production and profit that occurred after I spoke, does that benefit me or is it a harbinger of bleak times to come in my career? Did they ultimately make more money with my information and direction than they paid me to speak? Was the value there? If so, I will continue to be booked.
In tough economic times, I suspect there are few corporations who can afford to have a speaker merely as entertainment or "because we've always had a speaker". Therefore, I must honestly ask the question, "What is my service worth? Am I providing value well beyond cost?"
We want to provide value in all areas of our lives. We should strive to provide value as a neighbor and friend, as a member of our church or civic organization, and to our families. I want to provide value to you. That is a primary motivation for me as I post these blogs. I must continue to show value to my wife. So far, she has stayed with me for almost twenty years and seems to be happy. So there must be value to her in our relationship beyond the vows we took. (Frankly, I am thrilled with the value Polly continues to show me!)
Obviously, in a correspondence of this sort, we are all working together. I don't know enough about your life's situation to guide the specific questions you must ask in our current economic climate. I only know that you must ask questions. Seek the truth about yourself, your products, your service... The quality of your answers can only be determined by the quality of your questions. Do you want good answers in your life? Ask good questions.
And start with this one ... How much am I worth?
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1. Tracy J Trost - October 31, 2008 @ 3:42 PM
I could not agree more. We have to realize that our value has nothing to do with what we do for a living or how much we can sell in any given day. Our value is in the fact that we are all unique precious individuals. The rarest of all rare things.
The first step to prosperity is to realize your true "business" in life has nothing to do with a product or service. It has everything to do with people. We are all in the people business. If you are a business owner or employee, you work with and meet people every day. Take care of the people and your business and personal life will prosper.
Ask yourself every day. How can I make this persons life better.
You start doing that and you will grow as an individual and as a business.
Thank you for your blog and your books. They have made my life better.
Tracy"
2. Lynn Hogeland - October 31, 2008 @ 4:15 PM
I feel that in today's world, at least from what I can see and hear, companies have become too greedy, as have people in general. Children are being raised to care only for themselves. I have been in grocery stores, malls, and restaurants having to put up with screaming kids and their wants. I am shocked at our coming election and the Congress and Senate. What is America coming to. Good grief."
3. Jared - October 31, 2008 @ 4:47 PM
I also wanted to point out, the fact that people REALLY need to learn from a "Mentor" versus an "Advisor."
When I was a former Certified Personal Trainer, I knew I couldn't train people properly, until I had undergone my own personal transformation. In actuality, only then would I know what it took to get specific results because I already accomplished what they wanted (versus what an "Advisor" does). A good quote I have that sums it up is; "Lead by example, not by instruction.""
4. Mark Owens - October 31, 2008 @ 4:53 PM
Society really never changes.Every generation looks backward and says "oh we need to get back to the days...."
The only difference is today there is more awareness of the greed and crime. More media resources and curiousity to access the dirt inside people's closets.
Don't be "shocked" that is soooo passive and counterproductive. Go help 1 person carry their groceries and the world is a better place."
5. Joshua Christensen - October 31, 2008 @ 5:14 PM
Since you started these blogs a few months ago, I was inspired to do a similar project with my database. Now, I don't do a blog (perhaps next up), but I do an email template with a story that my feedback reveals a perceived value.
I've wrestled for years on how to give value and measure value in the relationships I harbor and foster. I don't quite know how to perfect this art. You are quite the master of 'adding value' beyond expectation. Would you share in an upcoming blog some of the how's in which you do this?
Also, I've wrestled with asking the high quality questions to discover the quality answers. Can you please share how you do this?"
6. jan burch - October 31, 2008 @ 5:17 PM
jan"
7. David Miklik - October 31, 2008 @ 6:02 PM
I cannot improve upon your words, but I can ad that few truer words have been written.
I have sold recreational vehicles for 27 years in a state that manufactures many of them. Where I sell these vehicles, is in an area where the primary industry is steel manufacturing, a vocation from which, my father (now deceased), retired.
I have learned that tough times happen and when they do, we who survive them become stronger. Much the same way as the strongest steel was tempered by fire.
I learned along time ago that in sales, it is most important to put myself in the place of the customer. We call this "WHIIFM". From the customer's viewpoint, "What's In It For Me". If one is sincere and successful at discerning the costumer's needs and wants - the sale can be made, but only if true value is given.
Yea, it's rough right now. Hundreds are not strolling into the showroom. But every now and then, that buyer does. We will survive this time and we will be better for it.
Thank you again Andy for your uplifting words and all that you do."
8. Ruth Anderson - October 31, 2008 @ 7:42 PM
Thank you so very much!"
9. Joe Jackson - October 31, 2008 @ 9:13 PM
10. Samuel E Osborn - October 31, 2008 @ 9:23 PM
The worth of our time varies with the project at hand, together with the value and profitability our services add.
For me more often than not it comes down to am I passionate about being involved and adding value to a given project? Sometimes it's just fun to help a young couple with the design of an alteration to make room for their new baby.
You made reference to the tough times some of us are in now and have been for some time. I'm an architect that not only designs homes but consults with high-end developers. Over the past year and a half I have seen much pain and experienced being on the short end of failed projects. Last week I had a long discussion with an old friend that asked me "what do you say to someone who is loosing everything?" Fortunately everything is not often the most important thing. For those of faith, although still hard getting through, at least we have the understanding that all is for a purpose. (Of course it helps if you understand your purpose for being here)
Somebody once said "Success is working through one failure after another without loosing you vision.""
11. alice - October 31, 2008 @ 9:31 PM
Thanks for your very wonderful insights."
12. Phil Gotto - November 1, 2008 @ 12:41 AM
I was eating lunch today at work and thinking about the many people I have interviewed for my company and the many people who have interviewed me over the years. I was thinking about this because on Thursday I was a guest speaker at an upper division business class at Cal State Northridge. When I asked the class how many people had jobs lined up after graduation or any sort of plans at all, there were no raised hands. As I was eating my lunch it occured to me that if I could just give them one clear message to take out into the world as they sought to get started it would be the exact message that you are talking about. Figure out what makes you valuable in all areas of life. Thanks for reaffirming that my thoughts were on the right path.
Phil Gotto"
13. Don Sullivan - November 2, 2008 @ 1:59 AM
Thank you for your inspiring words. I too agree with you. The economy is as fleeting as the breeze which blows in one direction one moment, and then another one the next. Truly it is better to be built on principles than the shifting sand of popularity, wealth, or facade. Money, popularity, and fame are all momentary but TRUTH is eternal. I have spent a lot of time complaining about my situation in my work life, my financial life, and my relationships. But seeking wise counsel in "The Traveler's Gift" book and journal, Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", and the Holy Bible have helped me to understand a new thinking. If all I do is continue to complain about my place in this sparse economy and do nothing, than I will continue to go nowhere. But how much different the result, if I take responsibility for my actions and instead of complaining about circumstances, take the road less taken and decide to be a contributor to the solution. By looking into myself and making the difficult decisions, I can decide to be an asset by committing to contributing to my company, by being the best worker I can be, to my country, by being a citizen with integrity and respect for others, and to my community, by helping those who I can in my sphere of influence. If I remain faithful to God first and foremost, and then to the rest of my commitments such as my financial obligations, my family commitments, etc., than perhaps in a small way I will influence someone near me and start a wave of positive effect that will turn the tide of economic recession. Regardless of what the economy does or the world in general, we are not defined by our circumstances, not truly. We are defined by standing on right principles, not of self righteousness, but of truth. When we stand on truth, we stand on THE ROCK. It does not matter what goes on around us as the hymn tells us. . ."all else is sinking sand"."
14. Debra Baker - November 3, 2008 @ 8:45 AM
The blogs you write are very inspirational and help me get through the days at my stressful job with the strength to know I am not alone in the stress of how much people selfish behavior has change over the past few years. With God's strength is the only way many of us make it in the workplace.
But, I also wanted to emphasize how much the replies also inspire me. I have taken exerts from the replies and made copies to keep with me in my planner. (like the one above from Don Sullivan). So thank you all for your inspiration. You never know how what we share will impact someone else life."
15. Andy Andrews - November 3, 2008 @ 6:51 PM
I agree. I am all about the replies! Thank you all so much for making yourself a part of this "Think Tank".
Yours,
Andy"
16. Victor Taylor - November 3, 2008 @ 7:52 PM
I once heard you speak. Don't know what we paid to hear you, but I'm pretty sure it was worth it, because I remember a good deal of what you said - as well as having read your book.
The answer to "How much am I worth", is different than "What is my work worth". The first one, for me, is answered in some way when I look at the cross. It provides a perspective of accountability that nothing else in my life quite does.
The second is subordinate to it. I have worked at difficult jobs that paid poorly, but permitted me to care for my family - and I was grateful. I worked at easy jobs that made me ashamed of my paycheck - and in each case, moved on. I can't begin to assess if I am properly compensated, since the relationship of effort to compensation is so uneven. I am most comfortable if I can honestly say that I am contributing to something good in itself, if I am taking care of my family, if I am giving to those in need from the blessings I have received.
In your ministry, I am glad that companies think their people need to hear you. If all they could see was an immediate expense and no discernable increase in output, it could still be well worth it. In one of your stories, you touch on the life of George Washington Carver. I was so surprised to find that he was a great spiritual leader beyond his gifts as a scientist, naturalist and artist (which is more accessible in public sources). He chose where he worked as a calling to serve those who could not otherwise have afforded his gifts. He was offered lucrative work for Edison, which he declined. He personally cared for polio victims. It is possible that we don't know the extent of his work, because he did not make much public notice of it.
Our work, as a calling, is worth it. Thank you for answering your call."
17. Ed Neuman - November 4, 2008 @ 3:54 PM
Thank you and G-d bless. Ed"
18. Mike HAyden - November 10, 2008 @ 3:34 PM
Your worth is immeasurable in a world that needs all the insight and humor it can muster!
By the way, you gonna be on the East Coast (NJ) this month on Friday the 21st? Be great to have you come to dinner at this event: http://tinyurl.com/NewEarthParty
Keep on keeping on!
-Mike H."
19. Andy Andrews - November 11, 2008 @ 11:36 AM
Thanks for the invite, but I won't be on the east coast at that time. Polly and I will be celebrating our anniversary (19th) so I will be with her and the boys. 20 years!
Yours,
Andy"
20. Alice Grocholl - November 16, 2008 @ 12:05 PM
Thanks for your words of encouragement, inspiration and reflection. Now more than ever when we are surrounded with messages of negativity, doom & despair we should remember our value!
You are truly a "gift" to all of us.
Alice G."
21. Becky Flory - December 18, 2008 @ 10:13 AM
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