January 20, 2009

February 3, 2009

Happy inauguration day! I don’t remember when I’ve been so excited about a presidential inauguration. The historical significance of this one thrills me. The new president has big responsibilities on his shoulders, but I sense a new spirit of hope and optimism pervading the US right now, despite the real hardships that many people feel. We are living a paradox of economic hardship and hope for the future.

The other side of the paradox is the dismal state of the economy. Everyday, I hear or read about more layoffs, paycuts and companies that are failing. I know that most organizations are doing more with less and people are working longer hours. Yet, there are parts of the economy that are doing just fine. There is always opportunity to be found in hard times.

I was reminded of the opportunities that can be found during hard times last week while I visited Houston. I was there speaking to the local HDI chapter about Leadership with Integrity (see the list of where I’m speaking later in this newsletter). My hosts told me they survived the weeks-long power outages caused by Hurricane Ike last September by purchasing diesel generators to supply electricity to their homes. I was amazed that they could find generators to buy – I don’t recall seeing any for sale at my local hardware store. Pay attention to what my host said, “Entrepreneurial people will prosper in the midst of a disaster. Within a day or so of the hurricane, semi trailer trucks appeared at the side of roads, full of diesel generators. You could buy them right out of the trucks – for a greatly inflated price, of course.” There is opportunity in difficult times!

When life serves lemons, make lemonade. I challenge you to make lemonade in this economy!

 

Blessings,

Kristin


Related Articles

Posted by admin | Filed Under Greetings from Kristin 

Comments

Got something to say?