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11 Great Things to Do In a Down Economy

  1. Make new connections. Invite someone interesting to coffee. Find a networking event that resonates with you. Create your own gathering. Get on Twitter
  2. Strengthen old connections. Make a list of the people you enjoy. Send a note. Plan a date. Say a kind word.
  3. Improve yourself. Learn a new craft or language, using free resources on the Internet or your local library. Subscribe to blogs on topics of interest. Develop mastery in an area you already know something about. Work on fitness.
  4. Take stock of what you have. Know what you have in terms of tangible and intangible assets–material goods, relationships, financial assets, skills, talents, experiences. Butterfly and flower
  5. Develop a practice of gratitude. Click here for ideas on how to do this. 
  6. Quiet your mind. Learn how to meditate or relax so that you can live in the present, not the future or the past. All we have is now. Recommended book: Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
  7. Streamline your lifestyle. What would happen if you fulfilled only your needs instead of your wants? Intentionally focus on the essential few rather than the distracting many and see what happens. 
  8. Clear out clutter. Fix broken fences. File stacks of papers. Let go of old stories that no longer serve you.                                                          Photo by aussiegall
  9. Implement a wild idea. Do it, just to see what happens.
  10. Feed your imagination. Draw with pastels/crayons/markers. Create a collage. Read some off-the-wall blogs. Rent a movie that you consider unconventional.
  11. Look for the opportunity in the current situation, instead of what is lacking. Even in a down economy, there are things that people are willing to invest in if it will eliminate pain, reduce fear, or increase their comfort level.

Those who will thrive in hard times are those who make the most of what they have, develop the best physical, mental and emotional states to create from, and unleash their imagination and passion. These are the individuals for which opportunity comes knocking, independent of economic conditions.

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  1. Dora on January 18, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    Oh wow, this is a great list. Esp. for someone who is poor and unemployed and thus have all the tendencies to feeling down and out! I should make note of this and stick it on my wall somewhere!

  2. Carol Ross on January 19, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    Thanks, Dora, for stopping by. While you may be feeling poor financially (and yes, we all have to eat and pay the rent), we are each rich in talent, experiences, and imagination. Focus on tapping into that and see what happens!

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