What if there’s tough times ahead? What do you do?

Well, that is going to be determined by what kind of  “tough times” we’re talking about. But let’s say that we’re talking social unrest; unrest due to a civil uprising or perhaps the government goons reaching out of their own homes and into ours causing a revolt of some kind. What would you do to try to stay stable during such times. Do you have any idea?

Let’s try these!

     1. Try to solve urgent problems.

What ‘s causing the uprising? Do you have expertise with the problem itself or with the byproducts of the problem? For example, if a company is looking to cut costs after layoffs can you provide AI services to assist? If there is a disruption in the food chain, do you have excess fish fillets (you had better if you have your own home and listen to Me for any length of time) that you can offer or sell? Or maybe it’s tax planning after tax laws change. Think about it.

     2. Stay liquid.

Cash is king as the saying goes. Those who have cash on hand for emergencies will prevail over those who have nothing. What does that mean? It means buying property from distressed sellers, it means you can buy assets and services to give you an advantage whereas others cannot.

     3. Skill Set.

What do you do that no one else does? Do you have some odd expertise? Believe it or not I’ve got a mini-drill, sewing kit for leather and vinyl, binoculars, solar panels on the way, a smartphone repair kit and things like that. Do I know what I’m doing? Helllllll no I don’t. But they are still fun skills to develop. I do it for Myself but you never know what someone else might be able to use you or your experience in some odd way that’s in demand suddenly. People break their smartphone screens routinely (You’ve heard Me bitch about Motorola et al not manufacturing the fucking phones without a screen protector already on it. Why spend $1599 on a new Samsung when it doesn’t even have a screen protector?? Ugh. So obvious.) yet few know how to fix them. I’m trying. I started an electrical fire once and I’m still waiting to get back at it. Oh, and I have a soldering iron, too! Yippee!

     4. Provide Stability.

If you  can be a dependable employee or ride when others cannot, you will find work. It doesn’t have to be logistical. Even a pastor’s work or a counselor’s work may increase at times like these. There’s nothing wrong with that. The Church is often the bedrock of stability when all else is failing as any walk through the history books will tell you. It’s fading a bit in importance now and that’s okay but never forget who and what got you to this point in time. But how can you be something similar? In what way? Creative exercises such as lateral thinking (this is what you translate a problem from one sphere (your own) and borrow the solution from another (some other industry). 

This can work wonders at times which is why everyone has heard of the technique. Why doesn’t so and so worry? How do the people in _____ solve this kind of problem? How does a grocer/taxi service/consultant/manufacturer/online website/telemarketer handle cancellations? Maybe that’s a better way to prime the pump if you were say, trying to deal with cancellations in your business. You can look to other industries or other people or even wildlife for inspiration.

Ok?

Ok.

If you’re a business you are thinking in terms of prediction. But on an individual level you are thinking in terms of behavior. The one who is most disciplined in their behavior is the one who will probably fair well.

You want to think in terms of providing services that address the change that is causing the upset IF you can do so smartly. Otherwise, network in the area where there is commotion and see what’s up.

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