As you might know, according to StatsSA, South Africa is
currently going through recession.
Many companies are tightening up their financial belts.
People are being retrenched, salaries and benefits reduced, the price of petrol
has gone up a few times, markets aren’t doing so well, our economy is currently
not at a good place. The stress of debt collection is high as most people who
had become “comfortable” living in
debt (as they could manage the payment before), are now faced with credit
collection.
In the state that the country is in right now, it is very
easy for many of us to lose hope and be depressed. It is easy to overlook the
positive and focus on the negative. The stress of survival might be high which
might cause people to react “extreme” according to their situations in order
for them and their loved ones to survive.
During this time of securing work and meeting monthly
payments, my Mother said this to me “look
at yourself, you have so much wisdom and are educated. You have the means
within yourself to turn your situation around for the better.” As much as I
agree with her, I couldn’t see that which she saw in me as I was desperate to “survive”
the recession having experienced less loss. I was once “comfortable” in debt as
I managed to meet monthly payments. I had saved and invested much but wasn’t
ready for such a wave of recession as that we are currently facing. What she
said forced me to sit down and re-look that which I was faced with from a
different perspective.
It reminded me of the story of when David faced Goliath. He
didn’t look at how huge Goliath was, he simply looked at that which he had in
his hand and The LORD he served. The man after GOD’s heart had faith and
trusted in The LORD. He wasn’t swayed left nor right by the giant but faced him
in battle (1 Samuel 17:23-54). Much like David, some of us are now faced with a
Goliath and the unfolding story is being captured. Many times when I heard the
story of David and Goliath, I wondered how I would react when faced with such a
giant. I wondered if I would be like David or Saul. Well, the story is unfolding and it is time to simply look at that which I have, to use it and trust in The LORD that I serve.
I have come across some few things to help me not only make
it through this recession, but to come out on top successful and prosperous.
Here’s a few I’d like to share with you;
- Realize that you are gifted and that
your gift isn’t conditional based on your circumstances.
As human beings, we
are created in the image of The MOST HIGH GOD, we have the capacity to change
our situations. We have the ability to shape and change our circumstances, and
not the other way around. You need only to look deep within, recognize that
which you have in your hand, make up your mind to use it and go with it.
Some people have the gift to make other people laugh. You
might not need a big stage (as yet) to start. Connect yourself with local
churches, schools, companies for a “one man show” or partner with people who
are like minded. You might be gifted as a mine worker, connect yourself with
schools and share your wisdom with children about the mines. You might be
gifted in administration, use your gift to assist small and upcoming business,
companies, churches, schools etc.
There are so many opportunities that require your gift.
Opportunities to do good and make income aren’t only available in the
workplace, they are available everywhere you are willing to open your eyes and
see them. They are ready and waiting for you to utilize them. Sometimes the
opportunities come in as a way to help/assist others. It may seem below you or
less than your previous pay check but it is something that is much better than doing nothing. In all things, seek wisdom first before you act.
- Step out of your comfort zone.
This I have found to be uneasy at times myself but once I
have started on the journey, it became fulfilling. Stepping out of one’s
comfort zone seems a bit daunting at first. Like u’Tata Nelson Mandela said “it always seems impossible, until it is done.”
There is an African proverb that says “in
order to eat the whole elephant. You must eat it, a piece at a time.” Sometimes
we think of drastic things to do in order to get out of our comfort zones when
really, it is sometimes the small steps we take added with determination that helps us see success. For example, as a
professional unemployed baker, you could enter that competition you have been
wanting to enter. Bake for stokvel gatherings, school fun days, church
festivals, start that baking company with your loved ones.
If you focus your attention on how big the elephant is and
when it is that you will finish eating it, you might not ever start enjoying
the elephant. You might leave it and others will capitalize on it. Your
achievements in life thus far might be colorful but that (in most cases when
unemployed) doesn’t help when you are hungry. The contacts you have might not
be useful and all the hard work you once did, might be forgotten by many.
Applying online everyday might be a conventional way of looking for work but
how about trying something you haven’t done before, like approaching companies/loved
ones/NGO’s/NPO’s etc for work and to physically hand in your CV?
I remember when I was without work, I volunteered my administration
skills at an NGO and a month later with them, they hired me as a full-time
employee. Some people are doing unconventional ways in order to be hired by
standing on robots (traffic lights) with a board and their CV’s in hand, ready to be employed.
That might be drastic for you but for them, it is stepping out of their comfort
zones in order to beat recession.
- Tighten up your financial belt.
Not many people that I know like to hear this but it has
saved many others from going further into debt. If big companies do it in order
to secure a future for their companies, why not you? It is difficult to tighten
up a financial belt especially when it has been loosened a few times. It makes
your whole body uncomfortable at first but the body, eventually, learns to
adapt. Instead of going out every weekend, buying lavish material things to
impress others, taking up unnecessary loans (only you know which one’s those
are) and in some instances, using your own vehicle when you can use public
transport.
Why not use that money to save or to invest in you or your loved one’s
future? I remember when I had to park my vehicle at home and use
public transport and limit places I used to travel to. It was such a difficult
decision to make but it saved me R2,200 monthly as I used to spend R3,000 on
petrol alone every month. Sure, ego takes a huge hit cause then you think about
your reputation and what people might say, but the amount of money I saved, was
worth more than my ego.
- Something old with something new?
I love learning new things, it is one of the things that excites an introvert. I plan on furthering my studies but I had
to put that on hold due to the current state of the country. I also couldn’t let
that stop me. So I decided to do something I had done when I was in school, I went
to the local community library and got started on learning. I didn’t want to
wait until the tide of the country’s financial market had turned in my favor. I
instead grabbed the bull by the horn and made lemonade of the lemons life handed
to me. I had a vision and was determined to see through no matter the state of the economy.
In that sense, why not try something old with something new and see what comes
of it? Use conventional ways to come up with unconventional ways. Mark Zuckerberg
did it by making use of the way we used to connect with others and made it
conventional (Facebook). I have gone back home often times during the recession
and I have found myself more inspired to do something new, to try again and time and again, to try it differently and that has helped me to keep going.
- Get with the right people.
Often when times like these hit, we forget who we are and
the good we are capable of. Even when people remind us, because we are so
focused on the negatives and when everything will “go back to where it was like
once”. I remember walking to my apartment and was accompanied by an old man who said to me that the “dompas” years were better than the times we
are in now, as people had work. I thought to myself, never allow yourself to
look back at where GOD removed you from. No matter the circumstances you find
yourself in. It is easy to look at something so horrible as “good” because of
where your attention is focused on and the people you surround yourself with.
Also at times you could find yourself with the upcoming movers
and shakers and be intimidated by them. I once spoke to a loved one and
suggested that when the tide turns around in the country’s favor, that I would
invest financially in their company as I couldn’t recognize how else I would be
able to assist. I was intimidated by them and the journey they were on as I
couldn’t see how I could possibly assist with anything else but money. I was
then reminded that I had so much more to offer than money. I have skills and
gifts that they required more than money at that time. So I offered my strong
administration gift and that has opened more doors for me and them that I could ever imagine.
Often times we might not have anything to offer the upcoming
movers and shakers at that time but I have realized that if you stick around them long
enough. An opportunity will present itself and they will look to you to assist
them. Sometimes you have to be consistent with showing up 😊
My brother once said to me: “often what you are going
through, a lot of people have gone through it and some, could be currently
going through it”. You are not alone and you are not the only person going
through it. Many have gone through it and not only survived, but prospered
through it. Many people and companies have succeeded during recession
like Ford and Intel:
Ford (NYSE:
F)
“Just years ago, Ford was in deep
financial trouble, along with the entire American car industry. Plagued by
recalls, safety issues and lagging sales, Ford was looking like it was on its
way out - until CEO Alan Mulally took over. It took three years of losses, rigorous
cuts in jobs and costs, but Ford is now posting a $2.7 billion net income for 2009,
and recently announced 2010 second quarter profits for April through June of
$2.6 billion.” The company expects to end 2011 with less debt than cash - quite a turnaround in just a
few years. A complete overhaul, eliminating models from its line, cutting costs
and revamping its image got Ford back into the game at a time when recovery is
toughest. (
Henry
Ford: Industry Mogul And Industrial Innovator.)
The key is to keep
moving, be consistent, be patient and you will come across the right
opportunity. Do not ever give up no matter the circumstances. The tide will
turn around again and it is better that it finds you ready, than having given
up to only start again.
Look towards the future with a positive outlook and know,
that “it is not
over yet.”
