Some survive because they are in the right place at the right time, not necessarily because they are better or worthier.
As soon as we start feeling trapped and out of control, it's important to review all that we can control in our lives. For example, the poor economy might have dashed the summer vacation on the oceanfront, but still leaves room for a kayak purchase to cruise the Finger Lakes. The capacity to choose anew in the face of hard times simply puts a person in charge of her own life.
Choosing to change and create instead of blaming and bemoaning produces positive energy and results. Look at the marketing and advertising industry. If CEOs of marketing and advertising companies haven't budged from traditional and expensive paper and television advertising, they have lost their edge. Young or old, leaders now can blog and Twitter to wider audiences.
How does the business itself stay up? The business owner or executive needs to make some choices. The first step is to analyze the viability of the core business and mission. The next step is to own the challenge.
Feeling down? Make a choice.
Germaine Knapp is CEO of Sojourner House, which helps women and their families develop stable, independent and productive lives.
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