Friday, February 27, 2009
Layoffs: Only the Beginning
I just read a fascinating article on MSNBC, about how a layoff can be an excellent time to travel *and* learn a new career. Some of the options included yoga, cooking, diving certifications, and more, in locations all around the world.
Of course, I've been talking and singing about this for some time. The title song of my current album, "Every Day's a Holiday," is about the last time I got laid off, nearly seven years ago now.
It was one of the best opportunities of my life. I got out of a job that I was becoming increasingly irritated with, got the free time I'd been complaining about not having, managed to get my first album recorded, and for the first time truly learned how to define myself by something other than what I was getting paid to do.
And when I *did* find a job, six months down the road, I had such a full life, with music and volunteering and social activity, that I had a bit of difficulty cramming it all back into the smaller time boxes that I had available. Plus I ended up with a better job, for a better company, for more money. :)
Yes, in times of economic hardship it's important to focus on survival issues first - food, shelter, safety. But once those are covered...enjoy the abundance of free time. You'll probably be complaining about not having enough of it later.
Of course, I've been talking and singing about this for some time. The title song of my current album, "Every Day's a Holiday," is about the last time I got laid off, nearly seven years ago now.
It was one of the best opportunities of my life. I got out of a job that I was becoming increasingly irritated with, got the free time I'd been complaining about not having, managed to get my first album recorded, and for the first time truly learned how to define myself by something other than what I was getting paid to do.
And when I *did* find a job, six months down the road, I had such a full life, with music and volunteering and social activity, that I had a bit of difficulty cramming it all back into the smaller time boxes that I had available. Plus I ended up with a better job, for a better company, for more money. :)
Yes, in times of economic hardship it's important to focus on survival issues first - food, shelter, safety. But once those are covered...enjoy the abundance of free time. You'll probably be complaining about not having enough of it later.
Labels: economy, Holidays, layoffs, MSNBC, music, Vacation
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Making the best...
Here's a CNN article about how some people are making the best of our current difficult economic times.
I'm certainly amazed at the creativity that people are showing. In some ways, this feels to me like a time in which our society is undergoing tectonic shifts - the possible demise of conventional newspapers in favor of online, old business models falling by the wayside, people doing an array of things to get by rather than relying on conventional employment.
I've taken to rationing the bad news, myself. It does me no good to read about another 20,000 people laid off, and it can only make me depressed and fearful for my *own* job. I'd still rather focus on the positive as much as I can. That's why I make the music that I do.
So...what's been going good for *you* today? Your comments are welcome.
I'm certainly amazed at the creativity that people are showing. In some ways, this feels to me like a time in which our society is undergoing tectonic shifts - the possible demise of conventional newspapers in favor of online, old business models falling by the wayside, people doing an array of things to get by rather than relying on conventional employment.
I've taken to rationing the bad news, myself. It does me no good to read about another 20,000 people laid off, and it can only make me depressed and fearful for my *own* job. I'd still rather focus on the positive as much as I can. That's why I make the music that I do.
So...what's been going good for *you* today? Your comments are welcome.
Labels: CNN, economy, hope, layoffs, pink slips, recession
