Forget the economy - get your life back under control
The nature of the current world-wide economic situation is alarming, and most of us have little or no control over how it continues to unfold.
It is of no comfort to younger people to know that this has happened before, and it will happen again, in some shape or form – that pendulum swings are inherent in the capitalist system. In my own working lifetime there have been at least 6 recessions, credit squeezes, market corrections or whatever name the economists give for situations where we fear for our jobs, our savings and our lifestyles.
And a couple of times I lost my job, so I know how frightening it feels to lose control over your financial situation. But we must face our fears and control our emotions, to make the rational decisions that will be needed in the months ahead.
So, as an older person who has done 6 rounds with an unforgiving economy, I offer the following hints to take back some of that control. To come out of this as a better person, you will need to manipulate you finances but you will also need some mental preparation for unexpected challenges. These hints will help you.
w Be grateful for what you have. It will keep you grounded to acknowledge that half the world’s population will never have the basic freedoms you enjoy and take for granted.
w Accept that you may have to sell things you love, to keep other things you love even more. In a worst-case scenario, what couldn’t you be without? Make a serious list –“what I must have – what I can do without”.
w Identify the 4 most important things in your life. If you said “health, family, relationships and spirituality”, you’re already way ahead. And notice that possessions didn’t rate.
w Forget about the current situation and create a “vision” board – where do you want to be in 5 years time? Get it up on a wall where you can see it every day – you living
your dream. Then spend 5 or 10 minutes in quiet contemplation, imagining you in the dream, as if it has already happened.
w Look for something new and positive every day – it can be as simple as the smile of a child, or a beautiful sunset. It will lift you above the economic gloom.
w Watch your thoughts – they have the power of a runaway train! Each time you find yourself thinking too long about the negative state of the economy, stop it! Think about something fun, find something to laugh about, talk to someone who makes you smile.
If you work consistently and diligently on these techniques, you will find yourself gaining back some control over your situation – and if your circumstances take a nose-dive, recognise it is only temporary. You will recover and rebuild, as a stronger person, but only if you treat it as a challenge, and not a disaster.
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