Chin Up, or at Least Keep Your Head Above Water: Staying Positive and Finding Employment During Recession

Every morning, I look through my inbox to find more depressing news about the economy. Employment numbers just keep getting worse and it seems impossible these days to avoid the bad news.

But – as “The Renegade Writer” points out – no one wants to pay a writer who is mired in gloom and doom. I would suggest that everyone could benefit from her suggestion, and put themselves on a “news diet,” at least until the negativity wears off a little. Granted, I can’t afford to completely stick my head in the sand, and neither can you. But there’s no need to dwell on the bad news to the extent that you’re up late at night watching the non-stop horror film fest that financial news networks have become.

So, what can we do to stay positive in this time of fiscal upheaval? Between inquiring about scooter prices and trying to make public transportation time tables work for you, take a look at these great suggestions from Robert Scoble, on how to handle unemployment during recession. Even if you’re not presently laid off, I think it’s good career advice to take many of these steps right now.  Particularly: don’t get lazy, and do things that will get you recognized. Unless every waking moment of your life is taken up by your present job, chances are there’s something you could be doing to put you on a more secure career footing, whatever the economy brings your way. I don’t say that lightly, I know what it’s like to have family and work demands tugging at your heals. Ultimately, though, your family and employer can only benefit. Crisis time is here. Put the dishes/lawnmower/remote aside, cancel some of the kid’s extracurriculars, and get down to the business of making sure your family has a Plan B.

Speaking of Plan B… Take a look at some recession-proof job suggestions, from Payscale.com.