Making Lemonade
Yeah, times are tough. Yeah, I know you’ve heard it a million times, just like I have. I feel like the last four months, I’ve woken up to NPR telling me some piece of grim financial news before I’m even out of bed. But don’t despair. There are some ways you can make the best of these rough financial times. It starts with putting a positive spin on whatever negative is being thrown at you.
My family members call me Pollyanna all the time because I’m always making the best out of something not so great. I got in a little fender bender and had my car in the shop for a week. I took it as a chance to rent the car I’ve been considering buying to take it for an extended test drive. My mail carrier seemed to skip my house for a week on end right after Christmas. While my wife seemed to think it was a conspiracy on behalf of our letter carrier, I just took it as a blessing to not have any bills.
And when I was out of work, I took it as the chance to network and open my own business. Don’t get me wrong - times were tight. Back in a rental apartment, we relied on rabbit ears instead of cable, ate soup for most meals because it could be stretched with extra water and free crackers, and lots of biking to save the gas. A friend even let me put my cell phone on his family plan to save money there. And since no one was hiring, I spent a few hours a day in front of my computer looking at home businesses and deciding what to do. That’s when it hit me to start a blog like this.
In addition to making my own work, I was going out for an afternoon walk to keep my spirits up. I would stop and talk to neighbors, read the newspaper for free at the library, and pet the dogs at the park. That’s how I met the man who would ultimately hire me in my current job. He was out getting a cup of coffee where I had stopped in to peruse the magazine covers (a free way to keep up on current events). We got to talking, and eventually I steered the conversation to my needing a job. He had just had a college kid quit on him that morning. The pay wasn’t great - way less than I had been making at my previous position - but it was something, and it was in my field at the time.
I’ve since moved on to other jobs, and now working at home full time. The point is that I didn’t stay home and wallow in my pajamas. I got up every day at 7 a.m., showered and shaved, dressed and ate, and then got to the business of finding a business. I met and talked with people, let friends and family know I was looking for a job, and kept my brain in business mode.
And since you are here reading this, I would guess that you may be in the same position. Out of work and looking for some way to bring in some cash. And I have this to say to you - - you’re doing the right thing! You’re reading and learning, searching and trying. I’ve written about a lot of great home business ideas and opportunities, but it starts with you doing something to make your life better. Don’t fear failing - fear not trying at all.
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