Knowledge is power. Please do not add "or so they say". Kowledge is power. I have noticed a trend over my lifetime among people and their individual approaches to facing and solving challenges. Like it or not we can all be "pigeon holed" into certain personality traits even though we may have varying aspects to our personality.
Perhaps the most common response to the current real estate and finance situation that I have seen is for people simplyto panick and role up like an armadilo. It kind of reminds me of the super-hero in the credit card commercial who freaks out when his wife pops in and frightens him. This is not a good response unless you are being eaten by a bear or dinosaur. Then it really doesn't matter.
ANother response which is equally damaging and inappropriate is denial or "head in the sand". I recently wrote a post talking about how 2009 is going to be worse than 2007 or 2008 and most commenters agreed. There were, however, a couple of comments which obviously indicated a condition of denial.
In between the two positions is where the common person is. They (we, you) are realistic in your views of the situation and concerned about developing the proper plan of action to not only escape but to lead others through the likely even tougher times ahead.
We are not facing a blank slate even though more simple minds who voted for the president elect may assume everything will instantly change and it will be all better. Unfortunately outside of faery tales this never happens. We have a tough row to hoe and it is going to take knowledge, patience, persistence, and unity. Rare will be the person who makes it through the coming months alone.
How long will it last? Nobody knows. Even the supposedly brightest minds do not know how much worse it will get or how much longer it will last. We do all agree, however, that pockets of success will show up all around the nation and either last or fade in and out until there is somewhat of a "full recovery".
If you are doing well right now that is fantastic! Some people certainly are positioned well, have the right combination of service or product and opportunity and are at the forefront of their market. This is the time when this happens! People who were left behind previously now have the opportunity to take the lead.
The best advice I can have for anyone soaring out of the shadows and into the light is to remember where you came from, remain humble and always be honest with yourself and others.
THE OPINIONS IN THIS COMMENTARY ARE STRICTLY KEN COOK's PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT REFLECTIVE ON ACTIVE RAIN, NOVATION MORTGAGE, or ANY SPONSOR OF THIS WEBSITE.
EDUCATION BEATS LEGISLATION EVERY TIME. Get your clients, friends and family members to a LENDER RUN home mortgage seminar as soon as possible.
8 Comments on Looking for relief in 2009 but it is no blank slate
DEC
28
2008
Ken, I agree that it's going to be a very tough year for many, though there will be occasional success stories. And, while I think we've yet to hit bottom, I believe the coming year will present some unusual and as yet unidentified opportunities for those who are willing to brave the winds of change. This is a pruning, unlike we have seen in our lifetime, but it will open the way for new plants to thrive.
Barbara - we all go through stages and phases. It's when we finally wake up and stop sipping the sugary kid's drink that we start to move forward and effect positive change. Did you happen to catch Matt Heaton's blog today? "NAR's Baghdad Bob Confesses"
Mike - Thanks, I never mind sharing my soap box with people who either agree with me or offer a strong reason for me to redirect my perceptions. I agree with you.
Lane - you have the "it" so many people search for. Constantly able to motivate yourself and hit it as hard as possible. You don't wait for or vote for change ... you make change happen. It will payoff.
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Ken, I agree that it's going to be a very tough year for many, though there will be occasional success stories. And, while I think we've yet to hit bottom, I believe the coming year will present some unusual and as yet unidentified opportunities for those who are willing to brave the winds of change. This is a pruning, unlike we have seen in our lifetime, but it will open the way for new plants to thrive.