Job Loss? Could Be Worse...

I have a friend that went through something some would call a "rough patch". 

Up to that point, he had made good decisions.  While his peers were living it up, he was a little more focused.  He bought his first house at a young age... instead of a cool car.  He criss-crossed the country for the company he worked for... living in LA, Atlanta, Tampa and a few other places.  He saved his money instead of blowing it on booze, golf and season tickets to everything. 

Then one day he went into work... was summoned into the office and told that his department was being eliminated.  He had the choice of taking a months pay or going to work in a different department at a reduced pay rate.  In passing, the supervisor mentioned that they were starting an affiliate program selling the same services he had been selling... 

He had placed himself well.  He had a few months of living expenses in the bank.  He decided to take the risk... 

Three months later, after getting his first affiliate check, he walking into a Porsche dealer and bought a 911 Cabriolet.  He had enough left over to cover what he would have made at the old job in that same period... 

Now he owns several companies and makes a few million dollars a year.  He has cool cars... including a hobby race car.  He works from home... or where ever he happens to be traveling.  He is free to enjoy the things he put off before. 

He will readily admit that getting "downsized" was the best thing that ever happened to him...

Instead of crying about being downsized, he took a different path.  And he took that path during the recession of 2000/2001.  There were a few things that went into it... 

• He lived below his means
• He saved some money so that he wouldn't be a hostage if there was a bump in the road
• He didn't panic

Honestly, being an entreprenuer suits him.  He is self-motivated and resourceful.  He is also generous and smart.  He attacks his problems. 

We need more people like him.