Last night during a networking event, I was a bit rattled by a colleague who told me his business is mostly non-existent. He blamed it on the economy.
I can’t tell you who this person was, of course, but I can tell you he is a freelance communicator I’ve known for a very long time. When we talked, he said, “I know you know what I’m talking about. Because of the economy, I have no work and it’s not going to change until 2012.”
Now I know my friends refer to me as a Pollyanna or optimist because I tend to see the positive side of most everything, but I couldn’t help but be a bit silent when he was telling me this. Sure, I could get more work, but I’m thankful for what I have and for the great clients I have.
However, my close friends tell me this isn’t by luck or chance. I work hard at trying to keep my clients, constantly delivering services to them, anticipating what they need before they know it and remaining focused on their growth.
How come a bunch of us can survive in this economy while others don’t? If my client base dried up, I have bills to pay … logic says I would go out and get some kind of job.
I don’t think we can blame a lack of business on the economy. Sure, it affects various segments, but it’s up to you to decide your own destiny.
