Being Yourself in an Economic Downturn By Jane Malik, M.A. It may be deemed a recession but for many, it is a full-on depression. As I write, I have four incredibly qualified, good friends without work, and one who just landed a project after seven months on the beach. (My problem with the “beach” is that the trip often catches you off-guard, without your “sunscreen.”) “She died of too many options” are the words I’ve always envisioned on my tombstone. Resulting from all those years when I was hesitant to accept a long-term contract because a ‘better’ one was just around the corner, in a ‘better’ city, with a ‘better’ company, or at a ‘better’ rate. Maybe one with international travel, or special certifications attached. Some of us grew very fond of change and learned to find comfort in ambiguity. We always expected the plan to change, the schedule to move, and the project to morph. We learned to test our mettle against the unknown. There’s a rush. “Hey, can you finish this module on bone marrow donation? Frank’s out for the week skiing.” “Sure. Give me a SME.” “By the way, how’s your Italian?” And the stories about it confounded our FTE colleagues, “Are you kidding? That manager would have been fired if she worked here!” And our families wondered why our careers were so nonsensical. (Well, not my family.  When I told my brother I was working in systems storage, he thought I was a cabinet maker.) If you are an ERP consultant, you may have had similar experiences. And, as vexing and exhilarating as they might have been, projects have changed. There is less time, less money, and it seems, less room for that kind of frenetic creativity. There is still chaos in the workplace, and while the unknown still beckons, companies are spending less to know it. Those three or four ‘better’ projects have been shelved until the economy improves and the light of profitability shines once more. Wherever you are, in the office or on the beach, you are likely more concerned about the future than you have ever been.  You’ve become more cautious. More frugal.  You’ve cut out the pricier distractions that were once necessities. You are now tasked with living within your own skin. You have to hang on to a sense of self that may not be reflected in your work, especially if your work is just ‘paying the bills.’ And if you aren’t working, you have to remain engaged, and strive to remove self-doubt from the picture. One way to help restore faith in yourself is review of what you have done. Look at every project you have worked on, every successful undertaking. Think about what you did well, and imagine how you could have done even better. Then imagine working on the best possible project, and what you would do to ensure your success and that of your team and client. Envision the accomplishment. Imagine the congratulations. Revel in the achievement. This is visualization in action. Reviewing your successes and imagining more. These mental exercises have been shown to improve your chances of doing what you want to do, and doing it better. And then, think about how you can prepare now. For example, if there is a book you can read that will enhance your understanding of project management, or meeting facilitation, or non-verbal communication, read it. If you can take a free webinar about a process development system, take it. Think about things that you want to understand better -- there must be something you’re curious about.  Even if it’s not directly related to your work, indulge your curiosity. While things are slow, take time to stock up on your self-confidence. As Louis Pasteur said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” And you don’t want to be unprepared, do you? Jane Malik has been an ERP consultant since 1994.