When You're Shutdown, Step It Up!

Does anyone remember the Federal Government shutdown of 1996? In January of that year, due to bad blood between Newt Gingrinch (Newty) and Bill Clinton, federal employees became pawns in a bitter dispute regarding the budget and were tossed around like stepchildren. For those who are short on memory: For nearly a month, feds were sent home to wait until a budget agreement was made.

I was one of those feds sent home. How depressing was that? Very! It was the first time in my life where I felt I had absolutely no control over my life or my destiny. Here I was, an intelligent and well-educated woman, sent home humbly, in the middle of the day by Newt and Bill. [whateva!]

As I crossed the parking lot to my then fancy Geo Metro [LOL!], I faced a sea of employees leaving adjacent buildings heading towards me: You know, the kind of crowds you see when there is a fire drill. I was stunned. Stunned even more when I accompanied a few other feds to the unemployment offices of the state government that day. Interestingly enough, no one at that office even knew that feds were 'furloughed.' While sitting at home for nearly 4 weeks, I remember feeling powerless and helpless. How could they do such a thing? Even more, I was angry. Not so much at the folks on Capitol Hill, but moreso with myself for getting comfortable with my future in someone else's hands.

It was that day where a fire built up inside me that made me promise to never get caught in a situation like this again. I didn't like the way I felt and wanted to keep it as a reminder of what it felt like to have your life wrapped up in another persons ability.

That was 1996. Fast forward 2008.

Same atmosphere, different event. The difference however is that for 12 years, my mindset changed from one of being a consumer to being a producer; to being one who creates intellectual capital rather being someone's human capital. A few years back, I read a report by Target Market news that African Americans are one of the largest consumers demographically. In other words, we are great at consumption, but not as effective at being producers. We consume more than we produce. We consume what others produce rather than produce the goods that others consume. From that day on, I decided that I wanted to be a producer of goods that others consume. That way I could have some say in all of this!

I say that to say this: Despite all of the economic turmoil and uncertainty, some things ought not change-- and that is your desire, drive and ability to create opportunities for yourself. The events taking place within the economy is another que for YOU to make up your mind and to get into DECISION-MODE. Now is the time to decide that from hereon, you are going to take control of your ability to develop and create wealth for yourself. Take it from me, everything you see and touch and utilize was developed and created by someone, and they are benefiting from it everyday.

It's time that you take the wheel and chart your course in life. Now has never been a better time to focus on what your contribution will be. It will enrich your life and sustain your spirit in the long run.