Vicki Anderson

With the reconstruction of our economy, I think an important question to ask is, “How much do we want or need?” This is in contrast to the question of “how extravagantly do we want to live?”

We have been through an era of bigger is better, but is that always the case? Some people have started small businesses after being laid off and are finding themselves happier. Many people have also downsized their homes, lifestyle, and cars in response to loss of income or retirement savings. While this has been painful, I have heard several people recently talking about making the changes permanent. Some business people have decided to keep their businesses smaller and easier to manage. Families are eating in more and finding ways to entertain at home. I heard a news story this morning about a lady who had started shopping at Walmart out of necessity, but has found that she likes shopping there because of the bargains. She said she didn’t think she would go back to the big brand stores.

It seems we might see more of a moderate approach to lifestyle yet I don’t think people are going to give up their upscale desires. I just think they will act on them less often. What are you seeing?

This morning on the Today Show Ann Curie was interviewing Bill Clinton. He had been speaking to a group of young adults about what they can do for the future and she asked him how he could be upbeat at a time when the economy is so bad. He said that anytime there is a crisis, you have to recognize there are seeds of opportunity.

I really agree with that! I have been in many situations when things looked tough, but if I looked for the opportunity instead of crying about the loss, I usually came out on the positive end eventually. The media spends so much time talking about how bad things are and are getting worse every day that we are talking ourselves into doom. Some experts say that things will get worse before they get better. However, I see some positive outcomes in that people are starting to take a realistic look at their finances and how they are living their lives. We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul forever. The bill comes due sometime. It is such a shame that so many people have strived for the American Dream and let it be about more, more, more.

I think the American Dream is about building what you want, living the life you earn, and surrounding yourself with friends and family. I don’t think there is a free ride to success. Now is the time to take a look around and find new opportunities. Just like in the book, Who Moved My Cheese, the big cheese is gone and it’s time to put our tennis shoes back on and start running again. There will be more cheese, but we have to be willing to look for it and work for it. The best companies and individuals will spend this time honing themselves so they will be prepared when the opportunity arises.