Ignoring for the moment the somewhat unremarkable title of this peice, I feel it is worth writing a few words on what is, according to received opinion, extraordinarily difficult times.
I have always been inclined to reinvent myself from time-to-time (just speak to my poor wife about the implications my philosophy), and this past couple of years have been no exception.
Sitting on the train back from London this afternoon it ocurred to me that this may be the first time in my life where this quality is not only useful, but absolutely essential. Sure, I have had to be creative with my approach to maintaining a steady income at times (and sometimes any income at all) and I have personally needed to change my position on things to keep myself from stagnating. But never has it been more important than during these frankly ridiculous times.
Still ringing in my ears are those words of my parents' generation "... there is always work out there for those who want it." This I recall in particular from a time when I worked on the docks at Mistley Quay (Essex). A time of 80s recession and extremely hard work, when you could get it. Standing at the gates to the quay with fingers crossed that the steward would pick me from the croud. Often, thank goodness, he did and in no small part thanks to my work ethic and determination. I digress slightly, but the tone is set for the point of this article.
Not very long after those grubby days, I visited my local college to find out how I might learn something which would help me better guarantee a steady income ...
Some years, a BSc degree and a successful career as a software engineer, technical director and entrepreneur later, I found myself psychologically cup-in-hand outside the gates of Mistley Quay once again, trying to find a means to provide for my family. All as a result of the new, much stronger-than-last recession.
In November 2007 I took the decision to sell House Electronic Ltd, a successful business I started a few years earlier. Sales were in abrupt decline and my once profitable business was looking less and less viable. We didn't make any money during the process of letting go our business, but the experience I gained, as well as increased resillience, no amount of money can buy (as many found to their cost during the dot-com bust).
A message to everyone troubled by the economic climate: be prepared to take a step back in your otherwise illustrious career and, especially be prepared to reinvent yourself.
It is not so much that there is work out there for those who want it, but more that there is work out there for those with the will to create it. We are all in charge of our own future, but we are especially in control of our own present. We certainly have no control over the past! Life does not stand still, even during a deep recession, and there are still many opportunities. One just has to be creative in their attitude.
Remember that what ever you may have been able to call yourself in your recent career you are still, just maybe not necessarily acting as such at this moment. A personnel manager with proper experience is still a personnel manager, a top sales executive still a top sales executive, a department head still just that ... no matter what they find they are doing now. Don't be afraid to become something altogether different or to be again something that is only a part of what you became.
Up your's Mr. Brown and good night Darling!
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my thoughts. I hope you find them useful and interesting. Oh, and a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Karl Littardi
Karl Littardi has returned to his software engineering past and now creates iPhone Apps for himself and several clients in the digital media industry.
