Archive for February, 2009
Which cover do you like?
February 15th, 2009
Okay, we are trying to figure out which cover is best. I’ve got a few changes planned, but these are the four finalists. Send your thoughts to me at fgermer@gmail.com. I need all the help I can get!
Cover 1 Cover 2
Cover 3 Cover 4
I used to have a life. Now, I have Facebook, Twitter and Linked In.
February 14th, 2009
In the last month, I have noticed that I am spending more time interacting with my computer than with human beings. I sit in the middle of my family with my laptop set to Facebook or Twitter.
proposition the movie download
I am connecting and reconnecting with others, but the cost is too high. I am putting the most valuable connection on time-delay. “Just let me finish this real quick,” I heard myself saying.
Twitter first, you second. Facebook now, you later. Link-in to the e-friend, lose the link to reality. That is not good enough for people I love and it is not good enough for me. My life has always been one of adventure and engagement. This machine — I don’t care how it links me in to others — is compromising the most important links I have. I have been on the road all week and am more than 250 e-mails behind. People are writing me, asking why I haven’t written.
Fifteen years ago, I didn’t have any of this. I exercised more, went out more, saw people and even used the telephone to catch up. Now, I have this. It is not a worthy trade.
I will do my Facebook and my Twitter. I’ll stay Linked-in. But I’m going to opt out more. I know I have an Internet addiction. Do you?
Fawn Germer is the best-selling author of four books, including one that was featured on Oprah. Her next book, Finding the UP in the Downturn, will be released in March. She speaks internationally on leadership issues.
Why I didn't sleep last night
February 12th, 2009
I’m going to go long today. Hang with me.
If you know me at all, you know I am a endless optimist. I believe that things happen for a reason and everything works out in the end. I believe that you can see light when it is dark and that there is joy even when there is sadness and…
Right now, I am shaken. I had a very disturbing e-mail exchange yesterday with a woman I have worked with in the past who is an accomplished, respected consultant. This was the first round:
“I am trying to survive the challenges of the worst year of my life. I am the poster child for Obama’s economic recovery: downsized in July, unemployed for seven months, no unemployment benefits, no medical insurance, no money, at risk to lose my home of eighteen years. I work two part-time, minimum wage jobs (both of which I actually enjoy) because I can’t find gainful employment in my field and haven’t had enough consulting work to keep me afloat. My husband is in real estate – a story too bleak to repeat.
“We prop each other up emotionally, take great pride in our daughter’s accomplishments as a freshman in college, live life one day at a time, and try to feed our souls with various creative pursuits … Anyway, life goes on and you realize that you’re not your job, your title, your latest press release, your money, your clothes or many of the other characteristics we use to define ourselves. You lose enough ‘stuff’ and you realize that you now have the clearing to reinvent yourself. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
My response:
“I truly think that this chaos is happening so we re-evaluate what really matters and is important. The good thing is that we know we will never starve. We all have each other. And life has shown us that we have to trust the universe. Whatever bad we go through now will lead us to the next step and the next. I think we need to have faith that we will wind up going where we are supposed to go. But, I do know it is hard having faith when everything is so rough. These are dark times when we really see the beauty of family, our pets, nature, our memories, our faith. It’s either good or it is bad. I choose good. I think we will find out how strong and shrewd we are. I had an event in Chicago last night where I looked at all those women and said, ‘Our mamas didn’t raise us to be sissies.’ We will get through it. We got through last year, we will get through this year. Hang in there, sweet woman.”
She wrote back:
“Philosophically, I happen to agree with you. And all those little platitudes and truisms usually get me through the dark soul of the night. But it’s also hard for me to look out into some of those audiences, most of whom still have very privileged problems, when they have not got a clue what it is to be me right now. People think they know what hard feels like, but it’s been 30, 40, 50 years since their bank account only had $10 in it and they didn’t know where the next $10 was coming from. I’ve been working since I was 15 and never found myself in this situation before where neither I nor my husband have an income, haven’t had one for months, and there’s no reserve left. I used my last money to pay my daughter’s tuition and medical insurance and when that runs out, I don’t know what we more we can do for her either. My car will be repossessed next month and I guess I’ll pretend to be Abe Lincoln, walking six miles to work-my humble part-time minimum wage job. I worry when my daughter calls from school that she’s going to be calling for money and I won’t be able to send her any. As for starvation, I’ve actually lost 8 lbs. Not that that’s a bad thing, mind you. But it’s a function of anxiety and let’s face it, how many PB&J’s can one person eat? And chicken soup for the soul only goes so far. Be well. Keep the faith.”
I have had at least 30 friends, relatives and acquaintances lose their jobs in the last few months, and I feel guilty when I start feeling down because of the cumulative weight of their bad news is so heavy. It is hard to hear it — but imagine living it.
This woman’s e-mails were harder to digest than anything I have heard or read in this crisis because I know her professional caliber and see so much of myself in her, and vice-versa. If this could happen to her…
I’ve started sending her resume around. If you know anyone who can use a marketing /communications expert, event planner or project manager, let me know asap at fawn@fawngermer.com . If you don’t, ask around. Or, at least, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. It’s 2009 and it is going to be a long, bumpy ride.
These are the good old days. Hang in there.
February 11th, 2009
When I was in my late 30s, I lamented how time was flying too quickly. One of my friends — who was in his fifties — told me that it would only fly faster.
“Your forties only last about fifteen minutes,” he said.
He was so right. I just turned 40 a day or two ago, and now I am 48. How did this happen?
The point is, next year I will be 49. The year after that, I will be 50. It doesn’t matter how good or bad times are, I am going to get older every single day. I had better enjoy these times, regardless.
It is so easy to fall into a depressive funk because times are so very, very hard . But, put a little joy in your days. You will never be this young again. How many years are you going to sacrifice to worry, struggle and fear? There is no question that these are not the best of times if you look at people’s bank accounts or credit ratings. Plans for long-term security have been shot. I know that some of you are wondering how you will make your bills this month, but have faith. You will get through this. You will. One day at a time, you will make it.
But, are you going to endure these tough years or are you going to live them? Because you get one chance at this life.
How can you find happiness when you feel like you are being pulled under? Remember the things that you love most. Your family. Your pets. The beach or the mountains, art or music — whatever it is that brings you joy in good times can bring you joy when things are hard. Take some time to write down a list of the ten best things in your life that are free, and use that list to help you find love and joy and life — no matter what else might be going wrong.
I’ve got my list: 1. God 2. Family 3. My dogs and cats 4. Friends 5. Kayaking in the Gulf 6. Walking in Clearwater and Dunedin 7. Writing 8. Sunsets over the Gulf 9. Cycling anywhere 10. Taking pictures
Whenever I start to see the darkness, I think about all the ways my life is blessed — and it is so blessed.
Take a minute to think of the things that bring you joy, and keep that list close. It is the difference between living and enduring.
Fawn Germer is the best-selling author of four books. Her fifth book, “Finding the UP in the Downturn,” will be released in March.
Getting a job in 2009? Here are a few tips…
February 10th, 2009
I just had lunch with two senior executives from different companies. One has a mid-level position to fill, and she asked the other one if he knew anybody she should interview.
“It’s not what you know, but who.” You know why that is a cliche? BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. I asked both of these people whether they post openings on Monster.com or the other online job search resources and both said no. NEVER.
“I don’t want 8,000 resumes from people who aren’t qualified,” said the one with the job opening.
“I am sick of getting applications from people who won’t even take the time to write a cover letter,” said the other.
Instead, they ask each other and they ask their peers. You might wonder how you will be able to get yourself a job if you don’t already have the right people in your network and the answer is this: Go make some new friends. It is not hard to network. Most people are good people and they like to help others. So, you have a few options. Join groups where people of influence are in attendance. Attend events where they may be mingling and do the proper schmoozing and follow-up. Or, write them good letters (do not send your resume) asking for 15-minute appointments where you can stop by, introduce yourself and pick their brain on what you might do to find work in this climate.
The truth is, there are jobs out there. Not many, but there are some. Do not let yourself get lost in the pile of disregarded resumes and applications. Find your way into the contact lists of people who can help you to get where you need to go.
If you are attending a party, try to know in advance who will be attending. If you are uncomfortable talking to strangers, do a little research and find some background information on subjects you might discuss together. Ask if you might schedule a lunch appointment.
Regardless, follow through. Maintain an occasional e-mail relationship and turn that acquaintance into an alliance.
If you need to know the right people, get to know them.
Fawn Germer is the bestselling author of four books. Her fifth book, “Finding the UP in the Downturn” will be published in March.
Brainstorming with friends
February 6th, 2009
I went out with three of my favorite people last night. We brought note pads. I’m going out tonight, too. Same deal. We are focusing on expanding our businesses at a time when others are giving up. We are doing something we could have been doing all along — bringing our individual strengths to the table and sharing what we know so we can achieve at a higher level.
We hooked up at 7:30 and I was astonished that, when I got in the car to leave, the clock said it was 11:24 p.m. I’ll admit that a part of that time was spent laughing and telling stories, but all of us clarified our goals and objectives a bit, too.
How cool is that? Tonight, I’ll be brainstorming the execution of my marketing plan with someone who could sell sand in the desert.
My friends have always been such a great source of entertainment and support, but now I am getting us to put our brains together so we can be even more successful.
Are you doing that? Or are you meeting with your friends to commiserate about how bad things are? Keep it positive. There is so much that you can do to grow your success at a time like this. Be creative. Bring together the collective energy of the people you know and you will be surprised by how much they will help you and how much fun you will have.
Fawn Germer is the bestselling author of four books and one of the nation’s most popular leadership keynote speakers. Her fifth book, “Finding the UP in the Downturn” will be released in March.
Fawn says: It's 2009. Quit complaining about work because, at least you have a job!
February 5th, 2009
This note came in my e-mail from an executive who recently hired me for a speech:
step brothers online “I’m mentoring someone who thinks her boss is stupid. He was brought in from outside. No more experience than her but really well connected and respected by our leadership.My take is she is sabotaging her career. Carrying around the burden of not respecting him or his position or his leadership and management. Focusing on the inequity of it. Carry it around in her attitude, her facial expressions and tone. She’s got a chip on her shoulder and it’s impacting her career in an immediate and detrimental way. It’s consuming so much energy to hang on to it and I’m trying to help her find tools to “give it up”. It is what is is, deal with it. Can you recommend a technique or a reading? I’m struggling to find a method that “fits” with her.”
My response: “Here is what I think you should tell her: “WAKE UP. It is 2009 and nobody has the luxury of a negative attitude in the workplace. NOBODY. You can always find one or two good traits in anybody, and focus on those instead of letting your anger and negativity backfire on you and hurt YOUR career. That is what I think. This economy demands a complete new set of behavioral rules from workers.”
I have done my time in corporate environments. I’ve seen undeserving people promoted above me and deserving people cast aside by incompetents. I know how that can destroy morale and make a person angry. Those things did affect me. But, we are working in an environment where we are being judged every day on the positive contribution we make to our workplace.
What have we seen after all of these millions of layoffs? That NO ONE is indispensable. If cuts are coming, who are they going to nail? Hopefully, the least competent. You will always get points for being a major contributor, but if you are a major pain in the arse at the same time, you will see just how expendable you really are. If you are working for someone you don’t respect, you can either find a new place to work for people you do respect (good luck in this market) or you can find a way to make peace with the situation.
My point is that this is NOT the time to be complaining about your job or your boss. You’ve got work? You are lucky. Kiss that paycheck every time you get it and hold tight until things settle down. There will be plenty of time to vent later. Right now, GET TO WORK!
Fawn Germer is the bestselling author of four books and one of America’s premier corporate leadership speakers. Her fifth book, “Finding the UP in the Downturn” will be released in March.”
It's not as if ol' Fawn Germer's been slackin' off…
February 4th, 2009
Sorry I am so behind on the blog. I finished my book last Friday and now am dealing with editors, designers and marketing people. It may sound chaotic, but it is so much fun. I seriously can’t believe I get to have this kind of a fun career. I will resume posting soon, but want to let you see a couple of the photos that we are considering for the cover. And the photo of the team getting me all gussied up. The photographer is incredible Lisa Presnail of South Tampa Photography. You can reach her at
727.871.2444
lisa@southtampaphotography.com 
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