The tough economy: coasting on the downturn highway.(PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT)

Regardless of what presidential candidates, housing experts, or political pundits are saying, most of us know that times are hard right now. And some of us are being directly affected. In the nonprofit sector, demand for services increases when the going gets tough. But that doesn't necessarily translate to job security for nonprofit professionals. Sometimes organizations tighten their budgets and often that means letting people go.

So how do we cope with the current economic downturn and maintain our professional sanity at the same time?

Below are some strategies you can pull out and dust off when your professional life gets unpredictable. Learning to adapt to change is an essential skill. The tools can be employed any time you feel your work situation is uncertain.

And let's face it, change has become the norm these days.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most people will be in their jobs only approximately four years. While change can be unsettling, it is also an enormous opportunity to reposition or re-educate yourself and shift directions.

Recently, an outplacement consultant said that corporations are more prone to hire people who have been through a downsizing and landed on their feet than those who have been in the same position for many years. Why? According to her, it's because businesses recognize that change is now a constant, and they are better off looking for people who are equipped to handle it and come out intact on the other side.

So whether you are considering a career change or just in a situation that feels a bit unsteady, here are some ideas for managing successfully whatever you're faced with:

* Address those things you actually have control over, like keeping your resume up to date, maintaining your professional network, or doing an inventory of your skills and talents. Ruminating on things you have no control over is a fast way to drive yourself crazy and create a lot of unnecessary anxiety. Easier said than done you say? Make a list of all those things you can impact or do, tape it to your office wall, and then focus your attention and effort on those things. It takes discipline but it is achievable.

* Stay in the moment. As cliche as it sounds, its good advice. It will keep you from doing a lot of negative forecasting, something to which some of us automatically seem to resort. Does this sound familiar? "If I lose this job/contract, I may not be able to get something else and after three months I won't have any more savings and, I won't be able to pay my bills, and, and, etc."

While it is just as likely that an outcome will be positive, most of us seem to jump automatically to the negative when attempting to predict the future. Isn't it just as likely, your situation could have a positive outcome?

Staying in the moment not only builds your energy but it helps you stay tuned in to potential opportunities. So how do you do that you ask? Every time you catch yourself heading down the road to doom and gloom, say "NO" out loud and bring your mind back to the present. Go back to #1--your list of things you have control over--take a walk, call a friend, do anything but allow yourself to drown in negative thought.

* Do pro bono or volunteer work that interests you and helps you build skills, expands your network, and can put you in a position to learn about work you're unfamiliar with. Sometimes when my business is slow, I do pro bono work at nonprofits where I might not otherwise have sought a paying contract. It has, on occasion, led to future work and always helps me enhance my knowledge and expertise.

* Give yourself a break. There are days when the anxiety or gloominess might get the best of you. Don't beat yourself up. On the contrary, treat yourself to whatever generally makes you feel better. After being downsized and trying to figure out what to do next, there are days when you just don't have the energy to present yourself best serf to potential employers or colleagues. So, don't do it. Call a friend or go for a long run or take a long nap and relish the fact that even though you are scared or down, you have the flexibility and the time to take good care of myself.

* Make a contingency plan. Even if you never have to use it, having a plan creates a sense of security. Keep your resume, your skills and your network updated and current. You don't have to go overboard; a small amount of preparation can instill a real sense of calm in uncertain times.

Faye Dresner is the founder of Dresner Consulting, LLC. Her Web site is www.dresnerconsulting.com. Her email is dresner@dresnerconsulting.com. This is reprinted with the permission of Opportunity Knocks at www.opportunityknocks.org

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