Writing Prompt

 To recreate we start with...

Life is 

Scary side of Business in Covid-land

Starting a business at age 60 is risky but what the heck! Let's go for it....
No joke, it was a struggle. Slow slow start, working to bring people in and have happy customers at our little art studio. Very slow take off, barely to cruise... and then...

COVID-19 smacks us right between the eyes. Closed down for 2 full months. No money in and still money goes out to maintain our space. Our savings is draining away. We are constantly asking if we should throw in the towel or keep fighting. There are no answers. Covid-land doesn't let us see through to the other side.  It's not like a hurricane where you take the hit, clean it up and move on. Some say this could last another year. Can we?

So, how to keep from spiraling down into a deep funk? I concentrate on the things I can control.
We're open again but business is super slow. We are not making our rent. We applied for a grant and got it. Okay, this month we're paying rent. Worry about next month then. I often go from freaking out, to crying, to anger. When I walk the dog I talk to myself. It helps me work through the myriad of feelings coursing through me every day. Then I recite a mantra of wishes but I speak as if they're all ready here. I learned that from the Law of Attraction. It's part of my plan to retain my sanity during crazyland.

In the mean time we're trying to come up with ways our customers can get the same great experience we offer in our art studio at home. Don't want to risk going out? Let me see what I can do for you. (and make $$ to pay the bills)

It's a daily struggle. When I'm ready to splash down into a puddle of misery I stop and think, "What else is out there? What else can I do to bring $$ in?"

Luckily I know a great group of business owners who brainstorm together. Are all our ideas great? No, but some have possibilities. Success will come. I will it to happen.  We all know, Success comes but it has to find you working.

I think of that fish, Dori; Keep on Swimming, Keep on Swimming....

Hello Unemployed Life

After almost 4 years with a company, I've been laid off. Not a surprise. I had watched them laying people off, firing some, and crying about money. I was the recruiter and who needs a recruiter when they're cutting staff?

So, now I'm looking at other jobs/careers and checking out the possibilities. I think of my strengths and where I want to be in five years. I want to be in  a place where I'm challenged, kept busy, and maybe discover new things. I want a job where I believed in the vision of the owners. That they were good and honest people and wanted the best for their employees.

The place I left had been failing in more ways than one. They played favorites, showed disregard for the feelings of their employees, talked a good show, but didn't follow through. There were lies. I hate lies. It made me extremely uncomfortable and went against my moral code. Management told me to lie and forget about it. Shameful. Being laid off wasn't the worst. It freed me from the crazy little liars and hopefully stopped me from being dragged down to their level. I think when your bosses ask you to lie for them, its a major warning sign.

So, now I shop for a job. Find a place where I can do good things. That's what I want. to do good things and make people happy. Is that so much to ask?

Young Bosses

As we move through life, sooner or later there comes a time when we out age our bosses. Mine is almost 20 years younger. Although there is a broad range of ages in my work place, half the people I work with could be my kids and sometimes its hard not to protect them as if they were my own. I see bright and energetic young women who are working hard to succeed.

Then I see some managers who treat these young women like teenagers and I want to scream. They want to mother them and, hey! Nobody wants their mommy at work. How do I say this without coming across like a mother myself?

I want to see everyone succeed. That's my curse. I believe that when people take a job, they want to do their best. They need to be given tools and encouragement. That the way you speak to someone will go a long way in helping them succeed. What you give out, you get back. This goes for every word and action from the manager.

Tell them they're appreciated and you get someone who wants to work.
Tell them they're not going to make it and you get someone who gives up and fails.

Tell them you know they can take on this project and succeed, and they'll find success.
Tell them you doubt their talent, and you'll find someone who doesn't want to try.

Problem? When you see a manager who doesn't know how to set a team up for success and you'll watch a department fall apart. What do you do then?

Sometimes I wonder if my age shapes my view on all this and think maybe I should keep my opinions to myself. What do you think? Leave it to the young? Or speak up?