New Goals for 2009 in a Tough Economy

With a new administration and a poor economy it's time for everyone to start thinking of the resolutions and goals for the new year. We are going to need a lot of courage, patience, attitude and planning to bring our lives back to a livable structure without fear of homelessness and hunger for our own families. Goals will be very different from years past and we'll have to consider each step we take. Are you ready for hard decisions?

1. Relax and stay calm. This is the first goal you will have to face. When you are blinded by anger at yourself, the economy or any one group you will not be able to create a solution to problems. You will need to force yourself to put aside problems and face only the most current this minute. As you find a solution to each problem you deal with you will need to write it down. It's hard to remember the details once you move on to the next problem and this will free your mind for new solutions. When you are ready to work through one problem or many at the same time you will have a reference to look back on. You will not be focused on what you forgot.

2. Face your most overwhelming problem now. If you are being laid off of your job then start looking for another. It can be a step down, self employment, two jobs, one part time, spouse income or even welfare. The problem of money is going to be the hardest to face, but you will adjust your thought pattern to life now and not what you thought it would be forever. Life has changed and it's time to accept the fact. You are not the only one losing a job or home so quit feeling sorry for yourself and find a solution. You may find someone in worse shape than you as a solution with combined effort.

3. Prepare your family. Let the children know life is going to change and they will need to live with less than they are used to. Let them learn about the depression or how pioneers on wagon trains and the new west survived. It's ok to let them be a part of the creation process. It will help them to relate to the problems of the world and other families around them. They will not feel so helpless if they can become problem solvers within the family and within their community. Make sure they are aware this is a world wide problem and don't lose hope.

4. Make a list of everything you have now that wasn't available during the wagon train movement. Now start eliminating what you can live without. This is going to be a tough job, because most people have gotten used to the good life of technology. But you must be harsh if you are going to live on less. Let go of cell phones, TV's, expensive cars and trucks, more than one or two cars, satellite TV, cable, internet, video games and most other electric items. You are going to pare down to the basics or you will be living with all these items in you car!

5. Make a week long event of no TV, video or even lights. Use candles or oil lamps. Play games, read, talk or do yard maintenance. It will make a large difference in your power bill if you do this once a month. In the winter time use only heat or wood heat. Barbequeue in the back yard and make enough to put away for a few days meals. Warm items in the microwave or eat it cold.

6. For larger problems find a solution on your own, with family and friends or as a community to help everyone get one step closer to recovery. If you know someone who is losing their home find a way to help them keep it for a few more months. Find them room mates, money, a job or any way to overcome the lose of each homeowner in trouble you come across.

7. Make sure everyone in your community has food enough to eat. Make it public as a community if anyone needs food to meet at a certain area of town for help. Give what you can when you arrive even if it's fresh fruit, canned goods, bakery goods, rice or soda. Have a community pot luck so the hungry don't go to bed that night worrying about where their next meal will come from.

8. Find small businesses that are going under and need help. Bring them together in a building no longer in use for a cleaning fee and their utilities. They can use a much smaller space in the building and share with as many other businesses that will fit together with them in order to save your local economy and the small businesses we use daily. Provide free advertising for small businesses that must move into their own family homes to help with cost.

9. Get involved with your local politics and create ideas to help. Then use the media. Local or nationwide to help each other climb to the top once again. Do not believe in upper government bail outs. It is a great buzz phrase, but too late for many. The government will not move quickly when it comes to an individual level, you must do this for yourself and your own home town. It starts with one person and moves to many across communities, towns, cities, states and then countries. We will rescue each other and our own. Don't wait until it's too late. Help and solutions are needed now.