Are you prepared for times of uncertainty?

My friend had a big wake up call last week when the company he works for said they were moving a large division of the company to Hong Kong. Now the uncertainty of his JOB is a reality. I have had this same thing happen to me several times while working in the corporate world. I used to work for a major computer software company back in the day when they were flourishing. I will always have a fondness in my heart for the work I did. BUT, what happened to me when everything was falling apart in the computer industry seemed so unbelievable. I was laid off from the job I loved. So, I would update my resume, and go job hunting. I would get a great job and be so excited to be working again, and then I would be laid off within the first year! It happened so many times, that I hit a 'fork in the road' and had to make the decision to change my career. I am so happy that I did make a change, because so many doors have open for me since that time.

The media is great at making us feel all those awful emotions that keep us stuck in our old thought patterns. They don't have many good things to say right now, so my suggestion to you is to turn off the news, and stop reading the newspapers. Do I want to know what the latest news is? Yes, I guess, but only if it is good news. Its funny, I decided more than a year ago to stop watching the news and reading the paper. I still get the latest news from somewhere. People talk about what is happening in the world constantly, so you don't have to worry about not being in the loop if you are concerned about that!

So, with uncertainty comes stress, all those old feelings of lack, fear, and every other negative thought that you can think of. These feeling are not something you want to focus on. There will always be ups and downs in the market, real estate and employment. What you can do is focus on what you are grateful for in your life and stay positive.

When these times of uncertainty come to your doorstep, are you prepared? Did you open that emergency savings I have been telling you about? If you have not even thought twice about opening one, do so now. Just having one will make you feel better. You will walk taller knowing that you have something to fall back on if needed. You will know that if uncertainty knocks on your door, you will be prepared. And if it never does come to be, even better, now you will have accumulated a nice sum of money to use as you wish when you retire!