Four Steps for Finding Success in a Recession

Self Motivation & Needs Assessment

Abraham Maslow in the 50′s developed a theory on what motivated people and how the needs of people can be met and entered into the complex mix that leads some to a satisfied successful Life.

Maslow has been criticized for having developed theories that are too simple. I have used his simple theories modified for my own use in times of business problems and the five serious recessions I have experienced prior to the current one.  They are comforting in their simplicity and they have worked for me with slight modifications to meet the individual challenges I faced.

With apologies to Maslow here is a simple plan to work into your recession survival notebook.

1. Physiological Needs must be outlined for use in a recession survival plan.  In a recession the first thing that needs to be done is to establish what the basic physiological needs are for you and your family. I break it down simply to shelter, food and necessary clothing.  Each family needs to establish the absolute minimum needs for comfort in these three areas.  Everyone has a different idea of minimum needs but it is important to establish your true minimum needs and the needs of your group.

2.  Safety and Order are the second issue to be dealt with.  A plan for moving through the economic trouble is required. The plan needs to include asset assesments and short and longer range goals for the use of assets to move ahead.  The short range goals should be modest so that everyone involved can gain confidence that they are working with aplan that is leading to a successful resolution of the problems faced in a recession.  A sense of safety will grow with each goal that is achieved.  Stay in close communication with family and share the successes no matter how small.

3.  Social Needs is the third area that Maslow deals with in his motivational scale which I have modified for recession use. In a recession it is imperative that you maintain frequent contact with those close friends and relatives who have been part of your life in better times. It has always been a comfort to me to know that there are friends important to me that are rooting for my success.  I depend on the thoughts of close and trusted friends when structuring a plan to move forward in tough economic times. I get up earlier and phone friends in time zones ahead of mine.  Do not stay in bed and start feeling alone. It was not covered by Maslow but my father preached his theory that no one was ever a big success that was in bed on a work day past 7 AM and that was perhaps a little late to be getting up.  His exceptions were entertainers and restaurant owners.

4.  Esteem Needs is an area closely related to the social needs section in my modification of Maslows theory.  In working with people who know and respect your efforts the important element of self esteem can be maintained.  There are more negative by-standers to a problem than problem solvers.  Stay close to those friends that do not call impediments “problems ” but encourage you concerning the difficulties being faced as ,simply, the work that needs to be done.  it is important to maintain a sense of self esteem in challenging times.  Calm careful planning and progress through these difficult periods will be recognized by others who have not established the confident plan designed for success that you have established.  The recognition of your competent activities will contribute to confidence and build momentum to send you successfully through the economic whirlpool of recession to the better time on the other side.

I know that a four paragraph outline of a plan for survival and success in a recession cannot contain all the answers. Maslow has been my basic(default) program used and modified in each period I have faced that required a special work effort.  No one said being in business would be easy and in a families life the same need for structure must be addressed in difficult times.  Maslow was criticized for being too simple by experts whose names I forgot.

I have little interest in spending any part of my life wringing my hands and worrying if this is the start of whatever the gloom and doomers are predicting as the end of America as we know it.  I heard that same sad tolling for the end of America during the Carter years.  The American people were not ready to be a third world country then.  I’m still not ready for that and feel sure that we will come out of this period smarter and stronger, requiring more from those in whom we place our trust.  We will regain the America of forward looking opportunity for those ready to use self motivation and hard work to reach new levels of achievement.