Recession-Time Do and Don'ts
By Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell, Payscale.com



Financial welfare and career stability are where most of our thoughts fly during a recession, as
well they should. But during these uncertain economic times, pause for just a
moment to consider the turkey. When frightened by a storm, turkeys run into a
corner, pile up and suffocate each other. A turkey may not drown in the rain,
but its storm plan is just as deadly. Today's economic recession can make anyone
feel like a turkey. It's possible to survive these stormy economic times, but
you've got to start with a little self-evaluation.

Chicken Little -- DON'T


The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Watch the news -- it's full of stock
market malaise, foreclosures, layoffs -- it feels like the sky already fell.
But, let's put it in perspective; America has survived recessions before, and it
will survive them again -- and so will you! On average, the U.S. has undergone a
recession every five years since WWII. We're all recession pros, not chickens.
If Chicken Little had created recession survival strategies instead of hysteria,
he could have helped his friends instead of being the loon

Ostrich -- DON'T


It can be tempting during a recession to stick your head in the sand. Denial
isn't just a river in Egypt; it's one way to cope during a bad economy. But just
because you don't see the danger doesn't make it disappear. So unlike the
ostrich, you'll want to keep your eyes wide open and looking for opportunities.
Even during an economic recession, people still get hired, companies still buy
supplies and CEOs still get paid way too much. No ostrich has ever made a
fortune during a recession.

Buzzard -- DON'T


We've all seen the buzzard -- the person who is so sure their company is on
its last legs that he's already assembling his own personal severance package --
one box of Post-It Notes at a time. The buzzard is not thinking about moving
forward to what's next for his career. He just circles the carcass and waits.
We've always believed it's more productive to move forward and fly on to your
next opportunity.

Eagle -- DO


Our winning recession strategy isn't because the eagle is our national bird
or because it's featured in the opening of the 'Colbert Report.' It's because
eagles know the storm is coming before other birds and they use the storm's
winds to rise above the trouble. While others merely weather a recession, you
can rise above it. Create a "contingency" career. Don't restrict your search to
your own zip code (telecommuting is more popular than ever). Learn how to fly
like an eagle, soar above tough economic times, and you won't become recession
history.

Start what? Please be clear.