Perhaps I’m late to this party, but there’s still a lot of change being experienced by people as the economic meltdown reverberates. In the process of all the upheaval, a lot has been written about what people are doing to deal with the unwelcomed loss of jobs, money, homes, educational pursuits and dreams of a certain future.

Early in my corporate career, the idea of losing my job was outright frightening. And when I heard in my 20’s that a person my age would change jobs seven times before retirement, I was mortified. 

Since that time I did lose a job - or two. With that came an overflow of fear as I grappled with the unknown, how to hang on to what I had and what to do next. These are natural responses to both real and imagined threats. Surprisingly, I not only survived, but in many ways I thrived. Over the years, I’ve learned how to turn threats into opportunities.

Whenever we’re threatened, we have the opportunity to emotionally react to the situation, or intellectually interpret it. We can panic, get depressed, throw things and make matters worse, or we can step back, assess the situation and ask - “How can I turn this into an opportunity.” Opportunity can be something new, different or beneficial for you or others involved.

We’re all walking on somewhat of a tightrope called life. If we lean left or right, that leads to oblivion and certain death. If we stand still, we’re destined for mediocrity. What we must do if we don’t want to fall or freeze is - keep moving.

Once again, I was asked to respond to a question posed by a reader of the Career Builder section of the Arizona Republic newspaper, in a column known as “Ask The Experts.” Following is a recent Q&A from that column.

Question:

I was convicted of a felony 13 years ago. I wanted to change my life, so I made the decision to go to school. This year I will be graduating with an MBA in Project Management. Have I wasted my money going to school? Was I just dreaming thinking I could be a professional even though I have a felony conviction?

Answer:

In spite of what you’ve done in the past, good or bad, there are three types of people that you will encounter in the world. They include those who are for you, those who are against you and those who don’t care.

I’ve coached people in your situation so I know that there are opportunities out there that are “for you,” although some industries are sensitive and have more rigid hiring policies. You may be better off looking at companies that are more people-driven and not policy-driven. In any event, your job is to find those opportunities, and then honestly convey to them that you have the ability to accept consequences, overcome poor choices and accomplish positive things like getting an MBA.

Going forward, the only thing that could be a waste of time is to dwell on the past. Do your best to let that go, keep dreaming and expect good things for your future.

I have the privilege of meeting once a month with my friend Randy Ek, spiritual guru and life coach. I get to ask Randy big questions about philosophy, life and success, and I’m always profoundly enlightened by his answers. Something I love that he consistently says is, “Your life is perfect. Pay attention.”

Someone recently shared the following article with me, summarizing a story that appeared in the Washington Post written by Gene Weingarten. I don’t know who wrote the summary, but after reading it you’ll see why I think that Randy Ek is such a wise man.

The Story about a Violinist

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
 
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Your life IS perfect! Pay Attention!

To learn more about Randy’s work as a life coach, author and speaker, go to www.randyek.com

One day while in the checkout line at a local Safeway, I noticed that the cashier displayed several buttons on her store apron. As she rang up my purchase, I read one that said - “If you’re not happy today, what day are you waiting for?” 

That button reminded me of when I started listening to Wayne Dyer over 25 years ago.  I remember him talking about what he called “futurizing.” He suggested that many of us are waiting to be happy based on “when” something might happen in the future, versus being happy today.

Chances are you’ve used this concept before. At some point in your life you’ve probably said, “I’ll be happy when__________.” It’s not unusual, but it’s based on two presumptions. That happiness can’t occur right now, and that there actually is a future.

Something else that Wayne Dyer said is, “The future is guaranteed to no one.” He’s right. There isn’t anyone who has that guarantee. Now, I’m not an unhopeful person, nor opposed to planning. In fact, I insist on it. But when you are living “when,” you’re not living now, which is all you really have.

On a wall in my office I have several things written down that I’ve gathered over the years. One is, “What must I do in my life before I die?” “Start NOW.”

Yes, successful people plan for the future, but they take action now. So, if you aren’t happy today, what day are you waiting for?

I liked this story so much that I had to share it with you.

The author, according to the friend who sent this to me, is unknown. The message, however, is one that you’ve known and possibly forgotten.

Here’s how the story goes:

One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.”

At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be.

The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: “Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he’s no longer here!”

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: “There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.