Marketing Me! Adapting to Overcome

A couple of things which came to my attention this week.

Story one -
Couple nearing retirement live in semi-rural Michigan on "ten acres near lake" in 100 year old farmhouse. Now in their 50's they have a predicament: they are having a problem affording their home. They cannot afford the $4+ a gallon heating oil to heat their home. They cannot get firewood to use in fireplace to offset increased heating cost of using oil. Their taxes have increased. They want something "done" or "help".

Story two -
A friend who works in broadcasting told me his story. The television news stations are financially suffering. They are cutting back on all expenses. They have cut out all overtime. On top of this, they are actively, but not officially, reducing 40+ year olds in favor of 20-somethings right out of college. Friend is concerned about what his field will look like in ten years.

Both stories, one ending.

Adapt or die.

Couple in Michigan. Only one solution. Sell that big white elephant and move somewhere warmer and more affordable. Census data released yesterday tells you where everyone else is moving and why. Get out from under that cold, old farmhouse and move south to a less expensive Sunbelt state. Housing is cheaper and getting more so everyday. I don't know anyone down here who uses heating oil. Well maybe in Florida. But why should you suffer from the cost anymore? Want to stay? Sentimentality? Friends? Family? Who cares. YOu cannot afford to stay where you are and it will only get worse.

Broadcaster. Guess what? The old media outlets are only get to get worse. Hey, if you are able to hang on to your job, good for you. But don't be surprised if your pay continues to get cut and the threat of a younger person taking over becomes more real every day. What is a solution? Get out of news and take your video work private. Go to work in corporate communications or health care. Hook up with a wedding coordinator and start shooting weddings on the weekend. The money is really good.

Questions -
If I move, who will take care of my aged mother/father/grandmother,etc?
Strap her to the roof (Granny Clampett - Beverly Hillbillies) and go.
What if I cannot sell my home?
Any home can and will be sold. Try harder, get another broker, reduce your price, etc.
What if I miss my friends and family?
Yes, but you will miss eating first.
What if my job comes back?
Jobs are not boomerangs.

Adapt now. Or your career will die.
Remember, the economy is always the same for the successful, different for the adapters and going south for the extinct.

What will you be?