Recession? What Recession? Where?

History is being written presently. The notes will continue for a while marking this action, or that, from dignitaries within and without the government as they attempt to make a place of recognition for themselves during this fluctuation of America's economy.

From where I sit, it's almost a theatrical production...repeating an old plot...with much fan-fare, hub-bub, and to-do. The scenario, this time, will be painfully slow in unfolding. We can distinguish the characters in this production by the role they play. The good guys (white hat boys) will have bright white teeth shown continuously behind never ending wide smiles. These are the happy news fellows who see only sunshine and good times ahead. On the other side are the doomers and gloomers with turned down lips and worry lines creating the look of ruined finery...symbols of sweetness and goodness having run amuck leaving a muddy trail behind them.

There are other groups of characters in this scenario that are clearly recognizable also. There's the big eyed, palms out, hurtful expression players of the game who are saying 'I didn't do it! It's not my fault.' And, there's the stuffed shirts, hands in pockets, strutters who go around saying, "I told you so! But, no. You wouldn't listen. So, look at you now!"

Another group of players. resembling a group of high school students on science fair day, pop up once in a while with their large glasses, the clipboards, wearing suits looking much like lab coats. Their job is to propose actions to be taken which should, by all the theoretical data available, turn this economy around. Of course, there is a duplication of this group with contrary theories who are shouting about dire consequences should we be so stupid as to follow the ideas of the first group.

While the people described above are up there doing their thing, the rest of us are here, where we've always been, doing what we've always done....surviving. All the chatter about the 'condition', all the finger pointing, all the preliminary studies about making things right....none of that has anything to do with those of us who don't have the time, nor energy, to waste on the useless activity.

I don't think many of us have been asked what we need as help, nor what we think about any of this. But, we're told, those people are working hard on our behalf. We're not to worry because they are making things right. Am I the only one who thinks that the best thing any of them can do for us, the survivors, is to get out of our way? I truly believe that the fixers speak a different language from those for whom they are fixing things . They speak of wheat futures....we speak of the cost of a loaf of bread. They speak of the price of a barrel of oil...we speak of how much it cost for a gallon of gas. They speak of real-estate coming down in value...we see the monthly fee for rent being raised again. We may as well be working on completely different sets of economic problems.

It's obvious to you at this point that I surely do not understand the economy or how to fix it. But, there are certain things that we, as individuals and as survivors, can do....will do...to carry on with the life and the traditions which we hold dear. Like others of you who have spoken here, I don't recognize the words depression, recession, slow economy, stock market crashes....none of that has anything to do with my daily life.

Survivors, we are. The ingenious ways in which we develop strategies to survive are really more fun that solving the economic thing. I don't have it in me to worry one minute about it. Why? Well, there's nothing I, personally, can do about it.Then, I don't really believe it. Next, I don't depend on it. Also, the most precious things in this life are not affected by it...family, friends, the grandbaby's sweet smile, my pup's devotion.

I realize that the economy is serious business. Perhaps I should think about it once in a while. But, I have more important things to do just now, such as writing this little essay and clipping the coupons for tomorrow grocery store trip. Then I have to prepare for the guests arriving this weekend to stay all through the holidays. There's that spot on the back 40 I wanted them to see during their stay this time.

The recession is just going to have to wait a while if it wants me to take part. I don't have time.

Dorothy Allen
A Working Mom and A Financial Stress Survivor
Skype: DixieDays Phone: 601 510 3581
Benefits for People, by People
Email: drthyallen@gmail.com

Lots of people look at that word, communication, and wonder what all the big to-do is about. Communicate. Big Deal! Open your mouth and speak...or, take up the pencil and write...or, sit at the computer and send an email...or...

It's true that many methods of communication exist today. The various ways in which to communicate are becoming more each day with the evolution of technology. But, just because there is a physical means to communicate does not mean that communication has taken place.

The definition of the word, communication, tells us that the act of communicating means the passing of information from one mind to another mind. So, regardless of the effort being made, if the information is not actually passed to another mind, you have not communicated.

With our young children, we wait patiently and insistently for them to receive the information being transmitted to them as we repeatedly try to communicate the word 'no'.

For us, as marketers, the need to communicate is fundamental to the success of our business. Telephoning, emailing, blasting ads, rotating in traffic exchanges...all of these are simply ways in which we are trying to communicate. Getting someone's attention first... having someone recognize that we are attempting to transmit information... and then, to have that someone actually receive the information we are transmitting.... for us, that is communication at it's highest level.

What the someone actually does, or doesn't do, with the information we've communicated is, in a way, a communication of it's own. There will be a response to the received information. The buying of our product is the highest level of positive response to our communication. Taking no action at all concerning our information is the highest level of negative response. It may not be possible for the marketer to have proof of the response level in-between those two extremes. Chances are, the receiver of the information actually thinks about what has been communicated and then puts that thought process to one side as they consider other communications.

It is said that a sale usually doesn't take place until after the 6th, 7th, 8th time of being exposed to the information. With that understood, it is to the marketers best interest to continue efforts at communication to the same market group for some period of time before changing direction. The addition of some kind of positive reinforcement may aid in the reception of transmitted information... something like a downloadable freebie or a certificate of discount.

I hope this bit of 'education' concerning communication will be helpful to other Work at Home Moms such as myself.

Dorothy Allen, A Work From Home Mom
Email: drthyallen@gmail.com
Skype: DixieDays Phone: 601 510 3581
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