Our elected leaders are telling us we need to tighten our belts.

 

Here are the concessions I’ve made in this bad economy:

·        the hinge on my phone broke two months ago and I am still using it;

·        I am near bald and no longer see the wisdom of paying someone else to “buzz-cut” my hair.

 

So, apparently it is my earnest belief that I can survive this current economic cycle; pay my mortgage, send my kids to college, and retire wealthy simply by NOT buying a new cell phone and NOT paying the roughly $12 per month that I spent on haircuts in my formerly-financially reckless days! 

 

Meanwhile, I somehow justified the wisdom and value of purchasing and consuming the more than occasional shrimp po’ boy sub that serves only to deplete my wallet and elevate my cholesterol. 

 

These are the type of decisions made in isolation while under stress; we seek comfort foods!

 

Remember, GOOBERSism #1: You must know what time it is; and the underlying message that you need to surround yourself with people who will keep you grounded and help you make rational and objective decisions; even if they must hurt you to do so!

 

Following the implementation of this renewed commitment to my more meager ways I noticed several things;

1. I was hanging up on friends when my cell phone would close without notice;

2. This po’ boy was gaining weight, and…

3. Apparently, I was sporting a half a Mohawk without my knowledge.

 

The proverbial “they” say, and country music star Tracy Lawrence sings, that it is in times of peril that you “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

 

So, there I was walking into a worksite to meet with one of my clients; I had my computer bag in one hand; a bag containing my lunch in the other and my cell phone tucked between my ear and shoulder. 

 

As Jamie approached me waiving I tried to nod in her direction.  This haphazard nod caused me to drop my lunch bag (with my po’ boy sandwich inside). 

 

While I was bent over to pick up my daily sustenance of fried comfort I accidentally hung up the phone–  it was only my mother who was undergoing a personal tragedy as two of her newly obtained free-range chickens had been killed by a fox the night before!

 

At that precise moment, while vulnerably stooped before her that Jamie approached, put her hand on my shoulder and said, “Lon.  Who cut’s your hair?  They missed a huge spot!”

 

At that moment I realized several things:

1. Thank God for the timing; I had a big speaking engagement the next day!
2. Where are the rest of my “friends” as it had been a week since I cut my hair!
3. Jamie loves me!  Only a friend is willing to hurt you to keep you from hurting yourself in front of 500 strangers!

I laughed heartily, thanked Jamie profusely and started to call my mother back when Jamie said, “Are you gaining weight?”

 

I want my mommy!

 

Lon Kieffer, author of “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”, Speaker, Consultant, Executive Recruiter and Expert on Workplace Culture Change and Generational Conflicts, gives seminars, keynote and plenary addresses, runs annual sales meetings, and provides Common Sense Consulting at:  www.LonKieffer.com. He can be reached at:  (302) 462-6748 or via email at:  Lon@LonKieffer.com