My Reality

John F. Kennedy had it right when he said running for office is a whole lot different from being in office. Once in office, you get so much conflicting advice from advisors that it is hard to know what to do. It is a no-brainer that concepts, strategies, plans and proposals are only as good as the people charged with their execution. That being said, the reality is that those people must be of high caliber. The bottom line reality is that even that will not guarantee job security in today's economic environment.

My girlfriend's daughter was laid off from her job of 20 years. Her performance reviews were outstanding and her clients adored her. After her tears and rage subsided, she exhaled and faced reality. Bewilderment and unfairness would get her nowhere moving forward.She had to find a way out of her predicament. And it is a predicament, to be sure, that is being replicated on just about every front imaginable. Who would have thought that the darling of new retail store concepts -- Starbucks -- would close stores rather than continuing its march to glory by opening more stores all over the world. Fact is, all kinds of businesses up and down the supply chain are cutting back operations and laying people off. This predicament is clouding our very existence. The question is, what are we doing about it? The short answer is not enough.

That is my reality. What is yours?

Please send me your thoughts.

Thank you,

Barbara.