Facing Feast or Famine? (Part One)

The phrase “feast or famine” keeps getting thrust at me in many conversations lately.  The first time I heard it, I thought, “Yes, I know what you mean!”  The second time I heard it, I thought, “Yes, I was just talking about that the other day.”  The the third time I heard it in the past few weeks, it lingered in the air.  It hung in the air like thick haze.

Why do we assume that it is one or the other?  Can we, as clients and creatives, not prepare in some way to keep it balanced between the two extremes?

I like to think of the ant and the grasshopper from Aesop’s fables.  (Don’t remember it?  Read it here.  It’s super short.)  The moral of that story was preparation for times of necessity, something which seems to make sense but can be quite challenging.

Many of my friends find themselves without jobs these days.  I imagine that a lack of gainful employment can be incredibly difficult, and count my blessings each time a friend tells me they are still looking for a job.  I have had the opportunity to speak with so many people lately who are feeling famine instead of feast.

To the unemployed, or the creatives/agencies feeling that work is slacking off right now, I recommend these few quick tips.  These are mostly targeted at individuals but can also be applied to your boutique agency.

• Keep yourself busy, even if it doesn’t pay.
  Volunteer.  Get crafty.  Reorganize a room in your house.  Do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return.  No matter how you found yourself with some down time, keep yourself appropriately busy.  Don’t get so busy that you can’t cope with what is happening, mind you.  But take the time to stay active so that you won’t get lazy.  Inspiration comes from unexpected moments.  And something you’re doing may just lead you to a lucrative entrepreneurial business idea or two.
• Don’t retreat.  Keep meeting with family, friends, and professionals.  But don’t ask for something unless you’ve earned it.
  It’s easy to hibernate when things get tough.  Take the time you need initially if you’ve just gotten laid off, but don’t spend too long wallowing.  Self-pity gets you no where quickly, and leaves people feeling sorry for you instead of energized to help you.  Instead, spend your time focusing on the positive.  You now have more time to catch up with family, friends, and professionals you’ve met throughout the years.

  Go back to the people you konw and tell them you remember how kind they were to you.  It can take a matter of minutes on the phone, or an hour getting coffee–choose what works best for you both.  Just be sure you’re connecting with others in a very genuine way.

  Be flexible when you meet up with folks, too.  Don’t get irritated if they only have a few minutes.  Remember, you are now the one with more wiggle room in your schedule.

  Don’t ask for something unless you’ve earned the opportunity.  Making connections is important, but no one wants to feel used.  I remember an old contact met me for coffee, and within minutes she was trying to sell me something.  I felt duped and irritated, and wanted to leave immediately.  Feel out the situation, and don’t abuse it.  If you feel comfortable in the conversation, ask them to think of you if they see a fitting opportunity.  Make it easy for them to remember what you need: a job, new clients, etc.  Give them one word to hang their hat on.  They are busy thinking of the things in their own lives, so you want a trigger word to help them remember you when the opportunity arises.

  Say thank you.  Always.

• Save like you may never get another pay check again.
  If you find yourself on the famine side of “feast or famine” then you can make great things happen simply by being conservative with your spending.  I’m Clark Howard,  but I was known as a tight wad as a kid because I kept such a tight fist on my wad of cash.  Rarely spent a dime on anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary.  This practice has taught me how to be a better entrepreneur.  If you save and spend wisely, you will find just how far your cash can go.  It takes some adjusting if you have been living in feast mode for a while.  But the lean times teach us great things about our spending habits.

Do you agree / disagree on any of these tips?  I welcome the conversation.

More for those facing a feast in Part II, coming soon.