Posted by Dave Buck on March 1, 2009 under CoachVille Caffeine | 
Monday (03-02-09) on CV Caffeine we will continue to explore the challenges and opportunities of coaching during economic Winter. We will create a panel of diverse coaches and create collective wisdom!
- Do we need to rethink the traditional monthly retainer? Or the amount?
- Is group coaching the answer to financial fear?
- Do we really need every coach racing to create an eBook and audio program to boost revenue?
Do YOU have something to share about this issue?
Would you like to be a guest on this panel? (or a future panel)
If so, send me an email note (see my email at the bottom) with a few of your thoughts. I will let you know if you are selected for this panel.
(and I am always looking for coaches with interesting opinions for future shows!)
Tune in! Let’s create wisdom together.
Visit CV Caffeine Community for phone and web access details.
Show time: 1 PM ET by phone and blogtalkradio; Followed by a podcast.
Posted by Dave Buck on under | DAVE BUCK |
Does the Doom and Gloom Media Have It Right? Or Do the Self-Help Gurus?
BIG Problem OR BIG FUN??
Real wisdom comes when you have a broad perspective on a situation. In this article I will share with you a few different thoughts about the current economic situation:
1) The Season Metaphor applied to global economics
2) The Doom and Gloom Media has some truth to it
3) The Self-Help Gurus telling us that it is all in our consciousness are dangerous
4) A HUGE Winter opportunity for Coaches everywhere
The economy as viewed through the metaphor of the seasons
Seeing and understanding the natural cycles and patterns of things can create perspective and help you make wise decisions. It is also an advanced coaching skill! I heard this idea somewhere in the past few months and it really resonated with me.
The global economy has seasons
that last about 20 years each
The idea is that the economy goes in cycles such that a typical human will experience each season in their life time. Interesting. The physical experience of the seasons is different depending on the part of the world in which you live. So we will look at the seasons metaphorically. Then we will have a quick look at the last century from this perspective.
| Spring |
New growth. Vibrant energy. Lots of rain. |
| Summer |
Lots of light. Time for work AND play. Sometimes it is just too hot to do anything |
| Autumn |
Harvest time. Celebration. Beautiful color followed by transition into grey. If you are wise you store half of your harvest for winter. |
| Winter |
Time of darkness. It is cold outside. Go inside to reflect and renew. Snow can be beautiful and fun if you dress properly. |
Now a quick scan through the most recent cycles. This is NOT an exact science here, remember it is a metaphor; I think a useful one. And I admit that this is a US Centric view.
| 1910′s & 20;s |
Autumn – The big first harvest of the Industrial Age. The roaring 20′s. Including lots of phantom wealth created by stock market speculation and an un-regulated banking boom |
| 1930′s & 40′s |
Winter – The Great Depression and World War. Made significantly worse by the arrogance, greed and over consumption of the previous Autumn |
| 1950′s & 60′s |
Spring – LOTS of new growth, new ideas (computers) with lots of stormy rain (think 60′s) |
| 1970′s & 80′s |
Summer – Lots of heat and light – the self-help revolution; Sometimes it is too hot to move (think late 80′s recession) |
| 1990 – 2008 |
Autumn – Another BIG harvest. Again lots of phantom wealth created through speculation; this time in the housing market and stock market; And again accompanied by hyper consumption by many. And once again un-regulated banking is at the core. |
| 2009 – ?? |
Winter - We don’t yet know what kind of winter it will be. But for sure it will be worse for those with big credit bills and homes and stocks purchased during the height of the speculation. |
The Doom and Gloom Media Has Some Truth To It
When we hear and read the media exclaim about how bad it is in the economy there is some truth to it. At the same time the hyped up fear is unnecessary. Here are a few thoughts on how we can interpret what we are hearing…
1) It is winter, so we can just interpret some of it as simply saying: winter is here. The media always overdoes the light of summer and the darkness of winter. ALWAYS.
2) It could be a warning that it is going to be a “hard winter” for some. Stories about how the winter is harsh on those (individuals and companies) who have little OR who over consumed (or over speculated) in the Autumn are always hard to hear. But this does not mean that they are not true.
Quick statistic:
In the US the ratio between
average household debt and
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
the highest it has been since 1929
AND it does NOT mean that those of us who are prepared for winter should be afraid!
3) Winter Storm Warning. I find these quite useful! I like knowing when a big storm is coming so that I can plan accordingly – it a great service. If they get it wrong and the storm is not so big, I always think: “Better safe than sorry”.
4) At the same time, the majority of the media is missing out on stating the simple truth that it IS economic winter AND winter can be beautiful and even great fun.
If you avoided over consumption or speculation in the Autumn AND you dress properly, winter is a wonderful time.
One issue YOU WILL have to face is this:
How will YOU relate with people who
over-consumed in the Autumn and
NOW want your help in the Winter.
This is a tough one for me, and a major social-political issue. My value for personal responsibility seems to conflict with my value for community contribution. I will share more as my thoughts emerge.
The Self-Help Gurus Are Dangerous
I know that may sound a bit harsh. But I really must say that when I hear and read the self-help gurus touting something that would metaphorically mean: “It is not really winter. It is all in your consciousness”. I think: “That is stupid AND dangerous!” Try going out in a winter storm wearing shorts and a t-shirt while affirming that “it is Summer!”. Not smart.
And of course there is the other side of this as well. If you can temper the guru’s a bit and understand that winter is a beautiful time of refection and transformation, that will serve you very well.
A HUGE Winter Opportunity for Coaches Everywhere
I have said this before and I will say it again: I truly believe that Professional Coaches can emerge from this Winter as true voices of wisdom in the world. By combining the mass appeal of the media and the practical AND TEMPERED wisdom of the Self-Help movement that has so strongly influenced us, we can guide the people of the world into a new age of the Inspiration Economy: where clear purpose, heart -guided action and human greatness carry the day.
Share your thoughts by commenting on this post
Tune into CV Caffeine as we discuss this together.
Coach Dave
