Be forwarned, be very careful, curent economic conditions can result in extremely bad decisions.

Its  a problem and you need to be for-warned.

When under stress, drowning under  feelings of desperation, one tends to make less carefully considered decisions. As well, one tends to make more emotional decisions, sometimes geared more at deflecting pain and supporting ones out of control ego, rather then making the right decisions, doing the right thing and  solving your problems, as difficult as it may seem. Self destruction is an all to frequent natural response to stress, uncertainty, pain, disappointment, and outright fear.

I cannot blame the small business man for making bad decisions in his moment of extreme disarray. For unexplainable reasons beyond his control, the economy around him is melting down turning his previously successful business and life totally upside down. Unemployment is rising, revenue is dropping, overhead is increasing, our real estate and retirement plans are worth far less and worse yet the business which is holding your world up is failing. What can one do?

The answer is the subject of other blog posts I have written, but this post is focusing on some of the bad decisions one makes under such circumstances and provides a warning. Stop, think and proceed carefully, you are in a dangerous hostile situation and are in jeopardy of making mistakes far more dangerous then what an  economic meltdown can cause and the potential failure or actual failure of your business.

What am I talking about? Drugs, alcohol and infidelity. The deadly three. Add gambling and betting and you have the picture.

Normally high standard, family loving, community leaders, dedicated small business owners can fall from grace under the pressure of unpredicted financial disaster.

In the depression, men jumped out of windows…today they get addicted to prescription drugs, alcohol and commit adultery.

Whether it be to dull the pain or feel the rush of  false exhilaration, or stroke ones ego, it is a response to unbearable pressure and intense pain, self doubt and a need to feel positive about oneself thus one can make very poor decisions under such pressure and make disastrous mistakes. Mistakes that will do more damage then financial destruction, mistakes that will destroy the fiber of the family and put everyone close to you at risk of utter destruction, irreparable destruction…

Think twice. Recognize you are under stress and accept the fact that your decision making capability may be impaired. Gather your strength and dig deep, remember your standards and hold on…yes it requires great strength and self sacrifice, but we are all capable  of making good decisions, we have demonstrated that skill repeatedly, do not fail now, under duress, when the risks are huge. Business owners are warriors, committed to standards and self sacrifice. Do what is right.

Be the man you want to be, accept your responsibility with a ‘no problem’ attitude, ask for help if you need it and find the way out. Do not sell out your family for a false placebo. Accept your responsibility. You are a warrior and will be tested as never before. You must not allow these issues to be excuses for bad behavior.

No drugs, no alcohol and definitely no adultery. Pay attention to what is important.

Call me if you need help. 413-584-2581.

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