Business

Rainy Day People: Be An Encourager to Others

A little encouragement can move you from despair to exultation.

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2021

Jeff Davidson

After I received an MBA from the University of Connecticut, I was immediately hired by Burroughs Business Systems, which ultimately became Unisys. I ended up leaving in a little less than one year because I was not enthusiastic about what the company provided, my current role, and my long-term prospects with them.

When I departed Burroughs, in the late spring I had no job prospects but I felt confident that I could find something easily. After all, I got hired right out of graduate school. At that time, I didn’t understand that it’s unwise to leave one salaried position for another unless you already have that other one lined up.

From Desperation to Despair

After six interminable months, and more than 300 resumes mailed, I was in despair. Long before the availability of the Internet it was costly to job seek. For sure, I had gone on a few interviews here and there, but had no real prospects, during all those months. Then, one emerged – a small consulting firm of six people. It was perfect for me.

Miraculously, the company, in the Vernon CT was one mile from my rented house. I had an interview with the company president, the interview went exceedingly well, and by all indications I felt certain that he would call me back within the week to make a job offer.

When that first week passed, I felt a bit disheartened, but still confident because of how well the interview had gone. Then, somehow, another week passed. Meanwhile, I was running low on funds. With no other prospects emerging, things were getting bleak, and I was nearly out of options.

Shut Out and Shivering

Friday afternoon, as the third week was about to pass, I was lying on my bed staring up at the ceiling. This December day was shivering cold, completely gray, with a constant down pour. My father, who was the vice principal at a junior high school in Hartford, gave me a call after he got out of school at 3:30 as he was eager as well for news about the job.

“No word,” I said, “and it’s been three weeks, so I think this is a lost cause.” He told me, in his characteristic way, that if I haven’t heard “no” the possibility is still open. He said they might have not called me back yet for any number of reasons. Then, ever the encourager, my father suggested that I get dressed and visit the company this afternoon.

I thought this was going way too far, but what else did I have brewing…

Full Speed Ahead

Fortified by my father’s words, I took a shower, put on my best suit, and drove the one mile. It was now 4:30 with the downpour continuing, on this shivering day.

I took the elevator to the third floor where the company was located, opened the door, and saw the receptionist. To my surprise, she remembered me. I asked to see the company president. She said, “Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“Is he expecting you?”

“No.”

She said, “Let me page him and see if maybe he has a few minutes.” She was on the phone briefly and then said to me, “Have a seat, he’ll be out in a few minutes.” So, in this tiny reception room, I sat in the only visitor’s chair. Time passed, and I’m wondering if he’s going to regard me as a fruitcake for appearing unannounced on a day like this.

Finally, he appeared. He greeted me and bade me come into his office. We spoke for quite a while and the conversation went as well as it had the first time. He told me he had been on the fence for two reasons: first, he was waiting to land a large contract and second, he had never hired someone as young as me, but my demonstrated tenacity, by returning to the office was admirable.

By now, despite the downpour, you could tell that everyone else in the firm had gone home for the weekend. The place was completely silent, but I left the office aglow: I was hired that afternoon.

Encouragement is Priceless

May 13th is the birthday of my father, now long departed, who resides in my heart for evermore.

The people in our lives do make a difference and can help mitigate our self-doubt. I went from personal, professional, and financial despair, six months in the making, to landing my ideal long-term career position only 90 minutes later, because of my father’s encouragement.

– – – – –

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Jeff Davidson

Jeff Davidson is the world's only holder of the title "The Work-Life Balance Expert®" as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management. Visit www.BreathingSpace.com for more information on Jeff's keynote speeches and seminars, including: Managing the Pace with Grace® * Achieving Work-Life Balance™ * Managing Information and Communication Overload®

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SAVE YOURSELF: Is This The Surefire Way to Protect Your Money in the Inevitable Financial Meltdown?

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has emerged as a revolutionary technology.

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2023

Chris Widener

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CAN DECENTRALIZED FINANCE BE THE WAY TO SAVE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM MELTDOWNS AND TYRANNY?

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is built on the blockchain, which offers a wide range of financial services without the need for intermediaries such as banks or other financial institutions. DeFi has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional finance, offering a more open, transparent, and decentralized financial system. In this article, we will explore why DeFi can protect you from a coming financial meltdown and from tyrannical governments.

DeFi is built on the blockchain, which means that it is inherently decentralized. This means that there is no central authority controlling the system, and all transactions are verified and validated by a distributed network of nodes. This makes the system more resilient and less vulnerable to attack or manipulation. Unlike traditional financial systems, where central authorities have the power to manipulate the system, DeFi is designed to be transparent and immutable.

One of the main advantages of DeFi is that it offers greater financial freedom and control to users. DeFi allows users to access a wide range of financial services without the need for intermediaries. This means that users can transact directly with each other, without having to go through banks or other financial institutions. This gives users greater control over their finances and reduces the risks associated with centralized financial systems.

Another advantage of DeFi is that it is highly transparent. All transactions on the blockchain are public and can be verified by anyone. This means that there is no room for fraud or manipulation, as all transactions are visible to all participants in the network. This level of transparency is not possible in traditional financial systems, where transactions are often opaque and difficult to track.

DeFi also offers greater security to users. Transactions on the blockchain are secured using cryptography, making them virtually impossible to hack or manipulate. This means that users can trust the system, knowing that their funds are secure. Traditional financial systems, on the other hand, are often vulnerable to cyberattacks and fraud, which can result in significant financial losses.

Don’t miss Rich Dad Poor Dad’s Robert Kiyosaki in this absolutely free webinar: The Coming Financial Tsunami. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Click here NOW to register!

Furthermore, DeFi is designed to be more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Unlike traditional financial systems, which often have high barriers to entry, DeFi is open to anyone with an internet connection. This means that people who are unbanked or underbanked can access financial services that were previously unavailable to them. This inclusivity is important because it helps to reduce financial inequality and promotes greater financial inclusion.

Finally, DeFi is more resilient than traditional financial systems. DeFi is built on a decentralized network of nodes, which means that there is no single point of failure. This makes the system more resilient to attacks and more resistant to financial meltdowns. In traditional financial systems, a single point of failure can have catastrophic consequences, as we saw in the 2008 financial crisis.

DeFi is a new and exciting financial system that offers a wide range of benefits over traditional finance. It is transparent, secure, accessible, and resilient, making it an attractive option for people who are looking to protect themselves from a coming financial meltdown. While DeFi is still in its early stages, it has the potential to transform the world of finance, offering a more open, transparent, and decentralized financial system for everyone.

SEVEN BENEFITS OF DECENTRALIZED FINANCE

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has emerged as a revolutionary technology that enables individuals to conduct financial transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks or financial institutions. DeFi uses blockchain technology, which provides a transparent and secure way of conducting financial transactions. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of decentralized finance, along with a brief overview of crypto and blockchain.

Overview of Crypto and Blockchain

Crypto refers to digital currencies that use cryptography to secure financial transactions and control the creation of new units. Bitcoin, which was created in 2009, is the most well-known cryptocurrency. It is based on blockchain technology, which is a decentralized ledger that records transactions in a transparent and secure manner. Blockchain technology provides a secure and tamper-proof way of recording transactions, making it ideal for use in financial transactions.

Benefits of Decentralized Finance

Lower Transaction Costs

Decentralized finance provides a cost-effective way of conducting financial transactions. Traditional financial systems are often plagued by high transaction costs, which are passed on to customers. DeFi eliminates the need for intermediaries, which means that transaction costs are significantly lower. This makes it easier for individuals to access financial services and reduces the barriers to entry for new players in the market.

Greater Accessibility

DeFi provides greater accessibility to financial services, particularly for individuals who are unbanked or underbanked. In many parts of the world, people do not have access to traditional banking services due to various factors such as lack of documentation, poor credit history, or living in remote areas. DeFi provides a way for these individuals to access financial services using only a smartphone and an internet connection. This has the potential to increase financial inclusion and reduce poverty.

Increased Transparency

One of the main benefits of blockchain technology is its transparency. Transactions recorded on the blockchain are publicly visible, making it easier to trace the flow of funds. This provides a level of transparency that is not possible with traditional financial systems. Decentralized finance leverages this transparency to provide greater accountability and reduce the risk of fraud. This makes DeFi a more secure and trustworthy way of conducting financial transactions.

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More Control Over Personal Data

Traditional financial systems often require individuals to provide personal data such as name, address, and social security number. This data is stored by banks and financial institutions, making it vulnerable to hacks and breaches. DeFi provides individuals with more control over their personal data by using self-sovereign identity solutions. These solutions enable individuals to control their own data and share it only with the parties they trust.

Greater Flexibility

Decentralized finance provides greater flexibility in terms of financial products and services. Traditional financial systems are often rigid, with limited options for customers. DeFi provides a range of financial products and services, including loans, savings accounts, insurance, and investment products. This gives individuals greater flexibility to choose the financial products and services that meet their specific needs.

Faster Settlement Times

Blockchain technology enables faster settlement times for financial transactions. Traditional financial systems often require several intermediaries to process transactions, which can take several days. With DeFi, transactions are processed directly on the blockchain, which means that settlement times can be as fast as a few seconds. This provides greater convenience for customers and reduces the risk of errors and delays.

Reduced Counterparty Risk

Traditional financial systems often involve counterparty risk, which is the risk that one party will fail to fulfill its obligations in a financial transaction. DeFi eliminates counterparty risk by using smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts that automatically execute when certain conditions are met. This provides greater security and reduces the risk of fraud and default.

Conclusion

Decentralized finance is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to transform the financial industry. By eliminating intermediaries, increasing accessibility, increasing transparency, providing more control over personal data, offering greater flexibility, enabling faster settlement times, and reducing counterparty risk, DeFi provides numerous benefits that traditional financial systems cannot match. As DeFi continues to evolve, it has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system that benefits individuals and communities around the world.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Investing in decentralized finance (DeFi) and cryptocurrencies involves risk and may result in significant financial losses. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek the advice of a financial professional before investing in DeFi or cryptocurrencies. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of investing in DeFi or cryptocurrencies.