It's August 18th ...and The Living Isn't That Easy

It's August 18 in whatever hot (weather -- not status) town that you live. That means -- well, it doesn't mean much. It used to denote the last week of work until Labor Day. But heck you know that's not true anymore! I will stop tweeting for a time in order to write a full paragraph or two. We are in the midst of a serious downturn, not one of those pikers like we had in 2001 or 1997. It's really bad out there.

How do you actually know it's bad? UPS delivers at 9 a.m. on a Saturday when they have until 3 p.m. Park Avenue is NOT riddled with cars at 4 p.m. on any weekday. When you go to the airport, it seems like early morning no matter what time of day it is. Your daily newspaper is having a pledge drive! And finally, all the local shops are closing one at a freaking time! It's bad.

If none of that is proof try this: 91 percent more Chapter 11 bankruptcies than the whole of last year were filed so far in '09. Face it. So let's get down to business. Last year I wrote about all the terrific things we could do before we left town, because usually, we go away now and put our collective head in the sand for a while. Can't do that now -- damn. Since we are used to doing very little during this time of year, I guess it's time to relearn how to cope with The August Midsummer Blues.

With that I introduce you to -- what to do in the last few weeks of August in the year 2009:

1. Write some proposals, even if you are not the guy or gal who actually does that. It can't hurt to spruce up your writing a little, can it? One of them might actually get used. You could land that next big "account" or whatever it is you land.
2. Clean up your desk. (No more "Yes, mother, I will!") You definitely don't need half of what is buried in there. Make sure to shred and recycle. Pretend you live in Oregon...
3. "Suck up" a little. Your boss is the best. Really. So let her know. Be gentle here -- placating isn't really great.
4. Learn something about your customers. The Internet doesn't take the summer off. It is incredible what a thorough Googling can teach you. Better yet, talk to them, ask the tough questions.
5. Improve one skill. Grammar is my favorite. Commit to learning the difference between "its" and "it's." Or, frisbee is a possibility.
6. Impress yourself. Do a difficult thing and be surprised how well you do it. You are probably smarter than you think.
7. Get off Facebook and learn how to make a phone call. Social nets are great for sharing what you're doing and thinking and clicking, but comment threads are not the place to have a conversation. Pick up the PDA and talk into it. Long distance is included in the fee!
8. Ask someone if they need advice or assistance or -- gee, can you do it for them? Do it carefully. Unsolicited advice can be felt annoying. Just make it known that you are a willing and able resource, or have become one.
9. Send someone something via our United States Postal Service (it's 44 cents cause of Obama being POTUS #44). This is tough since it requires you to assemble a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp. Wow, all that in real time? Get yourself into a time machine and give it a try.
10. Figure out why the hell you are not as famous as you should be. For that, I can really be of service. But it may cost you a few week's pay.

So that's it... I'm done with the list for August. Remember to keep busy, stay hydrated, call your parents, wear sun block, read a little Vonnegut, and call me in September -- wait till after the 7th.

Follow Richard Laermer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/laermer