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

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. Here's what to do in the last weeks of August in 2009.
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PR Dude

PR Dude
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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.

  • 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...

  • "Suck up" a little. Your boss is the best. Really. So let her know. Be gentle here -- placating isn't really great.

  • 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.

  • Improve one skill. Grammar is my favorite. Commit to learning the difference between "its" and "it's." Or, frisbee is a possibility.

  • Impress yourself. Do a difficult thing and be surprised how well you do it. You are probably smarter than you think.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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