Now what? 10 things you can do now that the elections are over.
The elections are over. Some folks are very happy with the way things turned out and some are not happy at all. I am one of those folks who isn’t all that happy about it. However, it doesn’t matter how I feel about the elections. Why? Because the elections are over. Behind us. In the past. One more time: OVER! You can’t change the results. Pissing and moaning won’t change a thing. Over analyzing what went wrong won’t do much for you either. And posting about it on facebook certainly isn’t going to help. It’s time to stop focusing on the election because the election is in the past. Many will tell you that it is now time to look toward the future. Sounds good. People have been saying that and folks sure seem to respond well to that message. I guess that’s a fine message if that is how you think. It’s not how I think. I don’t live in the past and I don’t focus much on the future. I live in the present. I understand that the only way to create the future I want is to do the right things, right now, every day. That’s what I am going to encourage you to do: Do the right thing today so you can live well tomorrow. Here are then suggestions for you to do now that the election is over:
1. Move on. To stay stuck in the election whether your guy won or lost is pointless. It will only take up useful energy that you could be using for more important activities.
2. Remember this: Changing politicians and changing government comes about only after we change ourselves. Fix yourself first. Our politicians and government are reflections of us as individuals. We need more good people doing the right thing every single day in order for things in our society to change. Live each day with more integrity and with a stronger work ethic and with a renewed commitment to doing the right thing regardless of what everyone else is doing.
3. Find common ground. Not just with those you differ with politically, but with everyone. None of us operate completely independent of everyone else. We need each other. Find common ground with others and build on it. Show some understanding. Be kind. Be respectful. That doesn’t mean you have to compromise your beliefs at all and it is not a sign of weakness. It just means that we can disagree with each other in a reasonable manner while looking for solutions so we can all get a bit of what we want.
4. Take responsibility. This mess we find ourselves in is our own fault. We allowed it to happen. People will get by with whatever they can get by with. It’s human nature. We have allowed people and politicians to get by with too much. But that is our fault, not theirs. Stop blaming others and become involved. If you don’t like things, then get involved and work from the inside to fix things. Sitting on your couch and typing divisive hate speech about others only adds to the problem. We made this mess – all of it – and we must all take responsibility for it and work to fix it.
5. Take care of yourself. Stop expecting the government to come to the rescue. Yes, I know that about half of the country does expect it, but you don’t have to be one of them. Become self-reliant, self-sufficient and rely on your SELF. Your future is up to you and you alone; not your government, your company, your union, or other citizens. Just you. Take control of your life and take care of yourself.
6. Get your finances in order. I believe the US is in big trouble financially. Our debt is out of control and we borrow 40% of every dollar our government spends and we are only going to spend more in the future. This trend simply cannot sustain itself. At some point, it has to fall apart and at some point, I believe it will. At some point, when you need the government for retirement, healthcare or other services, you may come up short. That means that it is up to you to take care of yourself. Do these two things: Pay off debt as fast as you can. Stash as much cash away as you possibly can. Emergencies happen and most people are not prepared financially. 40% of Americans have less than $500 saved. Don’t be one of them.
7. Prepare. We have all just seen how long it takes the government to respond in a disaster. FEMA and the Red Cross can’t get there quickly enough to help everyone. Have at least 72 hours of food set aside. Have a case of water per person set aside. Have the ability to cook on a small camping stove. Have a crank operated radio. Have a flashlight. Be able to protect yourself, your family and your property. This is not whacko survivalist stuff – this is common sense.
8. Know your neighbors. If things get bad, you need some alliances. It’s all part of being prepared. Have discussions about being prepared and have a plan to work together “just in case.”
9. Work. When you go to work, work. When you are known as the person who is always working when you are at work, we call that ‘job security.’ I believe that the job market is going to be in trouble for a good long while. You need to keep the job you have. You don’t have to like it, love it, enjoy it or plan to do it forever, but you need to appreciate it and do what you are paid to do. You need your job. Hang on to it.
10. Stay optimistic. What goes up must come down. Yin and yang. The pendulum swings back and forth. In other words, things change. We are a resilient bunch. We will survive all of this and more. Yes, it might look much different on the other side than it does right now but that is probably a good thing. If you are prepared, open to change, know how to recognize opportunities and seize the moment, and are willing to work hard all while staying committed to the principles of honesty and integrity, you will be fine. Hold to that. Never give up on that.
I wish you all the best. Now, I am going to do more of each of the things on this list!
Larry Winget
Good advice as always
Thanks for this Larry. Lots of very useful suggestions. I agree with pretty much everything you say except no. 3. There’s just no way I could see myself making common ground with someone who voted for Obama. How could I possibly have a dialogue about anything with someone who hates me? Let’s face it, the Obamabots hate conservatives. They don’t want to talk to us, and I really don’t want to talk to them, other than to say “Suck it, Lib.”
I totally agree. We are drowning in debt and the phoney in chief is still handing out the liberal koolaide that is destroying and will finally push the greatest nation into the muck of .desperation for government handouts.
I’m going to assume that you are a Christian, as am I. If I am wrong, I apologize. The people who voted for the President have made you angry. Forgive them. Pray for them. Love them. Get together with them and help them change. It is the Christian thing to do.
@Grace This country was in a mess during the Bush years. No one said a word about his inability to be honest or lead the country. I detect there is a deeper reason for your anger. Deal with the fact that the demographics of this country and its leadership are changing.
Thanks Larry for your words of wisdom. I needed that message. Thank you for all you do!
Same advice to give after any LCE (life changing event) divorce etc. Very good.
Thanks Larry! I have been following some of your advice (working on following more) for a while now. I find myself better equipped when handling situations that would normally “derail” me. I really hope that your advice on moving on resonates with others as it does with me. Let’s move on and count on YOU to take care of YOU. Thanks again!
Larry,
Your counsel is sound. I have printed out the statements and placed them near my spin bike, where I am working on creating a new, slimmer me…
Barbara
Today is a new day. I am responsible for my life, not the President. I have designed a life of my own creation that is greatly unaffected by whomever the political leaders of our great nation are. So should you. Focus on what you want to create.
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
Great advice Jill and Larry, thank you. Feeling a bit down today over the election results but will take what wrote to heart! We really do have more control over our thoughts and lives more than we may know. And we’re not alone in our feelings today, there are millions of like minded people with us. God bless you and our fantastic country. Press on everyone!
We are not happy w the results of elections either. If the idiots who voted for the impostor were 50% ….then theres only a 50%
of us listening to your sage advice
That is part of the problem. Please don’t take this the wrong way as I understand why you would be upset over the results, but Why call someone an idiot simply because they do not agree with your politics. I voted for Obama and I certainly do not call people “idiots” who voted otherwise. In the end, government can only do so much–we have to take control of our own lives and I believe that was the gist of Larry’s article.
Thanks Gina. I too voted for the President and I’m certainly not an idiot. It’s time for us to move on as a country and work together as Americans. Name calling from either side won’t advance us as a society or as a nation.
It certainly won’t–I am willing to listen to anyone’s opinion that differs from mine with an open mind–no name calling necessary. No one person or group has all of the answers–now all sides working together would be great, but it still would not work out if individuals do not take personal responsibility. A good example is the housing market debacle–yes, banks should have been a lot more restrictive in choosing who to give out loans to, but the individual who made the decision to buy a home knowing he or she can’t pay for it is equally, if not, more responsible for that decision.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Well stated!
This is the single best thing I have read all day. The division this election has created is horrible, we all need to put in perspective the real things we can change. Personal responsibility…love it.
I agree!!!!
Thanks, I needed that!
What I love most about Larry’s messages is that I can HEAR him reading them. This one is dead-on, priceless. Great message as always, delivered right between the eyes, common sense that’s sadly become too uncommon.
Come on, America, it’s time to put our big boy pants on and do something good for ourselves and our neighbors.
WELL SAID
I did all I could do, I supported my candidates and voted. While not happy with the result, dweling on it is not productive,
Rick S. You missed Larry’s point entirely. You are the people that put a stand still to this country.
Yeah I’m not crazy about how the election turned out but it’s over. My comment to Pres Obamma would be “OK you won now get busy doing what you said you we’re going to do and no more whinning about your predecessor from over 4 years ago”
Congress and the American people need to get busy too. He can’t do it alone. There’s a reason why Congress has all time low ratings.
Excellent advice – some of your BEST!
It’s said that people generally get the government they deserve. Apparently, as a people, “we” currently want a government that use taxpayers’ money to buy the votes of those who don’t contribute.
Only 45.9% of the population works.
Less than half of household pay any income tax.
Thanks to deficit spending each of us owes $3,000 to $4,000 more each year.
But if only 1% more of the electorate knew or cared about these things, there would have been a different outcome.
We as a people and as individuals need to realize that all we can control is ourselves, our attitudes, and our actions. I admit that I also spent time in mourning over the results of the national election, but I finally realized there is nothing I can do to change the immediate outcome and that I was spending precious time feeding on the negative energy people were putting out there. When I quit feeling sorry for myself, I decided that I was not going to participate in the pity party anymore and I was not going to let the losers that voted to keep their welfare checks coming every month hold me back.
I am going to do everything in my power to make every day count and to make progress daily in being the best me and advancing my financial, family, spiritual and business interests. Anybody that wants to go forward with me is welcome; those who aren’t, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!
I love this post Larry. As individuals, we all need to see what we can contribute; what we intend to do about our individual situations and quit waiting for someone to bail us out. We are responsible for bailing ourselves out of the mess we got ourselves into.
Insightful as always Larry !!!. . . You rock !!!
I’d like add to #9, if I may: The job you have might still be in jeopardy. Businesses fail, owners retire, companies downsize or get bought out. Look at your hobbies and skills and see what you can turn into a secondary source of income, and look for opportunities. Who knows, you might become an employer rather than an employee!
Insightful advice. Negativity drains, positivity promotes. Becoming yourself, + self-motivation + vision is most important. Being a servant leader is the way forward.