And You Can Too!

Yes, You can survive (and even thrive) no matter what our economy dishes out IF you build a good support network

I’ll never forget the words my News Director said in January that would change my world forever, “We don’t know if we can renew your contract. It depends on the economy.” What?! I remember being numb. He can’t mean ME?! In my mind, I rationalized a lot of things:

1) I’ve done the 5pm news at KTUL-TV for almost 12 years and have won awards! (Just look… they’re on my mantel!)

2) Most viewers love me! (Those are the only ones I chose to listen to anyway.)

3) I constantly work 20 years of contacts in Oklahoma for EXCLUSIVE stories. (That single word alone usually brings chill bumps to any News Director.)

4) I make more appearances than any other anchor here! (Well, that’s mainly because I can’t say “no,” but it still counts!)

5) I even help mentor our young, green journalists! (Oh God, have I trained MY replacement?!)

But the facts are the facts. Our station had already suffered two big layoffs and mandatory pay cuts. (TV stations around the country are having a hard time as viewership declines due to news on the internet, hundreds of cable choices, and busy lives plus now advertisers are cutting commercial budgets because of the economy.) So, I could bury my head in the sand and believe my reputation would ensure my job or I could look at the facts and realize my contract was simply expiring at a bad time. The later meant I would somehow have to find the courage for ‘Project: Reinvent Cindy’. Forced to do that at mid life, did I really have that much strength?

After the “what?!” came the “what now?” Did I even know how to do anything else? I was a journalism major and never even had a class in the businesses school during college! Plus, I’d spent 20 years in TV News. I can handle live breaking news on the anchor set with ease and can write the heck out of any story (remember the awards on my mantel?), but ask me to do a business plan (or a simple math problem for that matter) and I break out in a sweat! But, what honestly scared me the most? Breaking out of my comfort zone and taking a huge risk all alone. There is an AT&T commercial where people are walking in a field (a herd of sheep, basically) saying “bah bah bah.” Well, in the commercial, two guys decide to jump the fence and take the better deal with AT&T. I totally identify with that commercial. That was me! I was happy being a sheep, getting my paycheck and staying with the herd. (Bah…!) Well , when my life changed on a dime because of the economy, it was my family along with my network of Girlfriends who showed me it’s okay to find my new place outside the herd because apparently Corporate America is having lamb chops for dinner! Does something in your life threaten to serve you up as the next meal?  I’ll tell you right now, if you don’t have a strong Girlfriends Support Network, it is time to one that can help you can survive anything in our changing times, including a very public layoff.

My parents are extremely supportive but they live in Texas. My husband is my rock and my BEST friend, but let’s face it, there’s only so much he can put on his shoulders 24/7. So, I believe you must build a  Girlfriends Network that can make you a “10″ and get you (& your family) through hard times. In the end, it was my true Friends who picked me up like Humpty Dumpty and put me back together again. (Unfortunately, there wasn’t a dang plastic surgeon among them, but I digress.) And this support system didn’t just help me, they kept my husband calm (That’s HUGE!) plus they helped my children deal with my tears, fears and life changes. It truly does take a village these days.

So, how do you build that kind of support network? First you need to dump the Wanna Bes. I believe that becoming a true and trusted Girlfriend is something you learn and earn over time.I know as I get wiser (using the word “older” involves Botox), I learn to be a better mom, wife, worker and Girlfriend. Many times that is because of the influence of my tried and true Girlfriends Network. On the other hand, a bad girlfriend (notice NO capitalization) can be a cancer that can or will at least try to destroy you. Emotional vampires WILL suck you dry and you know who I’m talking about – Suzi Sabatoge, Helen Hater, Debbie Downer, Nancy Needy. If you have one of these women in your life, run do not walk to the nearest exit. That’s right, if you can tell your so-called girlfriend is not really a FGirlfiend (with capitalization) then they have no room in your life.

Next, look at your Girlfiend Network as your unofficial board of directors. These are the people who will call a spade a spade, help you build your life of success, pick you up and dust you off if you fall, and will tell you to quit whining when you’re out of control.  I have my friends who know all about business and are willing to share because they believe helping others succeed will in turn make them successful. (NOTE: Friendship is NOT a competition!) I have my Girlfriends who I can call when I’m down or needing a pick-me-up. There are my Girlfriends who are my lifesavers when it comes to helping raise my children while I struggle with reinvention. So, take an inventory of who you can lean on, talk to, and trust.

Also, don’t overlook networking to help you find even more Girlfriends. Sometimes we get caught up in the boundries of our town or lives. I know I did! But as I gained confidence, I began to use connections, social media (Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn) and other networking tools to expand my Friend base. For example, when I learned about the National Speakers Association, I joined. What a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of  the best in the business! I am now able to call any number of successful speakers for advice, answers and mentoring. Your Girlfriends are more than your next-door-neighbors, fellow PTA parents and co-workers. To truly survive this economy, you need a diverse Girlfriend Support System that can help you reach new heights.

Here’s where I feel compelled to say that some of my best Girlfriends are GUYS. Mark my words: Guyfriends are the new Girlfriend. Remember, you are trying to pick the best board of directors possible  and stretching a bit out of your comfort zone. So if you pick your inner circle on gender alone, you’re missing out. One of my dearest Guyfriends is the mayor of Oklahoma City. We became best buddies while anchoring the morning and noon show for years in OKC. That was more than 12 years ago and to this day, we talk almost weekly. Why wouldn’t he be one of my nearest and dearest Friends? He’s one of the smartest, most caring people I know. My select Guyfriends are men I (and my husband) trust in every way possible which, of course, really puts them in the Girlfriend catagory.

So, here’s how to build a better Girlfriends Support Network:
Dump the Wanna Bes and the Emotional Vampires NOW!
Create a Girlfriends Network that operates almost like a board of directors to keep you successful in every part of your life
Challenge yourself to expand that Friend Base past your usual comfort zone — including select Guyfriends

With the help of my Girlfriends, I spent months laying the groundwork and networking to start a new career. They encouraged me to write a book (about to be published!), hit the nati
onal speaking circuit (which I start in July) and even start my own business (done!). They shared incredible contacts, branding information and the confidence to do things I (& my family) had never dreamed of 6 months before. And you know what? When I finally learned my contract would, in deed, not be renewed, I was not bitter or full of hate and rage. Instead, I was actually relieved. My Girlfriends help me realize all my years at KTUL-TV helped make me part of who I am, and I would never have so many exciting opportunities if I hadn’t spent 12 years there. (My Friends also reminded me the layoff was the perfect ending to my book about building a support network to survive these changing times. Who knew I’d be smiling about that?!) Yes, I’m blessed with an incredible family but they were often too close to see the bigger picture. My Friends made sure my husband and kids weathered this storm, all the while helping me find a strength I never knew I had, talents I’d never tapped, and dreams I can’t wait to conquer. I challenge you to upgrade your Girlfriends Network so they can help you survive money problems, divorce, layoffs or anything else that may come your way in this economy.

Cindy W. Morrison is an Emmy award winning TV Broadcaster with 20 years experience in the news business. When hard economic times lead to a layoff, Cindy reinvented herself by creating her own business, writing a book and hitting the speaking circuit. Her goal is to empower others to reboot and upgrade their support system to not only survive but thrive in these changing times. She’s a member of the prestigious National Speaker’s Association and her new book, Girlfriends 2.0, will be available this Fall.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Cindy spent a dozen years as the nightly news anchor and lead investigative reporter in Tulsa, OK. Before that, she spent nearly a decade as an anchor and reporter in Oklahoma City. The veteran journalist covered such major stories such as the OKC bombing and the 51-day cult standoff in Waco, Texas for stations across the country including Good Morning America. During her TV career, Cindy won an Emmy, Peabody and Gracie Allen Award along with many statewide honors for her groundbreaking investigations.

Tags: books, business, economy, friends, jobs, layoffs, security