COMMENT: live for today

Bob Young, managing director of Capital Home Loans, offers some wise words for the credit crunch survivors.
At this point in the economic cycle, and one year on from the collapse of Lehman Brothers, one can’t help think of The Byrds and their song, ‘Turn, Turn, Turn – ‘To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn.’*

It’s quite obvious that the financial world has been turned on its head, and the movement – particularly from the market we had back in the early part of 2007 – has been swift, staggering and ongoing.

Towards the end of 2007, I was asked to address a major network with a view of the ‘Credit Crunch’ from a lenders’ perspective. Sadly for most involved in the industry, most of my predictions have come true. The key message was that life was going to change for all of us and the next few years would be all about survival. I was also convinced that we would see a considerable ‘cull’ of companies and individuals with – unfortunately – some very talented people left without jobs simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time as the music stopped.

Last year I fended off the question many journalists and industry contacts kept asking – that being when the market would ‘return to normal’. My response was always the same, the market we have today is the ‘new normal’ and there will certainly be no return to the ‘good old days’ of 2006.

It’s difficult for us all to accept this new environment but there is absolutely no point in railing against it you may feel a few brief minutes of satisfaction, however that will soon pass as you realise that still nothing will have changed.

Change is relentless in the world we now occupy however although we can adapt to change (some better than others), change is not something that sits comfortably with the human condition. The status quo is a much more comfortable state of affairs for many it is easily understood and means that we don’t have to work out any new rules.

At the next industry awards ceremony, I shall look at people I don’t know getting awards from people I don’t know for achieving, well frankly not a lot if truth be told. It’s not hard to be the lender of choice when there so few lenders in the market to choose from.

So, what’s the point of this? Well, the world continues to turn despite the disruption to all of us in the mortgage industry. Opportunities do exist but they will only go to the most able and motivated people and companies – there is no God given right to success.

To help in finding and securing these opportunities, below are some wise words that may see you through and help you through the change:

1.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtCome earlier, leave later, work harder.
2.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtYou may well work for less and, if so, accept the new circumstances with a smile&mdasheven if it kills you inside.
3.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtVolunteer to do more, offer added value to everyone.
4.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtDig deep and always bring a good attitude to work.
5.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtFake it if your good attitude flags.
6.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtTake better than usual care of yourself&mdashphysical well-being determines mental well-being and helps you deal with stress.
7.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtShrug off the bullshit that flows downhill in your direction&mdashbuy a shovel or a second hand raincoat on eBay.
8.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtTry to forget about ‘the good old days’&mdashnostalgia is self-destructive.
9.&ltspan class=&quotApple-tab-span&quot style=&quotwhite-space:pre&quot&gt &lt/span&gtCheer yourself up with the thought that ‘this too will pass’&mdashbut then remind yourself that it might not pass any time soon, and so work on making the absolute best of what you have now.

The world has truly turned in the last couple of years and it is likely to keep on shifting. It is time we lived in the moment – only then will be truly able to make the most of now.

*Bizarrely, for those interested in such things, go to YouTube and search for ‘The Byrds ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’ from 1966′ – you will find a video of the band playing the song while all sat on horses!