Tough times separate the heros from the zeros.

Business by Design suggests how to cope when your problems rise and profits fall.

+ Troubled Times
So, you're in a slump.

Sales are down, bills are piling up, projects are ending, the phone's not ringing, contracts are falling through, you're losing out on bids, the calendar's empty.

Business stinks, and you're disappointed. And depressed. And desperate.

Welcome to the down side of design. It's no different than any other business, really. Sometimes you get the bear, other times the bear gets you. It's not fair or fun, but it's fact.

What you have here isn't a problem. It's a test.

It's a test of your will, persistence, and courage.

It's a test that many design professionals fail. They give in to the pressure, give up the struggle and quit.

You have no time for that.

You have no time--now--to feel sorry for yourself, to compare yourself to others, to regret past mistakes and fear future ones. You have no time--now--for soul searching and pity parties.

This is no time to be a worry wart. It's time to be a hero.

Those I admire most are not the designers and architects and window fashion professionals and industry partners who were successful from the get-go.

I respect them.

To me, the real heros are those who rose to the top after rebounding from setbacks, mistakes, lousy breaks, physical challenges, family problems, financial loss, or any of life's other hardships.

They fell down. They stood up. They pushed on. And they never, ever gave up.

+Ditch the Doldrums
So what's it going to take to begin your hero's journey and break out of your slump?

Time.

This is the time to:

Dig Deep. It's easy to believe in yourself when you're at the top of your game. It's more important when you're not.

Determine the Destination. Decide what it will take to bounce back, and set goals for achieving it.

Start Dialin.' Set aside an hour each day to call prospects, clients, ex-clients, industry contacts, and mentors.

Think Fast. Decide what you can do to create the most immediate income with the least amount of effort.

Think Back. Recall past successes in overcoming obstacles.

Stay Fit. Exercising your body frees your mind.

Stay Positive. Motivational books and tapes work wonders.

Reward yourself. Treat yourself along the road to recovery. You're a hero. You deserve it.