By Jean Hollands

Jean on the Job

The economy is frightening and it’s hurting us all. Nothing seems certain. Frail people fall back under conditions like this.

I was recently interviewed by Time magazine about what I thought about the new findings in hormone replacement therapy.

I replied that it was like everything else in my life. Nothing is certain - not my son’s 401k from Enron, not some financial institutions, not Amtrak, not my medical health. But I will take one step at a time, one breath at a time and keep on keeping on.

Hardy folks keep moving. We have known for years the answer to minor depression has always been - just do something.

Make a phone call, write a letter, clean your closets, mow the lawn, move your body into a new position.

The hardy human being shifts with his surroundings, always looking to make lemonade.

What is your own personal hardiness factor? Do you stumble and then hide? Do you whimper and lay back? Or can you brush yourself off and get creative?

Joint Ventures Silicon Valley gathered hundreds of people - such as Lew Platt, Regis McKenna and Carl Guardino - together last month to declare that the answer to our economic downturn would be the next wave of innovation, probably happening right here in our valley, right here before our eyes.

Help make that happen by putting on your out-of-the-box hat and be as innovative as you can possibly be.

My company has decided to do a 15-year turnaround, counseling individuals again, instead of just corporate referrals. We are also announcing retro-pricing of 15 years ago.

Will this save our business? Our enthusiasm for working with old clients who used us for personal dilemmas is infusing adrenaline again. Endorphins rise with good thoughts.

Jean A. Hollands, CEO, Growth & Leadership Center, author of “Same Game Different Rules - How to Get Ahead Without Being a Bully Broad, Ice Queen or ‘Ms. Understood’,” was voted Business Woman of the Year in 1986 and 1996. Write to GLC, 1451 Grant Road, Mountain View, 94040.