“In this economy…” has become a commonplace excuse for failure.

“In this economy my kids will have to share a Happy Meal.”
“In this economy I can’t afford to ask for a raise.”
“In this economy the terrorists have already won.”

But whining gets old very quickly. I (like many) was laid off by the crap economy. After going through the cliché stages of denial, anger, sadness, and acceptance, I found myself at a new stage… inspiration.

I took the time as an opportunity to enjoy the nice weather, slow down my life a bit, go back to cooking elaborate meals for two, take in the arts, rejuvenate, and then started my own company. I have appreciated seeing others in similar situations—not because of my self-diagnosed schadenfreude—quite the opposite. They didn’t waste time blaming others for their misfortune. They grabbed a pencil, started sketching, and made something.

Lemonade is a documentary created by Eric Proulx with the tag “it’s not a pink slip, it’s a blank page” all about people pursuing their dreams, but only after getting canned.

John Morefield started selling Architecture for 5 cents at the farmer’s market. Then he made $50k from jobs he picked up while interacting with those 5 cent customers, and publicity from a NY Times article.

Way back when, I took an architecture course at CCAC, in Oakland. It was a pretty flexible class, with little restrictions, and most of my designs were mediocre, at best. But then our final project was assigned. The limitations were astounding, and the class was in a huff (including myself). Small space, no skylights, limited materials, and many other excuses we could use to deliver crap. But that’s not how it played out. The limitations proved to help me, giving my otherwise unfocused thoughts focus. Once I accepted the boundaries given, I was able to create my best work.

That how I see the current financial situation. We can either sit around complaining about all the woes, or we can accept our limitations and start creating our next CNN, MTV, Trader Joe’s, GE, FedEx, IHOP, or One Long House (all started in recessions).

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