Make peace with what you can and can not control. We have no influence on government bailouts, corporate bankruptcy, the housing market, layoffs, or the stock market. You can lose sleep for months at a time and it's not going to change a thing. But that doesn't stop us from worrying about it and getting upset. The problem is we spend all that energy draining ourselves of the strength we need to navigate these treacherous waters. If you were whitewater rafting and got caught in some turbulent rapids, threw up your arms and started yelling "Oh, no, this is terrible, we’re going to sink!" You probably would flip because you'd be using energy you need to paddle out of it. Stop worrying and start paddling.

First, write every worry you have regarding how the economy is and may be affecting you on separate pieces of paper until you have a pile of papers. Now, divide them up into two piles,

• "I have influence over this"
• "I have no influence over this."

Take each piece of paper from the second pile and scrunch it up real tight and throw it in the "bleep"-it-bucket (any trash can will do.) Didn't that feel good? You can repeat this as many times as you need.

Finally, take the notes from the first pile and make a list of things you can begin doing or stop doing for each item you do have influence over. Start and stop those things.

Fall in love with performing your work well. I heard the eye rolling. I'm serious. The Thrivers I studied all had this in common. They enjoyed the experience of doing their job well. Let me tell you, it wasn't because they had exciting jobs. One woman I interviewed is a nurse recruiter and she said, "It wouldn't matter what I do, I just like the feeling of doing a good job."

There is a hidden joy in discovering the sheer pleasure of finding ways to improve the quality of your work. Say, you are a customer service representative, try paying more attention to your tone of voice, do you sound like a robot? Are there more sophisticated questions you could be asking to surface the underlying issues? Any job can be done better, cheaper, faster, or be more fun. Take your job on a second honeymoon. When you first took this job, what excited you most about it?

The key to this is that you do it for one purpose: because it is more satisfying to you to perform well. Obviously, there may be added benefits, but see above. . .you don't have direct influence over that. So, enjoy for your own sake!

Do Something!

• If you've been laid off, do something every day to make a contact, look into courses to strengthen your skill set, do research, send out thank you notes to people who have given you information, make up some new business cards, you know what to do, just keep doing it and don't let up. Don't worry if it's the right thing or the best thing to do, just do something!
• If you are still working and not sure how long its going to last, polish up your resume, reconnect with people in your industry, and get on some social networks like Facebook or MySpace.

Consider opening a line of credit, since it's easier to do when you are working. You can have it as a precaution. While you have health benefits, ask your doctor to prescribe extra prescriptions and get them filled. Go to the doctor and get all your checkups and any tests you may need.

All of us can be more frugal. We can start asking what we really need and what we can go without. Examine every purchase with an eye for whether or not we need it, can get away with a less expensive version, have coupons or a deal we can take advantage of. Become the "Negotiator." Call credit card companies, your oil company, the mortgage company, and tell them you are considering another vendor and want to discuss rates, payment schedule, and any programs to restructure payment they may have to lessen the burden.

For the love of God, lighten up! Trust you will have what you need when you need it. The mind is wired to anticipate potential danger, but it can lock us into fretful thinking. In my work as a training facilitator, I see so many people dragging their work life around like a soaking wet down-filled blanket! They complain and wear these long faces. Instead, be quick to enjoy a laugh with a colleague, approach your day with a playful attitude, and don’t let "professionalism" rob you of being your real self.

A CFO I interviewed is a base player for the "Grateful Dads." He's an itunes addict. He delivered the financial report at the stock holder's meeting to the tune of "Do You Like Pina Coladas?" Another client I was working with makes a point to wear fun, colorful ties everyday. "There’s enough black and beige around this place," he says.

Attitudes are highly contagious, negative and positive. How can you bring warm humor and color to your work life?