If economies do falter further or go into free fall there are a two basic outcomes; unemployment will increase as companies tighten their belts or collapse and talented people in secure jobs will want to stay put.

At the same time, firms will be left with no choice but to do more with less and become inventive and creative (with little budget) to keep good people.

What’s left of 2008 and for at least the whole of 2009 will be a time for reflection for a lot of people.

Did we simply get too greedy?

Are we who and where we want to be?

Did we really sign up for this? 

We’ll all take stock of where we are to one degree or another.  Some people will take time off and disappear to foreign fields or their gardens.  Others will try to enhance their skills by self-studying. A few brave souls will consider finally committing to that big idea, that dream that they’ve been putting off for too long.

We’ve all longed for simpler, more fulfilling lives for years – maybe, just maybe 2009 is that year?