You would not know there was supposed to be a recession by looking at the waiting area at Mimi’s restaurant on a Sunday morning.  There was a 45 minute wait for a table.  Now I don’t know about you but I do not enjoy waiting to be seated and then waiting a long time to be served.  That is not my idea of a good time.  So I have created an alternative. 

One of the advantages of having a business partner that is a true catalyst for transformations is that, from time to time, I actually listen to his counsel.  He always challenges me to consider the possibility that what appears to be the way it is does not have to be that way for me.    In the face of brick walls he sees places to walk through.  In the face of what seems to be a 45 minute wait for everyone else he finds away to be seated immediately. 

Now I am not quite as bold as my partner however I have taken his wisdom to heart.  I have created a sort of “partnership” with one of their managers.  I have a special diet which means that my order is not found on their menu.   I have one of three different meals (all of which include items that exist on their menu however are rarely combined).   Since, when I am not on the road, I go to Mimi’s frequently I wanted to create a user friendly way of getting exactly the meal that I want, wait no more than a couple of minutes to get it, and then take it home with me so that I can eat by the side of my pond rather than in a noisy restaurant. 

Ed, the manager, and I have created an arrangement.  We have identified the three different meals that I am likely to order.  Given each one a “name” and an agreed upon price and posted the entries on a separate card titled:  Nikki’s Meals.  When I call in an order I refer to Nikki’s meals and tell them which number I want.  They let me know how long it will take.  I leave the house at such a time that all I do is walk in with the exact amount (including a generous tip) pick up the bag of lunch and go back home. 

I have repeated this same process with several institutions that I do business with.  In other words I am creating what I want on my terms rather than being subservient to the status quo. 

Consider in today’s ecconomic environment what possibilities exist for you that your current mindset can not see.  Life does not have to be a struggle if you have the willingness to think outside the norm