By Tom Richard

When I was only ten years old, I remember waking up early one day to go fishing with my father at our family's cabin in Grayling, Michigan. When we arrived at the dock, my heart sank with the sight of about three inches of water in our small fishing boat from the heavy rain the night before.

Many other fishermen were bailing out their boats with small buckets; I frowned at the thought of doing the same. My father smiled and simply told me to go ahead and get into the boat. I asked what we were going to do about the water in the boat. "We're going to pull the plug out," he said, "and the water will drain out of the back. Just wait until I tell you when."

It seemed like a bad idea at the time, but my father pulled the cord on the old, outboard motor, and we headed straight for the middle of the lake. As the craft picked up speed, the front of the boat lifted up into the air and all of the water rushed to the stern. My father's command came with nearly a foot of water in the back of the boat: "Okay, pull the plug out now!"

I did what I was told reluctantly and pulled out the plug. To my amazement, the water inside the boat started draining right out of the plug. While I tried to reconcile what I was seeing, my father simply looked straight ahead on his way to the best fishing spot on the lake.

Many of our businesses and careers have taken on water due to the heavy rains caused by the current recession. There are two ways to respond: you can manually bail the water from your boat, or you can power up to full throttle and get back to catching fish. Unlike a casual fishing trip, leaving your business idle will sink your boat. Only those who have the faith and courage to increase their speed will be able to get to the best water.

In a deep recession, you do not have the luxury of calling for more internal meetings and extra planning to see how you can minimize the damage of a changing business environment. You cannot plan your way out of this recession; however, you can sell your way out of any situation.

Understand that the economy is not bad; there is evidence everywhere that companies and people are making money. The economy is simply strange because everything we thought we knew has changed. We must simply focus on the business truth that never changes: staying true to your values as an individual and company will see you through difficult times even amid widespread panic. Recognize this as a manager, and you will be able to get your ship up to speed even in the worst storms.

Remember that, even in this economy, your product or service helps people. This means that you are traveling in a sound craft; all that is eluding you is pure speed. Speed up by getting yourself in front of more people that can be helped by what you offer. Realize that, with your competitors stuck in the dock, there are even more fish available than usual. Find new customers, find new ways to use your product, find new ways to connect with people who can say yes to you. Trust your proven vessel, and fix your gaze on the profits ahead.

With a sound ship, sound business principles, and enough speed, you won't even have time to notice that everything has corrected itself. You won't notice because instead of wondering how you are going to bail out your boat, you'll be looking ahead with a smile on your face as everything falls into place. While others watch their boats sink, you'll be reeling in fish from the best spot on the lake.