Stick our necks out? Now?

I admit - the news out there is decidedly mixed. On the plus side: The pace of layoffs is slowing. There seems to be some consensus that the economy is starting to rebound; as of this writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is re-approaching 10,000, and leading economic indicators have been trending upward for several months. Anecdotally, a few of my clients are landing jobs. On the flip side: Employers in general are not exactly picking up their pace of hiring. The job market is incredibly tight, New York Times reporting that there are 6 unemployed people for every job opening. Some economists are saying that it could be a sluggish, shaky recovery, with fits and starts.

Given the uncertain outlook, what to do? My view: it's time to step out more in pursuit of progress. Simple things like:

• Get out from behind that computer. Meet folks face to face. Reach out by phone instead of email.
• Attend the networking or professional meeting that you've missed for months. Make new contacts.
• Make those calls you've been thinking of making, but have been hesitating....
• Speak up. Ask for something you want. State your opinion. Disagree (politely).
• Express yourself more fully, more confidently. Find (or re-find) your voice. Let other people see/hear the unique value you have to offer.
• Sign up for a project out of your comfort zone. Offer to help someone out, even if you don't know what you're doing. Push the boundaries on your personal and professional development.

It seems to me that there are two big benefits if we stick ourselves out there a bit more right now. On a personal level, we can rekindle our old confident spirits (remember those?), create some new momentum, and - especially - be better poised for the economic upswing.

Just as importantly, I think our collective economic progress depends on our individual/personal progress. If we each stick our necks out, we just may all move forward.