This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Could Be Better, Could Be Worse

2011 has definitely been a tough year to evaluate.

2011 is about to become 2012 and I am trying to put a label on the year we are about to close the book on.

Overall, I still think we have a long way to go. From my travels around central Jersey this past month or so, retailers seemed to vary between somewhat busy and downright empty at times. It also appeared to me that the deep discounts we are used to seeing on December 26 were shallower this year since many companies had attempted to keep prices under control all along.

Restaurants definitely are taking it on the chin as holiday parties have been downsized and folks are spending less on food and entertainment. The mood among those I regularly chat with has gone from totally depressed to guarded optimism with a hint of pessimism and a pinch of fear for what lies ahead. Presidential election years are supposed to help the economy but I think many of us have major concerns about the choices that might be offered to select among.

Fine tuning the picture tube to look strictly at the employment scene, I am just a little more upbeat than I was last summer. Personally, I am finding employers a little more willing to make hiring decisions than they have been in quite some time. The sidebar, however, is that pay rates are running from 40 to 60 percent lower than they were in 2008. Anyone who thinks they can negotiate for a higher salary than what is being offered to them, is taking a gigantic risk of being left behind! 

The number of people approaching me for coaching services is increasing each month but I am seeing a few more people who are under-employed in the mix where last year most were unemployed. My concern is that we are being forced to accept much lower levels of income while the cost of surviving continues to grow.

My hope is that 2012 will surprise all of us and be a breakout year. Perhaps this will be the time when we will all begin realize personal growth on many levels and our economy will bounce back.

Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wouldn't be great if my last blog entry of 2012 is about the great recovery process that we have all been lucky enough to enjoy? Who knows but we need to try to stay positive!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?