From Vanguard’s Economic Week in Review: Fed’s outlook brighter but stocks shaky:

Gradual improvements in the labor market helped lift the Federal Reserve’s outlook for economic recovery, though construction remains a drag. Food and energy prices jumped, with core inflation still modest. But investors were perhaps more distracted by declines in stock prices during the week in the wake of Japan’s earthquake-tsunami-nuclear woes.

I just returned from a Lancaster County Mud Sale, huge community auctions run by Amish folks to benefit volunteer fire companies. I spoke with an old friend. His carpentry and home renovation business has no work currently. He said, “Last year was bad, but so far this year, I haven’t had any work at all.” He’s a competent, honest contractor who does excellent work. He just can’t find any.

This wonderful business we’ve chosen—to design and construct buildings and other structures, seems to be navigating the most challenging times in the past 50 years. What words of wisdom can I offer?

What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.

Try to use these challenging times to better understand yourself and this business. Try to position yourself in a place to win. Remember the fundamental rule of success:

Successful people do the things unsuccessful people don’t want to do and won’t do.