2013 brings with it new opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. More than ever, your success in 2013, as an individual or business, will depend upon how effectively you communicate and how you are perceived by those you wish to do business with.

There has recently been consid-erable concern about the difficulties in the mortgage and lending market. Most recently, the current administration has proposed "Project Lifeline" also referred to as the "Second Chance Program."

Accord-ing to the Employee Benefit Research Institute "In 2006, Social Security was the largest source of income for those currently age 65 and older, accounting for 39.8 percent of their income on average." *

It is impossible to watch the news and not hear someone mention the word "Recession."

Active participation in associations and organizations will often require you to attend a lot of meetings. I recently attended a luncheon with the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce. At this meeting, the main speaker was Converse A. Chellis III, the South Carolina state treasurer. Treasurer Chellis is one of those people you almost instantly like and trust.

The insurance and investment professions have cornered the market on credentials. It seems almost odd to be handed a business card and not see a series of letters following a person's name.

Improve-ments in medicine and science have continued to extend the life span of the average person in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average 65-year-old could expect to live another 18 years. What is astonish-ing to realize is that at least one-half of those alive at 65 in 2005 will live past 83, assuming there are no continued improvements in health and science!

I am sure we all have heard Plato's saying that "necessity is the mother of invention."

According to the U.S Department of Health Service's Administration on Aging, there has been an increase of 39 percent in the number of people who will turn 65 in the next two decades. The vast majority of these individuals are in better health and living a more active life than the generations preceding them and there is a real desire to live a full and independent lifestyle.

So you want to start a new business? You have an idea that will make millions or you saw an infomercial on TV and if those people can make it so can you. No more punching a clock or having a boss. No more 40-hour work week. The dress code will be golf shirts and shorts.

Unless you are Rip Van Winkle just waking from a long nap, it is apparent that we are facing the most difficult economy in a generation. It is also obvious that we all need to step back and take a breath.

It is hard to believe another year has come and gone so quickly, and what a year it has been.

The retirement plans of many individuals were dealt a serious blow in 2008. The impact to retirees and those about to retire may be more severe than to those who are still in the accumulation phase of their lives.

South Carolina State officials recently reported that unem-ployment in York County reached 12.9 percent in January. For many individuals, this may be the first time they have had to seek employment. With that in mind, I contacted Tanya Calkins, president and owner of SourceAbility Inc. (www.sourceabilityinc.com), a Charlotte-based recruiting firm. I asked Calkins to assist me in writing a column that would be helpful to those looking for work.

In the current economy, many businesses are in a "bunker" mentality. That is to say, they are paring down workforces, slashing budgets and just trying to stay in business.