The Sky is Falling...Not!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! To read the newspapers or listen to the dire forecasts of the evening news you would think that we have just entered the 21st century version of The Great Depression. There seems to be no end to the focus on foreclosures, dipping stock prices, interest rates, and of course the "R" word--RECESSION--looming around every economic corner. The funny thing is economists can't even tell us when we're in a recession until we're out of one!

There is a reason that economics is considered a "social science". That reason is that while on the surface it seems to be all about the numbers, underneath economics are driven by human emotion. And right now my friends it is time to step back and reflect on the influence a single word or even the cumulative projection of numerous "experts" can have on our mindset, attitude and behavior. I am no economist, don't even understand much of what is discussed on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, but I am a pretty good student of human behavior. And I would like to take this moment to encourage, no urge you to beware of buying into and even contributing to the hysteria about the economy.

I realize there are homes being foreclosed. I realize that homes are selling more slowly, in some markets much more slowly, than over the past three years of insane growth in the market. I realize that the stock market seems to be on a roller coaster right now. I realize that our economy is growing more slowly and there may be challenges ahead.

But I also realize that what we focus on becomes manifest or expands. I realize that we can either focus our attention and energy on dire predictions and run for cover, or on taking actions that will continue to keep us moving toward our goals. I know we may have to change both our strategies and tactics in life and business, and that change is uncomfortable for most of us. And, I know that by repeatedly telling ourselves something is true....whether it's actually true or not, it becomes true for us and we act in a manner that is consistent with that belief.

So at the risk of being the biggest Pollyana on the planet, I offer you these suggestions for how to avoid buying into "the sky is falling" mindset.

First and foremost, stop talking to everyone about how awful the economy is. That will temporarily reduce conversation possibilities by about 95%! But really, aside from relieving tension, does talking about how awful things are do anything to change them for the better? No. Instead of wasting time "awfulizing" the situation, form a mastermind group with other practical, optimistic people and brainstorm ways to stay focused and even grow during challenging economic times.

Secondly, get very clear about what you want to create, produce, attract. In other words clearly define your goals. Vague goals or statements like "I just hope to survive" are insufficient to give your "goal-seeking" mind a proper focus. Get clear on the dollar amounts, the number of sales, the overall income or the conditions you want to attract and then use all of your resources to move you in that direction. In the Get Clients Now!* program I'm leading this spring, the very first step is to define exactly and specifically what your objective is for the course. Vague intentions are notorious for producing vague non-specific results. Comedienne Lily Tomlin had it right when she said: "I used to pray that I would grow up someday and be somebody. Now I wish I would have been more specific."

Third, ask yourself what you might need to do more of, do differently or stop doing altogether to strengthen your personal or business position. Is it time to reduce certain expenses and increase others? As I read up on how people not only survive but thrive during tough economic times, the smart ones seem to do both. It's never all of one and none of the other! They stop wasting money on non-essentials. Whether it's your daily Starbucks fix (at upwards of $4-$5 a cup, if you drink one a day you're talking about $1200 a year!) or reducing paper waste by copying documents on both sides of a sheet of paper or cutting back on lunches out, the little things add up. And they start investing in things that will produce a positive return.

If you're a business owner, realize this is not the time to go into hiding. Increase your visibility with key customers and well-targeted prospects. Make sure your website is up-to-date as your 24-7-365 billboard. Focus on customer satisfaction and retention, and train your employees on how to deliver top-notch service. Develop new products or services tailored to fit a niche in your industry, and by all means continue to invest in marketing activities. And never forget the power of word-of-mouth advertising; network, volunteer and find a way to continue giving back to the community. Your "investment" will pay off.

Finally, remember Dr. Robert Schuller's sage advice: "Tough times never last but tough people do." I remember hearing an interview many years ago with the mother of well-known professional basketball player Isaiah Thomas. In it she was asked how she had survived being poor at one time in her life. I've never forgotten her response: "I have never been poor in my life. There have been times I've been broke and haven't had money, but I have never been poor."

My friends, we would do well to remember that our economic fortunes are tied much more closely to our own attitudes and behaviors than to what is happening in the economy at large. This week, I ask you to join me in stepping back, taking a deep breath, getting clearly focused on the opportunities that are out there and get busy making great stuff happen! The old saying goes we can either be "part of the problem or part of the solution." Which will you be?

Quote of the Week:

"People are always blaming their circumstances. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and if they can't find them make them."

~~George Bernard Shaw

"Transforming Your Potential into Performance!"
Betty Mahalik, PCC Life & Business Coach, Trainer bettym@dynamic-coaching.com www.dynamic-coaching.com	Dynamic Solutions 5240 Mustang St. Las Vegas, NV 89130 tel: 702 658-4425 fax: 702 658-5802 mobile: 702 443-0175
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