Well, everything we hear in the news is that the economy is down and will be getting worse before it gets better. I have to think those experts on the news are right, considering this is what they study for a living.
But, I also know that with every turn in the economy, new opportunities emerge. Those companies (and employees) that spend their time wishing for the good old days when business came easy will be destined to take a front row seat for the downward spiral. Let’s be frank, if the way we did business a year or two ago still worked, than all this recession stuff would simply be hype...
The way out of the economic downturn is to focus on those things you can control and stop worrying so much about the stuff that is out of your control. Bad news happens. It is a fact of life. If you sit around, depressed over the bad news and wishing for better days, you are agreeing to be a victim of the downturn.
But, if we determine that even though things seem bad we are going to be more proactive, more creative, and more enthusiastic about seeking opportunities than the next guy, we will come out on top. Now, this does not mean that if we simply go around pretending things a wonderful, the results will follow. This means that we have to set goals, understand what outcomes we want in business and in life, and then step up to the plate and get to work.
We are each responsible for our own accomplishments each day and we are all accountable to each other for results. This New Year brings with it those same feelings that come each year… a chance at renewal, a motivation to do better. But, so often those feelings subside within weeks and old habits take back over. Let’s compete and win. Just imagine, if you can beat the competition and prosper when all of the experts are telling of gloom and doom, think where you will be when the economy rebounds.
I’ll end with a little story…
One day while hiking in the forest two young boys came across a grizzly bear. One boy was understandably frightened, but he immediately sat down, pulled his running shoes from his backpack and put them on so he could run from the bear. His friend, who was somewhat of an outdoor expert, just stood there and said, “We have had it! I have read everything on bears and we cannot outrun him…we are doomed.” The first hiker stood up with his running shoes on and said, “I don’t care about outrunning the bear. I just want to outrun you!”
But, I also know that with every turn in the economy, new opportunities emerge. Those companies (and employees) that spend their time wishing for the good old days when business came easy will be destined to take a front row seat for the downward spiral. Let’s be frank, if the way we did business a year or two ago still worked, than all this recession stuff would simply be hype...
The way out of the economic downturn is to focus on those things you can control and stop worrying so much about the stuff that is out of your control. Bad news happens. It is a fact of life. If you sit around, depressed over the bad news and wishing for better days, you are agreeing to be a victim of the downturn.
But, if we determine that even though things seem bad we are going to be more proactive, more creative, and more enthusiastic about seeking opportunities than the next guy, we will come out on top. Now, this does not mean that if we simply go around pretending things a wonderful, the results will follow. This means that we have to set goals, understand what outcomes we want in business and in life, and then step up to the plate and get to work.
We are each responsible for our own accomplishments each day and we are all accountable to each other for results. This New Year brings with it those same feelings that come each year… a chance at renewal, a motivation to do better. But, so often those feelings subside within weeks and old habits take back over. Let’s compete and win. Just imagine, if you can beat the competition and prosper when all of the experts are telling of gloom and doom, think where you will be when the economy rebounds.
I’ll end with a little story…
One day while hiking in the forest two young boys came across a grizzly bear. One boy was understandably frightened, but he immediately sat down, pulled his running shoes from his backpack and put them on so he could run from the bear. His friend, who was somewhat of an outdoor expert, just stood there and said, “We have had it! I have read everything on bears and we cannot outrun him…we are doomed.” The first hiker stood up with his running shoes on and said, “I don’t care about outrunning the bear. I just want to outrun you!”
This bad economy is like the bear. It may affect us all, but as long as we get ahead of the competition, it will take them down instead.
Post Submitted by: Ed Warren
Vice President Creative Marketing Solutions
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