Saturday, August 21, 2010

My Economic Indicators Are. . . Good!

"If you keep on saying things are going to be bad,
you have a good chance of being a prophet."

-- Isaac Bashevis Singer


It is interesting to hear many business owners say how bad things are and how they are going to get worse before they get better, and then proceed to itemize a list of the reasons and justifications for their conclusions. I am a swimmer, but I have learned from long and hard experience that it pays for me to swim upstream with people just a few strokes before I let them keep those thoughts for themselves.

I really would like to say to them that it can be better right now by just changing those thoughts and conclusions and that this would not only feel better, but actually create more prosperity. I would like to offer proof and options to show how it can be done, but they cannot yet hear me. They have become prophets. They have been proven right (such an easy thing to achieve, yet is entirely subjective). They stand on their proof (the news, group opinions, talk radio, TV, statistics--you know--facts). So, within a few minutes, I have to stop swimming and float downstream and let them have their prophetic creation to themselves.

So, if you've read this far, you must not be the person I'm referring to, so let me give you some thoughts to ponder on this subject.

What if the current economy, economic conditions, state of business, and your life in general was normal? How different might you feel about it? People might think it is bad now, but the word bad is a relative term indicating a position away from good. What if now was good? What if bad wasn't actually bad?

I know this is sort of trippy, but give it some careful thought. What if, in order for things to be bad, it would have to get far worse than it is now. Here's another way to approach it: What if there were no past? What if there were only today and the future? We might have to get rid of the word bad entirely, for it wouldn't have much value without the past, would it?

Some of the best advice I've ever heard came from Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." In other words, just do your best. Great advice in any economic condition, and if we're going to be doing the best we can do with what we have and where we are, it sure is going to help the outcome to believe there will be one. In other words, believe in yourself, your services, your business, your value, have a positive outlook in general. It is amazing what a difference that will make once it is an allowed thought.

So, here's a toast to today being good. Maybe it wasn't good enough, but that would only be if you didn't give your best. If you give your best, there isn't any better, so it will have to stand. Find things to be thankful for. This always helps me tremendously. Once you get your mind on that path, you will find many, many things to be thankful about, and your gratitude will change your demeanor, your attitude, and believe it or not, your results.

Today is a good day. Life is good today. Every day is a good day. Thank you for this day.

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