Recession? What Recession?

The other day I attended a business networking function with about 80 other business owners and was struck by how negative the majority of these business people were about the current economic situation. This is a group that is generally very positive, but that day the weight of their concerns started coming out.

Part of the agenda for the meeting was to discuss what we were challenged with in our business right now and brainstorm ideas about what to do about it. We did this in small groups and then shared our thoughts with the larger group. The range of issues was huge. Everything from government regulation and control to the cost of energy and the increasing cost of goods sold through increases being passed to them by suppliers. There were also concerns about the lack of a qualified workforce and the inability to attract and retain good employees. It would be fair to say that most of the people in the room are worried right now.

The power of what I heard that day has stuck with me and prompts me to write this post today. The title of this post -- Recession? What Recession? -- is all about asking you to think about what your current beliefs are. The reality is that we are having some difficulty in our economy right now. I don't think anyone would argue with that. I have felt it in my business and I am sure you are feeling it in yours.

The question is -- what do you believe and what are you doing to find a new solution? You must eliminate from your vocabulary the negative words that bring you down and create barriers to your success. Words like; recession, depression, terrible, out of control, etc. These words will drain your energy and cause you to focus on the negative things around you. Your mind will focus on whatever you spend time thinking about. Think about all the negative things going on in your business or the economy and you will find more of them. This makes it difficult to lift yourself above it and find answers.

However, if you focus on the positive things going on in your business and create positive beliefs, you will be much more likely to uncover ways to deal with your issues. It is about re-solutioning the problem. The old solutions may not work right now. It is up to you to look for new solutions, temporary adjustments, and creative ideas to organize your business most effectively and to promote it. Your attitude will be the biggest driver about how you handle the current realities and how well you position your business for when the current reality changes.

Your job is to be fearless, courageous, undaunted and an eternal optimist. To look for new opportunities where others see nothing but trouble. To create lemonade from the lemons others are serving up. Market like you have never marketed before. Look for creative solutions to those things outside of your control. Train your team and educate yourself in the newest and best ways to market, sell, organize and systematize your business. You will be amazed at how much your business can grow and prosper during times like this with the right focus. When the economy improves you will be very well positioned to take your business to the next level very quickly.

Don't allow others to dictate your reality and your beliefs. We all have a wonderful God given gift ... the gift of choice. You can choose to let the current situation control you or you can choose to create your own results and outcomes. The choice is yours ... what will you choose?

If you would like to learn more about how to take control of your beliefs and create the business and life you want, then pick up a copy of my new book, Achieving Unlimited Success. And give Ralph or me a call if you would like to talk about how an ActionCOACH business coach will lead you through these current challenges. Also, register here to receive my monthly Achieving Unlimited Success monthly email newsletter and a FREE copy of the report "5-Step Success Formula."

To Your Success ...

Attitudes Toward Change

Did you ever wonder about the process of making changes? Or put another way, what motivates some to make changes while others avoid change at all costs?

Most consultants, advisors, coaches and psychologists drill down to a single word: Attitude. We see the word, hear the word and even act out the word and yet do we really attempt to improve our attitude first - or do we instead attempt to move mountains with a frown on our face?

Review these points adapted from, ‘Taking the Fear Out of Changing’, by psychologist Dennis O'Grady:

1.) The hardest thing to change is a hardening of attitudes; nothing kills change faster than attitudes that resist it.

2.) Failures stem from two sets of words: "I can't" and "Yes, but..."

3.) Those adept at change don't reject good advice just to prove they aren't being controlled by those who give it.

4.) Complaining is good, if it isn't a substitute for action - unfortunately it often is.

5.) High self-esteem results from making small positive changes in spite of fear. Confidence comes from conquering fear of change.

6.) Unexpected pain can result from either huge set-backs or successes.

7.) Change artists analyze how fear of success can stop them from changing. They also know success does not magically bestow happiness.

8.) Fear of commitment to goals can make one stop short of setting appropriate goals. Commitment forces an answer to a tough question: "What do I really want?"

9.) Choices and options are all open. One can make new choices anytime.

10.) Giving positive strokes to one's self is as important as giving them to others. But self-criticism is easier than self-stroking.

11.) Balancing pleasing one's self with pleasing others is often difficult.


So...What's your Attitude?

Your Attitude

"I feel I have 0% control over getting cancer, but 100% control over how I will respond..."

-- Kay Yow, North Carolina State University women's basketball coach

Kay Yow made made an incredibly inspiring presentation when she received an award on the recent ESPY Awards show.

What inspired me so much about her acceptance speech and her story is the way in which Coach Yow has approached this bout with cancer - her third go-around with the awful disease. After three battles with cancer and all of the treatment that goes along with the disease I'm sure you'd agree that it would be natural for anyone to wallow in pity and have a "why me?" attitude. And yet she views this latest round as an opportunity to teach and coach her players and assistant coaches about the value of attitude - whether a positive or negative attitude.

(Click here and then click on the "256" link just above her picture to view the presentation.)

Are you facing a significant challenge right now in business, career or life? Are you focused on what you CAN do about the challenge or on what has HAPPENED to you? I believe it is quite natural for us to focus on the challenge and the results of the challenge - but people like Coach Yow show us that we can only make the turn for the better when we focus on what we can actually control and not allow "head space" to be consumed with stuff that is out of our control or in the past.

As with Coach Yow, the impact of facing challenges head-on with the right attitude not only affects you - it has quite the impact on those who are watching you.

Reflect on Coach Yow's quote above. Are you controlling how you respond to your challenges - or are you letting the challenge control you...?