Thriving in These Economic Times

Greetings!

Are you becoming disheartened by all of the bad news about our economy, the mortgage crisis, rising gas prices and the high cost of food? It's enough to make you want to stay in bed with the covers drawn over your head.

While I agree that times are challenging right now, I don't believe we should allow "The Economy" to get the best of us. The news media bombards our TVs, radios and computer screens with "doom and gloom" messages continuously and perhaps it's time to put a stop on the influx of bad news.

In my last post I discussed the importance of "cleaning your filters." It's so important to be discerning about what we allow into our minds. Remember, what we believe ... IS.

I think if we turn our attention to the things for which we can be thankful, it will help put the rest in perspective. Additionally, I have some tips that will help you thrive, instead of just survive, in today's sluggish economy:

1) Don't buy in to everything you hear. Translation: Don't confuse reality with catastrophe. Don't spend hours watching the news -- give your brain a break. Stay focused on your business, your customers and yourself.

2) Get your fear under control. Nothing is more crippling, paralyzing or detrimental to your personal power than fear.

3) Get involved. Now is NOT the time for complacency. Get up, get out, get busy! Spearhead a project, run for office, host an event, make a difference in your community and in another person's life.

4) Get connected. This is a terrific time to expand your net. Make a list of the people you want to meet. Try on some new networking and social organizations. Ask people you know for introductions to their contacts. And don't forget to connect the folks in your own sphere of influence.

5) Market your values. Think about the companies you really admire and respect. How do they incorporate their values into their messages and customer relationships? Seize this opportunity to leverage your values into business-building messages and promotions.

6) Don't cut your advertising budget! Challenging times call for proactive, aggressive marketing. You must zealously go after business. Ramp up your public relations efforts, engage in "guerrilla" marketing tactics, utilize low-cost viral marketing campaigns. Speak, write and blog - often! If you have no budget for advertising, co-op with other businesses and share the cost.

7) Ask for help. Hey, we're all in this together, so don't be shy about seeking assistance and support from other people. Cull an advisory board, hire a mentor or coach, ask for leads and customers and enlist the help of your employees. Make them a part of the solution and give them a sense of ownership in your business' challenges. They will feel engaged, valued and appreciated.

8) Take care of yourself. We all know that stress kills. At the very least, it can make you sick. Extra hours, money worries and lack of "down time" can affect mood and health. Watch your diet and get some heart-healthy exercise. Take catnaps, 10-minute breaks throughout the day or try meditation. Sleep is essential and most people require a full 8 hours! If you're stressed out and having trouble coping, please seek out the support of a stress management counselor. And, if you haven't had a physical in the past 12 months, get one!

9) Go green. Going green is the smart, efficient and politically correct thing to do right now. Companies with a "sustainable" focus are certainly getting more positive press - and this can translate into more customers. Re-use, recycle and save money. Encourage carpooling and telecommuting. Invest in green buildings and green companies. (You might even buy a "green" office condo and transform it into environmentally-friendly live-work space - what a great way to save on gas!). Lobby for green policies and programs (another way to "get involved").

10) Keep learning. You must stay ahead of the curve in order to remain adaptable and competitive in today's changing business climate. The more you know, the more opportunities you have.

11) Innovate! If you business is a "We've always done it this way" organization, it's time to shake it up. You must be willing - and even eager - to jump out of the box and try things differently. Be a change agent. Be inquisitive. Always ask how can we do this better, smarter, more efficiently.

12) Assess your career. Is it really the economy, or is it actually time for a change? Do you love, love, love your career or are you muddling through each day? Do you look forward to Mondays or do you feel a pit in your stomach come Sunday afternoon? Sure, troubled times can be a factor but, if you're truly living your passion, the economy will have little or no impact on your desire to do what you love.

13) Stay flexible. Go with the flow. Don't panic. Stay open-minded. Embrace change. And remember: Never, ever, ever give up. (Winston Churchill)

14) Keep it in perspective. Bad times, if that's how you choose to look at them, come and go. It's how you react to challenges that shapes your reality.

Success on a deeper level requires a commitment to living life from a global perspective of abundance, generosity, excellence and authenticity.

Now go forth and prosper!

Dr. Debra