Enough Doom and Gloom Already!
For the last few weeks, it seems like there has been nothing but bad news. All of the radio and television reporters blast the latest unemployment stats, stock market dips and unrest in the world.
It’s enough to turn you into a Scrooge this holiday season or make you cower in a corner with a box of tissues! Well, not me. I’m going to take action. How about you?
Instead of listening to the dismal headlines, figure out how you are going to succeed in these tough times.
Here are a few steps you can take now to help turn things around:
1. Create a new plan of action.
Once you assess your current financial situation, think of the steps you need to take to improve things for the better. Perhaps this is the perfect time to start that new business you’ve always dreamed of while working part-time? Maybe you need to get additional education to start working in a field that is currently doing well?
Try to get out of your rut and establish a fresh mindset. After all, if things are bad now, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
2. Get help.
When things get tough, it’s always nice to have support. Reach out to family, friends, business associates, local organizations, and industry associations. Network in person and online.
Many people are going through similar challenges right now, and there is no reason to be embarrassed about your situation. To start, check out the online forums here, and the information available at http://www.sba.gov/, www.score.org, http://www.suzeorman.com/, www.fico.com, http://www.creditguard.org/, and others.
3. Work harder.
This may not be what you want to hear, but now is not the time to be lazy. Everyone is competing for the limited sales, jobs, partners, etc. that are available.
In order to be successful, it’s essential to do the appropriate research, learn necessary skills, meet the right people, and give your best effort on all the career and lifestyle goals you want to achieve.
For help, check out these links: www.monster.com, www.awaionline.com, www.careerbuilder.com, http://www.dalecarnegie.com, www.tonyrobbins.com, and others.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the negativity that’s out there. It’s time to stop placing blame, take action and make positive changes. After all, if we all make an effort to solve our problems and start with small, baby steps, who knows what we can accomplish!
Do you have tips for other entrepreneurs, questions and feedback? Please let me know! I’m here to help.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Great thoughts Melanie! Negativity breeds more negativity. So much of our current economic woes are based upon fear and panic. It’s a viscious cycle that needs to break.
Your first suggestion to create a new plan of action is a good one. It demands that we stop at least long enough to get our bearings. Knowing precisely where we are is the first step in determining a new path.
I too have recently written several articles about this topic from a Sales/Selling perspecive, citing several useful techniques that will make a real difference in our lives.
Regardless of the daily news, there is always something in the mix to be optimistic about. Let’s focus on that!
December 9th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Thanks for your nice comments Daniel. Since small business owners are at the heart of America, we can make a difference!
December 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Doom and Gloom
I agree too that there is too much depressing information thrown at us everyday; but that is the reality for many people. If unemployment is at 6.7%(or whatever), it still means that over 90% have job and that is the bright side.
But make no mistake, what is hidden is the fact that there are many in business who are feeling the “effects” of a slow down as consumers hold on to the contents of their wallets. That is the scary part.
I dread to think how many businesses will go dark after the Holiday sales are in; landlords, suppliers, credit card issuers, bank loans, equipment leases will all be in increased jeopardy in 2009.
The silver lining? I am told that bank loans to low risk and good cash flow projects are still available. For instance Professionals(Doctors,Veterinarians, Optometrists, etc) can still get nearly 100% financing , with good credit.
Other than these projects, the squeeze is on.
mrfranchiseman.com
December 26th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I concur, but let’s go one step further and start to higlight and talk about small businesses that are doing well in this economy and why? My own sustainable farm business and two online stores are both up 20% over last year because of hard work, creative thinking and altering my product mix to respond to new markets. It is always easier to report on the bad rather than seek out the good.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
So nice to hear of a business that is improving in doom and gloom scene
The other business that did well in 2008 is Subway.
Sales were up between 20 and 50% for 90% of the stores due primarily to their $5.00 menu items, which I might add, many other concepts copied. Even with increased food costs, overall they(Subway) were more profitable for 2008. We are not sure the others matched Subway numbers or succeeded in any way with the $5.00 formula. Quizno’s franchisees were/are screaming for erosion in proftability-again.
mrfranchiseman invites you to read more about franchises and Subway at http://www.mrfranchiseman.com
January 29th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Melanie, you’re correct in that the media is centered around the negative forces of our economy. I typically don’t have issue with facts being reported, but todays liberal media has gone beyond that. Before this economy became catastrophic they were preaching the doom and gloom without facts to back it up…they, in part helped to destroy consumer confidence.
That said there are still many fact based sitations that have contributed to this problem, namely the sub-prime lending that destroyed our housing market and started this downhill spiral into the bowels of hell. Is there a way out? I believe at this point we can direct things onto the right course, but we’re a long way from getting out of this. Hard work, creative thinking and as you stated a positive attitude will be the best course of action. The problem is we’re reliant on so many people who are clueless as to what to do to fix this, I’m speaking of our incompetent government…you know the ones that bailed out the banks, handed over billions of dollars with no restrictions just so these greedy bankers could pay themselves monsterous bonuses and re-decorate their offices to the tune of $100,000…I think we all know who I’m talking about, so I don’t need to say it, and trust there are many more we don’t know about.
All I can say is hold on your pants, we’re in for a hell of a ride. Remaining positive is the best thing you can do right now, it might be difficult, but it’s your best way out.