The Bright Side: Staying Positive During Trying Times

It seems that every time you turn on the television, news anchors, industry analysts and political figures alike are griping about the inefficiencies in Washington and the pending demise of the U.S. economy, or they are playing the “blame game” regarding who may be at fault for the country’s current state of affairs. While the need to discuss these issues and others like them remains important, the never-ending abundance of negative commentary can be alarmingly contagious.

 In fact, amidst the ongoing hostility and the perceived lack of forward progress in Washington, it’s easy to see how many of America’s small business owners struggle to remain upbeat about the future. There is a deep need for the people of this great country to experience a resurgence of optimism. Whether you’re a small business owner, an active job seeker or a would-be entrepreneur, the power of positive thinking will certainly help you survive these trying economic times. So, how does one really embrace the power of positive thinking while simultaneously enduring the onslaught of bad news and negative information?

First and foremost, it is important to remain calm, mitigating any feelings of fear. Regardless of the constant speculation and ever-changing predictions regarding unemployment and the economy, the future is not set in stone. Continuing to remain proactive in your job search or the process by which you generate sales leads will go a long way in helping you find more work and sustain your livelihood. If you’re currently employed, take a deep breath and stop worrying that each day you step into the office may be your last. In fact, corporate layoffs are currently at their lowest levels since 1997. Following the surge of layoffs in 2008 and 2009, many companies are operating with a skeleton staff and therefore need to hold on to everyone currently on payroll. The general theme here is to relax a bit and keep doing what you need to be doing, regardless of your employment status.

Another great tip to help harness the power of positivity is to commit to continued professional growth and self improvement. Take the time to learn something new! While there’s no easy solution to ending long-term unemployment, one constant theme in business rings true – from the unemployment line to the executive conference room - the decision to learn new skills remains an essential and valuable practice. The business world is always evolving, largely due to the rapid pace of technological advancement.

For instance, let’s pretend that you’ve recently been let-go from a five year career as a media buyer with a local advertising firm. Given the fact hiring within this particular field has slowed, you’re struggling to identify a new professional path down which you should travel. You decide to enroll in a six week course offered by a nearby community college on marketing practices within the world of social media. As a new marketing medium that has exploded in the business world, your new skill set in social media makes you far more “attractive” to potential employers. You are finally offered a job as a Marketing Manager, specializing in social media for a local car dealership. Moreover, you’ve always flirted with the idea of starting your own media relations consulting business, and your new job with the car dealership is allowing you to save some money which you can eventually use as capital to start your business. Also, the new job is allowing you to actively use the new skills you’ve learned as a social media specialist and will ultimately fully enable you to provide this valuable and highly sought after service to the potential clients you one day hope to secure. Bottom line, taking the time to learn new skills and continue to evolve professionally will always prove to be a positive, proactive and potentially lucrative investment in yourself and your future.

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Speaking of potentially lucrative investments, there is one subject that could easily be considered the root of all feelings of fear and failure in business….MONEY! Given today’s economic uncertainty, it’s only natural that small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs view money, or more aptly stated, the ability to make money, to be their greatest source of stress. With that said, while it is important to spend wisely on things you need to ensure your business can continue to function, it is also important to grasp the importance of saving. Most financial problems, for both individuals and for this country as a whole, occur as a result of the mismanagement of credit and the practice of overspending. Proper credit management can be a business owner’s best friend.

In fact, business lending is currently on the rise, according to the Federal Reserve. This is a huge sign that confidence is growing among businesses. As confidence continues to rise, so too will new opportunities. America’s small businesses have been and will continue to be a major driving force in the country’s push for job growth, having hired more than a million people in just the last year alone.

The continued progression of growth within the nation’s small business community is the future of the U.S. economy and will play a vitally important role in the success of America’s recovery from recession. Small business owners everywhere should pat themselves on the back for enduring every bit of pessimism that lawmakers, analysts and reporters have thrown their way regarding the country’s current hardships. Just as a negative thought is contagious, so too is the power of positive thinking. Despite its cliché, there is still truth in the phrase, “every cloud has a silver lining.”

While it is often difficult to see the bright spots amidst shades of gray, the ability to push past the darkness and see the light on the other side is what sets those who fail apart from those who succeed. Success does not come easy and neither does economic recovery. However, it is the positivity with which we survive the storm that allows us to learn how to dance in the rain.