The Power of Optimism in Challenging Economic Times.

_source

In times of contraction, the amount and quality of activity you perform will depend on your attitude. Staying optimistic is never easy, but it becomes much more difficult when the economy is struggling. This applies to everyone that you compete with, including you and your clients.

The one who can remain upbeat in the face of adversity will have a distinct edge and a higher likelihood of progressing and winning. The amount of harmful thinking that may permeate the market and have an impact on those who promote and propagate it is typically the most dangerous aspect of a downturn, not the actuality of the economic conditions. Although negative attitudes never appear on a statement of income and they are always associated with a task to carry out.

Avoid negativity at all costs at these moments, as it can lead to sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of direction and confidence. These elements will all begin to show themselves in your behavior and outcomes.

If you exhibit any pessimism, customers and potential customers will sense it and will perceive your activities as being driven by fear or desperation. This will probably make them react to your offers out of fear, that's never beneficial to you. At this juncture, the more pessimistic reader will wonder, "Grant, are you saying that I should just think all things is going to work out okay even though it's not really that good?"

In my opinion, there's a greater likelihood of success if you deceive yourself into believing that things will get better and that you can play a part in making them better.

You will encounter business cycles—a period of time when things slow down—at some point in your career. Your clients receive the same bad news that you do, and excellent outcomes are never fueled by bad news. They can get enough negativity for free at home through their TV or the internet, so they don't want any more of it.

Your face, your behavior, your answers, your attitude—they don't want to see it. Rather, irrespective of what is going on around you, project competence, radiate success, and be upbeat and hopeful. Positivity attracts and intrigues potential clients considerably more than negativity. Being involved in the corporate world, I have lived through several significant recessions, all of which eventually come to an end.

These will all come to an end eventually, and how you behave in those final moments will determine your circumstances now and in the future more than the state of the economy.

Everyone in your vicinity, whether at work, at home, or anywhere in between, is impacted by your attitude. I want everyone to regard me as someone who fosters optimism and hope, even in the face of adversity, including my spouse, kid, coworkers, clients, and friends.

In order to refocus your attention on the positive and problem-solving aspects of life, I recommend substituting your TV and time on the internet with programs that will help you advance and conquer. But telling someone to "just be positive" isn't the whole story. Have a well-organized schedule for the entire day.