The economy . . .With such an unproductive conversation starter, the only possible result can be a downward spiral that has me feeling worse than I did when I decided to talk about it (AGAIN!)  Where else could the conversation go from there but right down straight to hell without the hand-basket?  It’s downright depressing and not the kind of topics that are good for my mind to focus on, think about, or generate more of.   Not to mention what it does for those of us who are in business for ourselves: how can I generate excitement and possibilities when all I’m focusing on is what is going on with the economy?

Well, there’s an answer to this; How about creating your own economy?  You are probably wondering how to do that when the world doesn’t agree with you, or the topic of the economy (Let’s call it “The E Word”) just seems to pop up into the conversation like leftovers that just pop themselves out of the refrigerator and make it to the microwave.  
Sometimes The E Word conversation is only happening in your own head. Have you ever heard the term “what you resist persists”?  Instead of focusing on what hasn’t even happened yet economically, why not focus on what is working right now, and what could be adjusted to make it work even better?   I’m not saying it isn’t hard to think positively when we see the brown lawns on every block or businesses with vacancy signs, but so much of the worry we’re putting ourselves through is about things that haven’t even happened, but that we’re worried MAY happen . It’s just as likely that those things we’re worried about may NOT happen, you know.
Be aware of false forecasting. I call it the “when I, then I’s”.  Here’s an example: When I have a lot of money, then I will be happy. Why not make a choice to be happy today? (It IS a choice, you know).  Or, When I can afford to take my family to Hawaii, then I will watch them having fun.  Why not fill up the backyard wading pool, set out the lawn chairs, and pour tropical drinks this very Saturday?  I’m not saying to not take an honest look at your future, but I am saying to not wait until “then” to look at what could be good in your life.  The truth is, you only have right now.  Focus on what you are doing now and what you can do now. The grass isn’t greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it.
If The E Word is taking up too much of your conversation right now, remember that only you can change your circumstance. Yes, there is a circumstance that caused you to be in this position or to fail. Personally, I don’t believe in failure, because it’s much more honest to call it “failing forward.”  Failing forward is an opportunity to move forward and leave the past behind.  If you don’t look at it as a chance to grow, the situation will probably repeat itself in your life.  At that point, you would be re -living the past.  Look at it as feedback, not failure.
You can do what you need to do to get through this and be a cause for personal change. Here are a few ways to change your economy:

• Find other people whose lives ARE working for them.  Ask them how they’re doing it, and then DO IT, too.
•  Find people who have changed their circumstance and be inspired by them.
• In business, report the great news and what new developments you are working on. Create excitement for
• what IS working.
• Remember that the Media is a business with a product to sell!  Look beyond the headlines and the screaming
• “Breaking News!” about the economy (there’s that E Word again!), and get the facts of the story instead of the sensationalism of it. This will do more to change everyone’s economy outlook than anything else we could do!
• Lose the “When I, Then I” attitude.  Water your grass now, don’t wait for the brown spots to show up.
• Make a comeback as the new reinvented you.
• Be open for opportunities that can change your circumstance.
You can be the spirit of change!  Create your own economy now.