As I read the business press, business blogs and even some business owners Twitter feeds, I’m seeing more and more people expressing their pessimism about their business in 2010.
Before people bring this type of negative message to their marketplace, they need to understand the kind of damage it can cause.
Pessimism is like a virus
When times are tough, many business owners share their pessimism and fears with their suppliers, contacts and in some cases, with their clients or customers too. This quickly spreads like a virus, creating in its wake, one of the most damaging problems a business can face – a lack of confidence! People are far less likely to invest in, recommend or use a business if they fear that business is in trouble or likely to go under.
Blind optimism is not the answer. However, once you have decided what you want to achieve in 2010 and developed a plan to make it happen, you should focus your energy and efforts on want to achieve; not what you fear. You see, enthusiasm is just as infectious as pessimism.
Enthusiasm is contagious too
I was prompted to write this post, after a great meeting with one of my clients, Julie Camm. Julie owns Alveston House Hotel in Bristol, England. She and her team are genuinely excited about 2010 and beyond. This enthusiasm is contagious and it has spread throughout the whole workforce, onto their guests and their prospective guests and the wider marketplace.
With that kind of stewardship, is it a coincidence that their hotel was one of very few to have enjoyed a good 2009? No. That’s because enthusiasm is just as contagious as pessimism. Whilst many hotels lowered their prices and cut back on staff / suppliers / services, Julie took a very different route. She decided to face the recession with optimism, a solid business plan, hard work (and great marketing of course!!) As a result, they have created their own self-fulfilling prophecy. People feel confident booking with them, which creates additional business for them, which generates a buzz; as their guests see so much positive activity.
It would be nuts to just ignore the fact that 2010 looks like it will be another challenging year for small business; however, once you have planned for the challenges ahead, it’s wise to face that challenge with the correct mindset.
How important do you think it is, to focus on what you want in 2010, rather than your fears? Please take a moment to share your thoughts on enthusiasm / pessimism in the marketplace.
Photo credit: Carbon NYC
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I see nothing but great things coming in 2010. The things we did in 2009 are and have built a solid foundation to kick some serious butt in 2010. Those who are negative about 2010 most likely found it easier to set on the sideline and complain about “how bad things are.” Instead of doing that, they should have taken actions to push their business to the next level.
I would be the first to admit there are somethings out of our control which can adversely affect our business and lives. However, even those things are an opportunity to create something positive out of. And before anyone “flames” me. Yes, I have had adversity in my own life. The key is to rise above it and not allow it to consume us and push us down.
Surround yourself with talented, positive people. Don’t hide in a corner and wait for good things to happen. Actions not inaction is needed when you see forecast for bad economic times. Take the perceived business and economic environment and use it to your advantage. When you competitors are sitting around bitching and complaining about how bad things are, open up a new marketing campaign and take their business away from them. Our consumers don’t want to hear how bad things are. They want to know what we can do to make their lives better.
I tell everyone I can, get off your butts and let’s kick some in 2010.
Thanks for such a well thought out comment, Grant.
I think your closing point is excellent; “Our consumers don’t want to hear how bad things are. They want to know what we can do to make their lives better.”
Couldn’t agree more.
Once again providing such useful information to us.. leading a path for the uninformed.. making it easy to really learn what the web is all about!
really love your blog!
Glad you find it useful sir.
Hi Jim. Great post. Pessimism is like a disease and needs to be eradicated at every opportunity. If you act/speak in a positive way, this will naturally bring others along with you and while there will be challenges I say “bring it on” – it only makes us stronger! Nothing more to add really except point well made (as always!). Have a great Christmas!
You make a great point about how like attracts like, Barney.
You often see pessimists forming ‘grief parties,’ where they get together with equally negative people and bitch about how bad things are. It’s a weird old world!
That is most certainly is! A gets weirder by the day – it’s what makes it fun
.
Hi Jim, I think it is extremely important to focus on what you want in 2010! In most sports i.e. tennis, snowboarding, motorcycle riding, and etc., you have to point or look in the direction you want to go so that your body will follow. The same concept holds true in business! We move in the direction we are focused on!
Enthusiasm is the positive emotion that we attach with our desires. Ernest Holmes, author of a great book called Science of Mind, says DESIRE+BELIEF= MANIFESTATION. The emotion that we attach to our wants is what gives it life. If we have FEAR, we are blocking our wants so we will manifest something contrary to what we really want. If we have enthusiasm, we will be in alignment with our wants, so it is inevitable that our goals will come into fruition.
As you say Danielle, “We move in the direction we are focused on!” Very true.
Whilst I believe that great thoughts need to be backed with great action, it’s a heck of a lot easier to succeed, if you have the right mindset.
Thanks for the feedback and for sharing your thoughts / ideas.
Another keeper Jim thanks. How do you come up with posts like this every day? Thats a serious question dude, by the way.
Honest answer: I try hard, on a regular basis
The largest part of my job as a designer has always been to inspire our clients. This is how we are able to work with them to jointly find solutions to their problems. I particularly make this point because creativity is essentially a positive process. Design is always a collective activity and unless I am able to recruit their full and complete enthusiasm for the project, we can never do our job effectively.
That’s why I say that enthusiasm is essential to our business success and the success of our clients. This is true in a recession but it is also true every year.
As far as 2010 is concerned, I am certain that a positive and enthusiastic approach will be the secret to creating success for your business.
You’re right Ash. The transfer of enthusiasm helps build confidence and when we speak about a project with confidence, people are far more likely to trust us (and our abilities.)
Thanks for the feedback sir.
What an inspirational post Jim (for the optimists
). We all know those people who look at the glass as half empty and this year’s US economy was fuel for that fire.
My example comes from my own story this year. I lost my job (along with lots of people in the US). Strangely enough, I faced that challenge with pure passion and applied myself into self-education on social media, networking and encouraging others who were in similar situations as mine to keep pressing forward. The result was I made lots of amazing friends and landed a wonderful job. I wrote about my experience here http://www.annabarcelos.me/2009/07/31/five-tweets-to-a-job/
In retrospect I think about how many reasons I had to be pessimistic but simply wouldn’t hear of it. I think you have to be a certain type of person to have the strength not to be afraid of what happens to you and believe it will work out. It’s hard to explain, but I’m confident you have that quality as well.
I now carry the same passion into my new position (six months new) and try to inspire others, including clients, that the most challenging times are for testing what we are made of. If we focus and keep moving ahead, I sincerely believe we have the power to make our situations brilliant. That applies to personal life and in business.
Thank you for your post. I have been following you for a very long time and admire your insight, solid work eithic and positive nature.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Anna – great comment.
I think you showed a great deal of faith in your own value, especially after I read: http://www.annabarcelos.me/2009/07/31/five-tweets-to-a-job/ (check it out people, it’s a very interesting post.)
Thanks for the feedback and for your kind words. It’s always great to know that my stuff’s resonating with people.