How to overcome Negative Influences

Everyone's goal in life is to achieve, in some form or fashion, a level of success. Whether that success comes from being a savvy business owner, successful manager, stay at home mom, or the world's most successful couch potato. So technically speaking our business in life is to be successful. Most importantly our purpose is to achieve happiness and through this we attain true success. However, in a spiraling economy, and a cloud of negativity swirling around like a dust bunny, the vacuum of persistence to stay positive has lost its electricity.

As church is to Sunday's 90% of the human race DEFAULTS to negativity when times go south. We as a society have come to EXPECT things to just come to us. And if they don't we are for lack of a better word, not as fortunate or lucky as "they are". So how do you protect yourself from the invasion of the devils workshop of negativity? How do WE become one of "they's"

I think Napoleon hill said it best:

" Nature has endowed us with absolute control over one thing, and that is thought"

In 1929 following the crash of Wall Street the people of america were consumed with lack, poverty, desperation, foreclosure, job loss......sound familiar?? Everyone was consumed with fear. And those that succeeded like Rockfeller, Kennedy, Carnegie, Stone, Vanderbilt, had one thing in common. They protected themselves against negative influences. They refused to succumb to the outside influences. They refused to accept the norm and follow the heard. They were leaders rather than followers. They rose above the evil supremacy of overwhelming negative pressures, and mastered happiness in all forms.

Our economy is in dire straights. We are feeling it, hearing it, seeing it, reading it, dreaming it! It effects each and everyone one of us in different ways. But remember that you have the power to step aside. Recognize that we are susceptible to SUGGESTION. Our greatest weakness as a race is to be overcome with fear and to except too often the word IMPOSSIBLE. The news, the magazines, the internet, your friends, family, co workers. The influences are everywhere. Unfortunately the heard, raptured and engulfed with fear, refuses to move or budge. Paralyzed with worry, panic, anxiety and apprehension we too get wrapped up in the tornado of terror. SO how do we avoid this constant invasion of self destruction?

1) Stop complaining. It is what it is. The old world IS GONE. We will not be where we were for many years. And that is ok. It forces us to be resourceful and creative, and open our minds to new challenges...like getting to know that neighbor that has lived next door to you for five years!

2) Stop finding fault with everything and everyone. It will get you no where. Look for the good, and find the glasses of lemonade with your new, fresh lemons.

3) Stop being hopeless. It will get better, especially if you change your outlook. Donate your time, give back, give to others. You will be AMAZED at how rewarding it is. Better than any pair of new shoes or golf clubs.

4) Stop worrying. It causes indigestion, headaches, and poor health. Really ask yourself: Where can I channel this unused energy into? Soup kitchen???Church? Neighbor?

5)Stop tolerating negative and discouraging influences in your life. It is extreme but I have completely stopped watching the news in all forms. I watch happy, stupid shows, meditate, clean, read, and read inspiring quotes.

6) Find someone or something that encourages you, inspires you and makes you feel GOOD!

If you follow these guidelines you will find yourself less agitated, worried, and strapped with fear. Help each other out. Many people feel that true success is a great career with lots of money. Americans define themselves through their careers, level of income, recognition, and status quo. But that is not TRUE success or happiness. True happiness is a happy home, great friendships, a supportive family, a career that you LOVE, and a little money to have great BBQ's with those cherished friends and family you love.

How to stay upright in a downright economy.

Rumor on the street from economist, experts, specialist's, and full of shits, is that we are headed into another bleak fall and winter. While I am experiencing a wonderfully semi-profitable indian summer, I suppose all good things must come to an end. Hard to swallow when it seems that just a few short months ago (12 months to be exact) we were all wrapped up in our rugged, raw, unprepared, materialistic, individualism. Good Times.

Having the most profitable, and unprecedented successful year I have ever had, 2008 was turning out to be a wonderfully, exciting and opportunistic year. Then October hit. My husband lost his job, I moved into a space that chafed my expenses into a diminishing, turbulent overdrive that even Dale Earnhart couldn't navigate through. Somehow overnight I went from a few hundred dollars a month in expenses to over several, SEVERAL thousands, including a house mortgage. Out of work for eight months my husband sent resume after resume into the abyss known as the unfaltering, non existent job market. I struggled to keep my dearly beloved company, that I so lovingly nurtured into success after five years, alive and kicking as it hung on by a wing and a prayer. Not to mention a roof over our heads. And did I mention, there was NO business walking through my doors!

Luckily the past seven months, while bleak, inconsistent and fading, has taught me a lot about business and most importantly about friendship. I no longer rush into decisions. I take everything into careful consideration. I no longer take ANYTHING for granite. I APPRECIATE helpful, understanding, kind people. I see more generosity, and benevolence than I have ever seen before. And I am doing everything I can to be helpful, understanding, and kind to those around me. Be thoughtful, selfless, and compassionate. We are all going through different variables of the same circumstances. Case in point:

A new rep of mine (who has been a true pinhead to me since day 1) recently filed for divorce. Unaware of HIS circumstances I was frantically calling him for over a week trying to get answers on a product I had numerous questions about. Now, him not getting back to me was nothing new. I found through experience that it generally took about 7-10 cell calls, 2-6 emails, 1-2 texts and 2-3 corporate calls to get a response. By the time I FINALLY got a hold of him I was belligerent. My client had been waiting on an answer and I couldn't do anything about it because this prudent ass wouldn't call me back. So I let him have it. Well he broke down on the phone, in a blubbering, sobbing mess. I couldn't even understand his words he was so upset. ( Might I add, this is not my area of expertise.) In unfamiliar, and downright uncomfortable territory all I could think was "oh shit, holy shit, SHIT!, is there a handbook for this sort of thing?" I quickly got off the phone. Not knowing what the hell happened, in a dazed, and pathetic state I moved on to the next item on my "to do" list. Seemed logical, reasonable and rational. Except for one thing. I couldn't stop thinking about him. For the next three days all I kept thinking was I should call him. Finally on Friday I did. As usual he didn't answer. But to my surprise he called me right back. I explained to him that I did not need anything work related. I simply wanted to call to check in on him, see how he was doing, (the best that can be expected I suppose) and to see if there was anything I could offer to console him. I told him I understood what he was going through, and had been thinking of him.

He was besides himself. Surrounded by numerous good ol' boy friends, and numerous lady friends, not one of them had called him. Except me. Now I don't know the reasoning behind the divorce nor do I care to know the details. Im already in uncharted waters as it is. BUT, I offered a small donation of kindness. We ended up talking for a good 15 minutes. I could hear the change in his voice as we continued to talk. He was smiling, delighted, and pleased that someone took the time out of their day to call HIM. Now this seemed, at the time, like a small and foolish thing to do.(After all, this IS NOT my area of expertise. I am not nurturing, warmhearted,doting or thoughtful) BUT, when I went home that night I felt incredibly good about the small deed I had just offered him. And while I was looking for nothing in return, he has now become a good friend, and answers my calls EVERY TIME.

So the question at hand:

How to stay upright in a downright economy?

Offer joy and happiness to a stranger. Be warm and caring. Offer help, be thoughtful and be sympathetic. Be understanding, and most of all be selfless. You will be amazed at how good it makes you feel, and you will be amazed at how a small act of kindness, generosity, and compassion can change someone's life!