Excelling in a bad economy
78These Can Be Awesome Times
With all the talk these days about bailouts, job loss's and a depressed global economy, people everywhere are becoming scared to move. Scared to spend, scared to invest, scared to upgrade their homes and scared to purchase new auto's. Fear is holding the whole process of recovery back. What can we do to not only survive these times but excel?
I've learned that the best way to move forward in life, is by turning 180 degree's and running in the opposite direction from the masses. That I find is true advise in both good and bad economies.
The entire process of moving forward today is complex. Competition is fierce, buyers are more educated, financing more tricky than any other time in our life time. Yet, now is NOT a time to sit back and wait to see what happens. Now is a time to move forward with all your abilities in motion.
If you have a product or service to market, expect and plan to make multiple calls on every prospect if you are to make a sale. Therefore plan your presentations with that in mind. Prepare yourself ahead for not only for one follow up call, but as many as ten or twelve follow. Plan your follow up process in advance. Design a follow up process. Have a reason planned in advance for every step in the sales process. Add a new and exciting benefit, or a success story from one of your happy customers. That means not telling them every benefit on the initial presentation. Hold some back for your follow up and the process will lead you to the sale you are looking for.
Work daily on your own attitude. Keep yourself positive and excited. Look for new opportunities with every move you make. Opportunities today will go un-noticed if you are negative and not looking for the good things in life as you go about your daily activities.
It is a little known fact that during the depression of the 30's, many self made millionaires of the time made their start.
Unlike the depression of the 30's, where small business's popped up on street corners and concession stands, in todays world, home based business's will flourish in these times. Positive people will turn their non-productive home time into lasting careers, that will continue long after the economies of the world adjust to the new environment.
Home based business's are more flexible and overhead is lower than traditional business.. Seek out a product that has value in the market place today. A system and company are of no value at all if the product has no value to the world. Also make sure you have in interest in the product. Your interest will help you capitalize on your own passion.
Apply yourself with action and keep a positive outlook. Use the Internet as much as you can. The web is full of ways to market online. But, don't stop there. Also network within the community you live in and use New Papers and Mail in practical ways as well. Keep your marketing and advertising costs low and your actions and efforts high.
Use your spare time in a positive creative manner and these times you will find will be the best you ever experienced. Don't look for magic to happen, but look for the tiny signs that show you are winning. The old quote Romes wasn't built in a day must be adhered too. Tiny steps taken forward, when everyone else is sitting watching and waiting, will lead you way ahead of the masses. (see my article here on hubs "Full Speed Ahead, One Inch At A Time.")
Remember, it is when things are bad that creativity and action will give you the greatest edge. While everyone else is tightening their belts and waiting, loosen yours and run like mad..... but run in the opposite direction the masses. Face the fact times are tough with a smile and you will not only survive theses times, but you can and will excel.
Love - Light - Laughter
Neil Sperling
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Comments
anjalichugh- cool - you are first to comment - love the point you made.. thanks
Excellent hub, Neil! I especially like the bit about maintaining a positive attitude.
Thank you for this great advice!
A good friend of mine once said to me that he'd succeeded most, and had his best business ideas 'when his ass was on the burner'. These challenging times are not all gloom and doom. For every loser there will be a winner. it's a bit like Newtons Law, 'for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.'
Thank you for this sensible, up-beat hub!
I have saved this Hub to read and re-read. I love your positive attitude and level headed approach to business and life in general. I have had seven weeks of no appraisal orders....first slow time in 20 years in my profession! I spent the first week frozen in fear. Then I got busy, organizing, improving my working environment, reading, learning, and getting outside my comfort zone! I credit friends like you who inspire me to keep growing! My new online financial ventures are begining to pay off as well! I will come out of this a better person!
Melissa, Amanda and Sigh of relief - Thank you all for taking the time to comment.
Melissa - I hope you can apply something new after reading this hub.
Amanda - Thanks for your Sensible and upbeat comment <--0-->
Sigh - Wow - you summed up a very positive and "proactive" reply. It is people like you who make sharing worth while... Thank you!
Love - Light - Laughter
Neil
This song by the up and coming rock group "The JOYS" fits this article completely.
Helpful hub. During hard times, though, it's hard to be tough. It's also hard to not do what everyone else is doing. :)
Beatsme - You said it - but tough times means mental toughness needs to be exercised to one best capabilities.
Neil,
I like your thoughts and approach. Thanks for sharing this.
Here's my take on this topic :)
morrison - glad you dropped in and took the time to comment - I appreciate it.
Nice hub Neil and I totally agree! We need not be bound by fear! The media coverage does cause people to just want to run or stick their heads in the sand! In my opinion, it would be better to leave the TV off and stay away from much of what's in print even (but then we'd be ignorant of where peoples fears are stemming from).
Stay positive and proactive and we will overcome and prosper! (What is that saying about successful people and attitude being 90%?)
Christine - thanks :-)
Hi Neil!
Positivity has a great effect on everything you do, and brings out the best in you. Thanks for assuring. Assurance of this kind helps to re-construct, or repair mind sets.
Cheers :)
Thanks for sharing quicksand
So true - and to be positive and encourage others are two things that the shadow government do not want us to do..... LOL
Excelling in a bad economy
Funny article
linjingjing - Then I am happy I made you smile
I do like your positive attitude but try selling apples on the street corner nowadays, they'd arrest you.
Dolores - So true - I love N.America for the freedoms we USED to have.
That being said - you can sell apples on ebay with a rental post office box...LOL
where there is the will there is the way
Great hub. I've been thinking of moving out of a 30 yr prof career, and into what I've always wanted to do. You do have a great talent to inspire. I am sure I will return to this hub in the process of transitioning. Thanks very much. Valerie
Wow Valerie - thanks for the compliment
Glad it reinforced your thoughts.... Boogie!
Good hub. Thinking positive is great. You know there are areas that are flourishing and growing, but the media won't report too much on those area, such as fitness ;)
There is hope despite the economy. We just have to have the determination to get it.
Thanks for the timely advice. And I agree, it takes more follow-up to close anything requiring an investment of time OR money! It was inspiring to hear it come from someone else!
Neil, As always, inspiring and wonderful hub...with really good advice thrown in! You are truly a light in the darkness. Thanks for the reminder, "run 180 degrees"! Thanks for this!
Good advice no matter what the economic climate is. Negative thinking only begets negative results. Some days it may feel like the only thing you have going for you is your attitude. But that's a pretty powerful thing!
Thanks for this uplifting hub! MM
Money is dead, but love is still alive.
What's left and what's next?
I love this hub. I have a little personal motto, its pretty simple "Failing economy? create your own economy". I aim to have 1000 pages of online content, on this site and blogs, by the time the world economy picks up... whenever that may be... By being proactive when things are down, you will benefit when things pick up... watch adsense payments rise in a couple of years (I am the eternal optimist!)
ufgcom - So true - the media tells us what they want us to think about.
RGraf - I'm not giving up hope! :-)
Lady Rogue - Follow up Follow up - Follow up ... LOL
Mighty Mom- Keep your attitude girl ... :-)
DarwinsLaureate - Next !!!
ryankett - 1000 pages -- long as you share value - that's a worthy goal that should bring you rewards - but 1000 pages of crap.... your results will follow.... LOL
k@ri - keep running :-)
Thank you for responding to my question.You should publish a book because people seem to respond to your hubs.There must be more within you.Enjoy your journey,Peace.
Tamarii2 - Wow - what a nice thing to say - Thank you!
They say that like attracts like and that being positive will bring more of the same, then I stumble upon you in my fan list out of the blue and read your Hubs and think to myself...FINALLY someone else who is not giving in to fear and inaction. You are the lighthouse on the shore after the storm my friend.
I love the part about "running in the opposite direction from the masses"--how true! Keep up the good work!
Scott.Life - Never been called a light house before - thanks - keep slugin my friend. All is good!
reconciled heart - Thanks for the vote of confidence
Yes, great hub.! Networking and how to maintain a positive attitude is the key to success.
Very encouraging, good advice. By the way, I read another hub in which you wrote about your daughter. It's really wonderful that she's returned to you and your skills are helping her.
great hub, truly it is not what happens to us but more about what we are going to do about it.....time does seem to march on with or without us.
Shayvonharris - you are so correct - networking and attitude.
United we fly with the right thinking added! Takes both "thinking right and working with others"
Margaret Morris - Yip - I am one proud Dad - she just graduated from a collage course and is now a P.S.W. (personal support worker) so she will look after her old man when he is old...LOL
loveofnight - time is marching on - and I am late replying to a few posts - thanks for reminding me and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Love - Light - Laughter
Neil
=`=
ah...another fine lift for us all. your love for human kind and your straightforward method of delivering it makes all of us better humans.
we can use all the positive lift up in now days, thank you for great advice.
Very interesting hub, filled with good advise and information, Great Job.
Go with God my Friend,
Valerie
Great hub! Thank you for such positive advice...I didn't know that so many millionaires came out of the Depression! Good to know, and that definitely helps put a bounce in my step again :) Thanks for writing this!
Thanks for your great advice --all of it applies beautifully to hubpaging as well!
In the west, the word “crisis” has come to mean a situation or season in which things are uncertain, difficult, or even painful. It is an especially precarious period when a specific action must be taken to avoid an impending disaster or breakdown looming in the given moment.
In the east, the Chinese word for crisis is a compound of “danger” and “opportunity.” This is in reference to the actual translation of the word weiji. Wei means “dangerous.” Opportunity, on the hand, would generally be translated as jihui, meaning something likened to “moment of chance.” Weiji, then, is probably best translated “dangerous moment,” a pretty accurate definition of “crisis.”
Given the financial struggle we face in this current economic crisis, your hub serves as a challenging reminder that we have before us a window of opportunity, a moment of chance if you will, to overcome this dangerous downturn. As you stated, "it is when things are bad that creativity and action will give you the greatest edge." A timely and excellent article on excelling in a bad economy!
I bookmarked this hub so I can, from time to time, read it again for inspiration. Very direct and positive. Thanks for the encouragement.
Inspirational and timely advice. A welcome antidote to negativity.
Great inspiring advice for everyone here. What you say about looking for the tiny signs that you are winning and getting things right is very true. A grand hub, to be sure! : )
Great motivational hub. Thanks so much.
Neil ~ You have an incredible attitude. Just move on through the tough times. No wonder you have so many fans here on Hubpages. I appreciate that you have taken the time to read and comment on my Hubs. Keep smiling and raise your head high!
Debby
anjalichugh says:
11 months ago
"Also make sure you have an interest in the product. Your interest will help you capitalize on your own passion."
I picked out this one from your article as it holds much sense. Instead of panicking and indulging in anything that falls in the way, it's sensible to pick something which one can hold on to for a long time.
Thx for a very valuable advice.