I remember this childrens' book that teaches the value of optimism and hard work. In this story, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Other larger engines are asked to pull the train, but they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can".

With our troubled economy and the media blasting us with bad news everyday telling us we are in a crisis, it's no wonder why people are full of fear.

Even when your friends and family members are panicking, don't do it. If you have to quit watching the news on TV for awhile, then do so.

What I do know from my own experience is the 'fear of the unknown'; fear about how to make enough money during slow times just to survive, let alone build a business. But I also know that fear produces more fear. It's kind of like 'the worse it gets, the worse it gets'. What kind of results will you get from worry? It's wasted energy. This is not to say that I have not worried. I have had plenty of sleepless nights over finances and family matters. But it certainly didn't help anything by worrying about it.

I've heard often, 'welcome to the real world', or that 'You're living in a fantasy world and that I need to face reality.' Or, "It's Bad..It's Really Bad". Yes, I do know things don't look great in our economy right now, but if I focus on that reality and get sucked into a negative mindset, it drags me down and freezes me in confusion. This is not a very productive place to be.

Use this reality that you are faced with as an opportunity for growth, rather than a problem that stops you.

If you think you can do anything, you can do anything. If you think you can't, you're right. You are the one with the most influence on your success or failure.

Read about companies that have succeeded during hard economic times. Read good business articles that have solutions to help us focus on the true promise of the American dream. Read about successful people who started a business from scratch, like Oprah. She has a vision and a passion for her work and has inspired millions of people. She also is an incredible business woman who owns every aspect of her company.

Keep your goals in your mind. Write them down on paper. Look at it much like 'planting seeds'; watering and nurturing them as they grow. With daily care and commitment, they will thrive and flourish.

Never forget why you are doing what you are doing. Work on the problems in your business, but don't let your focus be on the problems.

If you have a business, there are numerous ways on the Internet to increase your sales and develop a presence. Write articles and submit them to various free social sites such as Hub Pages, Squidoo, Ezine Articles, etc.

If you don't already have a business but are looking for one, there are numerous opportunities for starting one on the Internet. Do a little research. Learn about Web 2.0 Social and Media Marketing and Attraction Marketing at

Renegade University

I was totally psyched and wanted to kick it up a notch, so I read Ann Sieg's book, The Renegade Network Marketer. In her book she talks about social marketing and goes into great depth of how these social sites create a 'presence' on the internet. She explains in detail how to use monetization through affiliates, and creating a residual income. It is an easy-to-read book full of valuable information on how to tie it all together with Renegade University.

Associate with people who will build you up, not the ones that complain and hold you back. Let your family and friends know about your vision, but if they are full of fear and worry, don't let that stop you. Grow where you are and move right through all the reasons to quit.