Getting Ahead in Business
Why does it seem that everybody today has a very negative attitude? We know that we are in a recession and eventually we will get out of it and have a bright and prosperous future, but why don’t people see the possibilities?
If you ask a business person “how is your business going?” They may tell you, “It was bad year, it’s bad today, and it will be bad next year.” You get a negative answer, negative this and negative that. It seems that we are surrounded by negative entrepreneurs, which is never good for building business.
Business people go to the bank for a loan, and the banks are not receptive in this economy unless the business has collateral. Due to this, many business people in 2009/2010 have tapped into their credit cards, relatives and friends to borrow money to stay afloat and pay for their business and personal bills. We also hear that unemployment is up, housing is down, gas prices are going through the ceiling, and the stock market is going south so we continue to talk, read and hear only negativity from the media.
The first six pages of the newspaper are negative and listening to the news on radio and television is negative. Many times I am afraid to ask someone how they feel, because I know I will have to listen to a negative reply. Being negative does not help your business, but it can destroy it.
According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition of negative is: “Containing, expressing or implying a denial or refusal that says “no’ (a negative reply), opposite to something regarded as positive, specific a) lacking in positive character or quality, lacking evidence, affirmation, etc. Having the effect of diminishing, depriving or denying” (a negative personality and so on).
When everybody feels negative reactions to most life events — be it in their business or personality — they should stop complaining and do something about it. There are many ways to find the answer because nothing is impossible. Go to the library or your favorite book store and search books showing you how to improve your business. Go online and search videos or articles about how to improve your business. Talk to successful business people in your field and outside your field. Read bios on successful people who have built their businesses and not only survived but thrived in challenging times, such as Bill Gates (Microsoft), Jeff Hayzlett (Eastman Kodak), Jack Welch (former chairman of General Electric), Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg and mayor of New York City), Donny Deutch (Deutch Inc.) and many more.
If you have a budget for it, discuss with with business consultants that specialize in your field.
Author Jeffrey Gitomer stated, “Negative people are worse than negative occurrences. The argument is over in 10 minutes, the person may hang around for years.”
I would like my readers to try my 24-hour Getting Ahead test. Take one full day and:
• Do not use any negative words in your vocabulary
• Be positive with all your statements
• Do not have a negative thought about yourself or someone else
• Wake up happy and eager to go to work with smile
• Go forward and look at the big picture.
We’ll look at more ways to stay positive in a recession in my column on June 9. In the meantime, please email my column to any negative friends, relatives, associates or acquaintances.
Milton J. Paris, is the President and Founder of Getting Ahead in Business, business coaching and business consultancy in Monroe Twp. New Jersey. (973) 619-9203 http://www.gettingaheadinbusiness.com/
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