One thing I am hearing a lot about is the shape the economy is in. I'm sure you are hearing about it as well. I know there are businesses legitimately affected by it so I certainly am not discounting that. I think the economy gets credit for a whole lot more than it should though. I've heard many blaming the economy for people losing their jobs, bankruptcies, foreclosures, costs going up, costs going down, bad moods, lack of sales, bad relationships with our kids, poor relationships with our spouse, etc. Wow, the economy sure is responsible for a lot! I'm not denying the fact these things can be affected by it, but are we supposed to just accept it? I would like to know what good can come from even talking about it. How can you not get depressed when the news sensationalizes it, or people throughout the day are talking about it? It is really hard to focus on anything positive when we are bombarded with all the negativity.
We spend time in our company meetings teaching everyone what the right way to think is. Listen, the economy isn't that great, I will admit, but we cannot afford to let these things affect our attitudes which will produce a result. (Thoughts create feelings, which create actions, which creates results - "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker). My company is counting on me to deliver! My teammates are counting on me to deliver! My spouse is counting on me to deliver! My kids are counting on me to deliver! There are people counting on you! This is an opportunity for the Pareto Principle (the 80/20 rule) to be at work in you. 20% of people think the right way, do the right things, make the biggest impact, and are the most successful. These are 20% of the people that reap 80% of all the benefits. Don't let yourself be one of the 80% that reaps 20% of the benefits. Are we supposed to just let things happen to us or go make things happen? You and I have a choice, and I choose the latter. There is much to be thankful for, even with all the mess. The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is the lowest in the nation at 4.6%. OKC banking is strong because it avoided the sub-prime lending mess. People say perception is reality. Perception may be strong, but facts are facts. You and I have a choice. People ask if we are affected at all by the economy. Diverse CTI's answer is, "we choose not to participate." Encourage people, they need it. Let's go make it happen, because there isn't another available option.