Here’s a “NEW Economy” approach to the OLD Economy
For a long time now, I’ve wanted to write a blog, and I spent a lot of time thinking about it … too much time. Then, I figured that it was time to stop thinking and just start doing. For my first blog post, I’m writing about my take on this economic crisis and some improved thoughts and attitudes to consider.
I’m a big TV watcher and podcast listener, because I just love me some content, and I do consume a lot. However, I’m sick and tired of all the depressing news out there about “The Economy.” Here are just some of the topics that I’m done with hearing about:
- The Economic Mudslide
- The Troubled economy
- The Great Recession
- The Bad Economy
- Down Markets
- The Economic storm
- The world is coming to an end
The way I see it is that everything works in cycles. The economy, similar to life, is like a sine wave with its ups and downs. I get that there is a yin and a yang to it all. What bothers me is that the focus is on the negative. Believe it or not, our current situation is not as bad as it was during the Great Depression, at least according to those people who lived through it.
It’s true that these times are different and difficult, but we need to step up to the plate and just deal with what is going on. As business owners, project managers and leaders, we need to adapt. And if we do, we’ll come out of this entire thing for the better. And not only that, it is not as bad here as it is in some places in the world where there’s no food, water or a place to really call home. So let’s get a little perspective.
In April, the G20 Summit will bring really smart people (and some who care more about themselves) together, and they will discuss how to get us out of this downturn. My fear is that all they will really do is talk about the “old” or “bad” economy, so I think every individual needs to start doing something. It all starts with changing our individual attitudes, one person at a time.
My thinking is that we are in a “New Economy.”
When you look at this as a ”New Economy,” you can be more positive and shed the negative. Yes, these are tough times, but the human spirit is strong, and we will persevere. But if we stick to the same kind of thinking, nothing will change. It’s time to confront and rethink our existing Mental Models[1] to become more innovative. This is a time of need for great managers and leaders, so speak up and question what you are hearing out there. Remember, your attitude is contagious, so make sure it’s positive and worth catching.
I want to give you a thought from one of my favorite great thinkers:
“There are two ways of being happy: We may either diminish our wants or augment our means – either will do – the result is the same; and it is for each man to decide for himself, and do that which happens to be the easiest. If you are idle or sick or poor, however hard it may be to diminish your wants, it will be harder to augment your means. If you are active and prosperous or young and in good health, it may be easier for you to augment your means than to diminish your wants. But if you are wise, you will do both at the same time, young or old, rich or poor, sick or well; and if you are very wise you will do both in such a way as to augment the general happiness of society.”
-Benjamin Franklin, statesman, author, and inventor (1706-1790)
Again, this is now your New Economy. You have the next couple of weeks or month to get out there and innovate, challenge old ideas and push back on the hype of negative attitudes. And drop me an email or post a message to tell me how it’s going.
[1] Peter Senge, “The Fifth Discipline.”
