The Value of Optimism and Pessimism

No one likes to be a Pollyanna and yet no one wants to be a fool.

We are on the precipice of a big fall or on the large plateau before an eventual climb. The scale has respectable weights on each side. We could head for deflation or we could eventually see hyper inflation. So many governmental entities are waging to keep the balance.

Short term reports are not always good long term indicators. Where as in the past we normally looked to see how leading companies were fairing as bell weathers of future prosperity, there are much larger forces in play.

Now we have to look at how Portugal, Spain and the Euro will fair in case of bank defaults. We have to consider how global investors will evaluate the dollar as the U.S. tries to spend its way to growth.

As individuals we cannot function at our optimum if we harbor negative thoughts. We need energy to create advancement. We need a positive outlook to fuel passion. We have to stand out among others to attract the good fortune we deserve.

This does not mean we should be egocentric and try to step on others in our climb. It means that we can only depend on ourselves to carry us through what ever we may be facing. We must marshal our own resources and focus our energy.

Since governments have a larger impact on the economy than Wall Street, I think it would be best to follow their model of increased austerity. When future income is in doubt it is probably better to reduce expenses.

We should follow the lead of prospering businesses. Use all our resources and focus to be more competitive. Each company and individual would do well to inventory their strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities.

For the individual, we can create a positive mental outlook by improving our energy through fitness and health. If you are feeling better everyday, it cannot help but create a feeling of optimism about what you could create given the chance.

“Getting to Peak Performance” should be a strategy of every individual as their trump card to play in the new game.  Some of the areas that could be natural resources for individuals are healthy eating, fitness, creativity, innovative capabilities, whole brain thinking, and emotional intelligence.

If you are focused and rapidly developing your own capabilities you are creating both a great offense and defense. You could be in the Super Bowl of personal performance. It would be hard to be pessimistic if you are personally growing. At least some of your negative thoughts would get balanced and hopefully over whelmed by the positive transformation you are personally creating.

In the near future, I will be further developing resources for these personal transformation areas and invite you to tune in.