To Survive or Thrive?

I absolutely love this quote from Brandon Uttley's post, Stop Worrying About the Economy and Start Living Your Life!

The fact is, neither you nor I have any impact whatsoever on what happens with the government. Sure, we vote, we pay taxes and all that—but when it comes to something as monumental as the very financial system itself, we are pretty powerless. And no amount of worrying about it is going to do you or anyone else any good.

My advice is to control what you can, which is all between your ears. You can tune out all the negative news and energy, all the stuff you can’t control, and focus on the stuff you can. Stop complaining and blaming the economy, the government, the banks, etc. and do your part to make the world better—starting with your attitude and outlook.

Because it's so easy to find excuses. Yes, the recession is a big deal. But you still have control over you. If you're looking for ways you can take control, how about reading Take Your Vitamins from Harry Hoover's THINKing. He gives solid advice on how to improve your business - getting back to your customers and your employees and taking care of them: "marketing vitamins" as he cleverly terms them. So what can you do to change your business today? What can you do in your life or work to make it better? How can you better your community?

What would it look like if we decide to help out each other first instead of worrying about ourselves all the time? The same old thing isn't just going to work in this time.

If we look to providing value to the people we come in contact - customers, business partners, etc - then maybe in a way we can take care of one another first and in turn the business will come to us. Maybe, just maybe, not only can we "survive" a bad economy but also better ourselves and our relationships with one another while doing it. Instead of just surviving, maybe we can thrive.