Get going on your big idea now, recession and all | March 18, 2009

No doubt if you've been glued to the TV or newspapers, you're scared witless. You are petrified that your job may be axed next and dread opening your credit card statements because the interest rates have been jacked sky high. As for your home, well, it's probably already gone... If you were to listen to the news.

I believe our economy is having some serious issues. Anybody can see that. In February, we had another 651,000 jobs lost, on top of the 598,000 that disappeared in January and the more than 3 million before that. Record numbers of homes are in foreclosure and credit card companies are jerking around folks by charging ridiculously high interest rates and banks are reducing lines of credit.

But.

I also think the reality of the situation is made all the worse by the perception of the situation. Sure, you can get wrapped up in the stuff the news organizations are saying. But if you do, you'll miss the opportunity to make your own situation better.

I'm not saying don't pay attention to the news about the economy. That would be foolish. But what I am saying is focus not on how bad people tell you it is out there, but on what you can do to make your situation better. Maybe now is the time to put some serious thought behind that business idea you've been toying with for years. Maybe now is the time to brush up on your skills or to learn something new. Maybe now is the time to rethink what you're doing and find smarter ways to do it.

Now is the time to figure out how you can make the most of today's economic downturn. Lots of people are going to come out of this thing in a much better position than they were two years ago. They'll do that by seeing the opportunities, rather than the obstacles. They will develop new businesses. Strength old ones. Create new alliances and partnerships. Find new investments. Develop new inventions. They will find new ways to serve others and make an impact, too.

So don't let the talking heads on TV fill you with such panic and uncertainty that you miss all the things going on now. Look ahead to this time next year. Wouldn't you rather be talking about the great move you made that totally changed your life, rather than lamenting about the time you hid under a rock?

Just to give you a boost, consider that some of the well-known corporations of today started during recessions or tough times. IHOP, MTV, CNN, FedEx, even Microsoft all started when money wasn't flowing freely. And look at where they are now.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again: You can't wait to start hearing good news in the media before you take your cue. The recession will end a lot sooner than you'll hear about it on TV. Get going on making your big change. Now is your time.