By John Carroll

In an earlier column, we looked at the cyclical nature of business. We considered the fact that wherever you are on the curve at present, you can expect yourself to be elsewhere on the curve in a time frame that no one can predict.

Now let’s take a look at some specific ways to handle yourself, your emotions and your business through what could be for you some challenging times.

See things for what they are

If you’re going to look at the picture where it appears a bit grimy and unattractive, make sure you look at the entire picture. Consider the following: There were plenty of real estate foreclosures long before any current downturn.

It was a cottage industry that has turned into what some would call a full-blown profession with trade associations full of dues-paying members and entire conferences dedicated to the subject. These groups and events put big money into a local economy, keeping hotels, restaurants and airports busy and happy.

Many businesses continue to grow but more slowly than before. In some cases industries simply can’t handle the strain of so many consecutive years of record growth. They’ll stop, take a breath, then resume their growth curve perhaps a bit more slowly.

Most of us are in a long-term-relationship type of businesses, those that are experienced in transcending or toughing out temporary downturns in the market/economy. Be thankful for those relationships and stay in contact with people, if only to let them know you’re thinking of them and hoping that they’re doing well.

Repeat, “It’s only a movie.”

Remember that much of what you see on the screen of your mind is a product of your own making. As such, you have the power to control the final cut. Worry is a destructive emotion.

Most things we worry about simply never come true.

Many other things we worry about are miniscule, such as whether we’ll get a parking ticket today, and others deal with things that are in the past. A paltry 4% of things we worry about are actually worth worrying about. Therefore, why worry? 

• Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could possibly happen in this situation?”

• Write the answer.

• Resolve to accept the worst should it happen.

• Do everything to prevent the worst-case scenario from happening.

• Whistle through the graveyard. There’s no law that forces you to be afraid of anything. In this free society we make that choice ourselves. Sure, it’s scary out there. If you focus on that, you become immobilized and then you’re of little value to yourself or anyone else.

Keep moving through any climate

The basics are still the basics and those who forget to keep a steady flow of new prospects and new business can create their own mini-downturn simply by taking their eye off the ball.

Remember, action sends us lessons and helps create a sense of confidence.

Commit to a news fast

I know what I’m asking here, since you’re reading this in a medium that carries the news. Make this short-term and temporary, just like those business cycles. Skip the newspaper, TV, Internet and radio news for a day or two or even three. Two things will happen: First, you’ll likely miss very little of any big happenings due to the amateur network news reporters all around you, getting you up to date on the headlines. Second, you’ll find that your mental health and your outlook grow a bit brighter and your focus a bit clearer on the opportunities within your reach.

Keep your goals ahead

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. That goes for business as well as personal goals. Reinforcing and even rewriting your goals can help you regain your sense of purpose and momentum, two very important resources in any economic environment.

Remember the Law of Expectations

We tend to get what we expect and we tend to find what we’re looking for, so when we look for abundance, we find proof of it all around us. Similarly when we check only for scarcity, we find proof of it as well. Look for the abundance.

Live the Law of Concentration

Know that whatever we dwell upon grows. Focus on what you want and keep whistling as you walk through the graveyard. You’ll soon be out of the graveyard and back on solid ground.

Use these practical ideas to work your way through what some might term unpredictable and economically adverse times. Remember that no one actually knows beforehand when such times will arrive and when they’ll depart, and remind yourself that whatever it is, up or down, this market is temporary and will give way to a swing in the other direction.

John Carroll is an entrepreneur, executive coach, author and consultant as well as president of Unlimited Performance Inc. in Mount Pleasant. Reach him at 877-755-8844 or jcarroll@uperform.com.

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