Too much gloom and despair…it does not do us any good.

I make it a habit to ask business owners how they are doing where ever I go, as an interested  consumer. I is always amazing to me how willing business owners are to talk about their business to anyone who is interested enough to ask. When I go to a restaurant, or shop, at any store I am constantly checking the attitude barometer. Almost universally everyone is in he dumps, singing the blues, reporting and  projecting negativity, gloom and despair …

IT DOES NOT WORK!

It will create a self fulfilling result. If you think your business is in the dumps you will lead it into the dumps most assuredly because the following will occur.

The demeanor of your employees will be depressed and negative , taking  a cue from the owners and leaders. Your customers will sense the stench of defeat and will not want to shop or purchase services from you and your deepest fears will materialize…failure will breed in this environment, following your attitude.

Alternatively, I was at a great restaurant I frequent often last evening and noticed it felt a little less busy then normal for a Friday evening and I asked the owner how it was going. He reported ‘better then this time of the year last year’… He further said has beaten last years January numbers and again February was on track for a better month. He was confident, happy and projected success. It made me happy and  I felt more comfortable knowing the restaurant was doing well. It was a positive experience.

I have also been in restaurants recently that were a little less busy then usual and when asking the manager and hearing his report of despair, I did not want to eat there and had a poor experience.

Was it attitude? Was it a catchy thing like a disease spreading throughout the establishment projecting failure? YES!

So I say to you all, project success and it will come to you. Lead by action, and start with your employees. Even if revenues are down which you cannot hide from your employees as they know, you can still project an upbeat attitude, making all the changes you require to keep the business flowing and even if it means downsizing and overcoming some barriers and issues you can still  maintain a positive upbeat successful attitude which everyone around you will adopt be it positive or negative…your choice.

I say make it positive and reap the benefits. Project success and everyone will be attracted to the aura and come to your store. People want to go were the success is. They want to go to the party that is rocking not the one that is dead. They want to go to the place were they have fun and can forget the pressures of the downturn, they want to shop were people are enjoying themselves and high on the experience not were its one day away from closing the doors.

Financial reality can be bone crushing but attitude can change reality from bad to good.

Its the context you hold that will influence your demeanor and the ensuing effects it has on everyone around you. If the context is one of success…you will win, if it’s failure you will lose.

Tell the world you are doing well. experiencing little pain, making the adjustments required and growing through this recession and the market will respond accordingly and carry you to your goals.

Be the only one in your market claiming to be doing better and you will…do better.

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