5 Tips to Stay On Top During Difficult Times

The first sentence in the article on apnews online (http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090309/D96QMNLO0.html) today said, "Warren Buffett remains confident that America's best days are ahead." It also quoted Buffett as saying, "Everything will be all right. We do have the greatest economic machine that man has ever created." But, was that reflected in the title. Of course not. The title of the article was: "Buffet says nation will face higher unemployment." Why does the article focus only on the negative?

Negativity and fear is attractive to more people. Most people slow down to see a car wreck on the highway. How often do people pay attention to positive events, like children happily playing nearby, or people laughing? Is it in our best interest to worry about the economy? Or, would we be better off if we focus on how we'll pull out of it?

These are challenging times. Challenging times help us to be strong, to learn and grow. It's time to focus on where we want to go next and prepare for this, not wallow in the mud. Let's take Buffett's confidence to heart, and look ahead to a bright future. Here are 5 steps to help do this:

1. Refuse to entertain negative thoughts. Catch yourself when you're having them and think about something else. Worrying creates the thing we fear most. Drop the negative projection.

2. Meditate. There's no way around this. How can you drop the negativity without teaching yourself mind release techniques? Meditation will bring you home and give you control over your fears.

3. We are experiencing more than a bad economy. We are all experiencing a radical change - redefining jobs, strategies, values and needs, our selves. The most important strategy in today's economy and world is to first be clear about what you want and what you most value in your life. Be open to redefining who you are and what you need. Have you been on the right path? Is it time to change that path? What do you have to offer and what do you want life to offer you? Now is the time to rethink your life strategy. Once you have seen this clearly, your career strategy will open up for you naturally, and your answers will come quickly and effectively.

4. The next step is to communicate who you are and what you want to others. Write your intentions down and ask for what you want. Visualization during meditation can be very effective in bringing your new life into focus. Prayer is another means of projecting your vision. Then, networking and marketing - reaching out via social networking and connecting with others in all activities - is the bridge between you and the world.

5. Rest up. What goes down will come up. This is the time to recharge, learn, replenish, and connect with family and friends.

We're experiencing a remarkable time in the history of the world. It's a tough time for most of us. But, don't give up. Think positive. Get ready for the future. It's going to be bright.

If you'd like assistance with creating the life you dream of, contact me at debhill@theAwarenessInitiative.com.