Lately, so much of what we’ve been hearing about the economy has been daunting.  It can give a person a feeling of helplessness.  It’s not that I don’t care about the big 3 carmarkers going under, the millions of people who have lost their jobs, big businessess going under, or the number of foreclosed homes that keep raising, but what “grinds my gears” is the way it’s being reported.  If you pay attention to the way news is reported you will notice that the media tends to focus on the negative.  If often gives very little in the way of facts but provides lots of opinion.  Why is it so difficult for the media to balance it’s reporting with solutions and strategies to get through these tough economic times?  Though most of us have our theories, we’ll likely never know the full answer to that question.  What I do know, however, is that if one third of what they report on focuses on solutions, I gaurantee, it will not only change consumer confidence but the economy will “fix” itself.

The daunting news is going to continue with even grimmer speculations for the first half of 2009.  The question is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to continue allowing all of the negative reporting to determine the faith of your life, or are you going to take control by rejecting the belief that all is grim and focusing on some sure-fire solutions to help you and your family get through the tough times?

From my analysis, if you’re not in the top 3 % of the population in terms of wealth, your economic livelihood is doomed because it is directly tied to the “bad” economy.   To some extent that is true, we can’t deny the fact that many of us work for someone else for a living and if your company is impacted by the economy there’s a great chance you will not have a job, therefore, affecting your economic condition.   However,  your economic condition isn’t just tied to your employment, it is greater than that.  It is your ability, capacity, skills and talents that you can capitalize on to develop a new approach to your economic survival.    Once you understand that you are not limited by your employment status, you can take control of your life by limiting your dependence on the economy.

The “New Economy” is an economy that is driven by  your individual choice,  a shift in prespective and development of sustainable resources.  It means changing the way you are currently living your life from the types of goods and products you consume, to the food you eat and the types of activities in which you engage.  It may mean limiting your consumption which will decrease your spending, and investing in  quality resources that yield high sustainable returns.  No, I’m not talking about traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, CDs, etc.  I’m talking about people.  Yes, believe it or not your friends, family, associates are quality resources.  You can harness their time, skills, expertise, strengths to develop systems that are mutually beneficial and highly sustainable to your quality of life.

The “New Economy” means less focus on money and more focus on human potential and human connection.  Sound far fetched to you?  Well, consider this.  All across the USA there are people  living in communities that are almost completely independent of the economy.  They do not consume foods that are mass produced and instead grow their own food.  Their homes are powered by solar energy.  They live amongst other peopole that support their other phsyiological needs such as social interaction and acceptance.  Now sure this may sound a bit extreme for most, but it’s a great example of how we have the ability to control how much of an impact the economy has on our lives.

The “New Economy” means your choice between meeting a need or fullfilling a want.  It means changing your perception of what’s important.   Ask yourself, is that $50,000 car a need, or a desire? especially if you can only afford a $20,000 car.   Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with giving in to your desires every once in a while.  Our desires make us human.  But to thrive and not just survive in these times requires smart decision-making and perhaps the temporary sacrifice of a dream/desire.

In this “New Economy” the measure of success isn’t about your financial status, or fame.  It is about your economic literacy and knowledge of creating effective systems that have a positive and wide-range impact on other’s lives.  It is about changing your relationship with money by understanding it’s true purpose, an instrument use for exchange of goods, services, products, not the measurement of success.

 

The New Economy is offered as a workshop.  Contact me for more details at info@indigocoachingsystems.com.