By Mitch Drew
Jan 1st, 2009
VANCOUVER – As we welcome in another New Year, I'm sure many of you are thinking about what lies ahead in these uncertain economic times. What you may not know and what the media is NOT telling you is that times like these create a whole new set of opportunities.
Making a few minor adjustments in your thinking and attitude could set the stage for you to develop a new opportunity. Experts say that this is a once-in-our-lifetime chance to really make an impact!
To understand this, we need to remember that when times are good, everyone does well. People with little talent and skill can buy stock and the stocks go up, invest in real estate and the prices rise, even success in business is easier when the economy is booming.
In tough times the rules change and many of the people who 'coasted' during boom times are finding it more difficult to succeed in this new 'adjusted' economic climate. If you are one of the people who can recognize opportunity, you may be able to succeed at a much faster rate and to a much higher level. Here are a couple of options:
Option A: Follow the lead of King Henry V and make history!
A great place to start is to examine history and see who 'kicked ass and took names' during challenging times and beat impossible odds. There are many examples of how the 'underdog' decided to make aggressive moves against all odds. When the competition or the enemy is sleeping, weak or deflated they can be defeated much easier.
One of the best stories to study is The 1415 Battle of Agincourt. The English army led by King Henry V battled the French on French soil. The English were outnumbered at least 2:1 and managed to win this historic battle by aggressively advancing on the entrenched French and blasting them with English Longbows.
King Henry's army was tired, sick and had been on the road away from home for over two weeks, but the King knew that the French were entrenched and not as prepared as they should have been. The French were in a state of ‘crisis’ and had hunkered down in a defense mode. Although the French had more soldiers, they were applying a different strategy of 'holding ground'. So on the night before the battle, King Henry gave his battle speech...made famous later in the William Shakespeare play Henry V and told the troops that they were going to take their English Longbows and shoot the lights out of the French. He also reminded the men in a pre-battle motivational speech that this band of soldiers would be remembered as the guys that got the job done...against all odds! “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”
Option B: Start shouting “Say hello to my little friend!”
In the final scene from the movie Scarface, Al Pacino's character is frantically assembling a huge gun to take his final stand; and from this scene we can all learn a valuable lesson in life. Never give up! Even if all of the odds are against us and we have virtually no hope in succeeding, keep trying and keep advancing.
Now you may not need to go out and purchase an M16 5.56mm with a 40mm M203 grenade launcher, but think about all of the tools you have that you can assemble and put into action. You have your mind, your experience, your talents and your positive energy!
Option C: Read the “Never, Never, Never Give Up” Winston Churchill speech.
Recently I asked a highly respected motivational trainer the question, “what is the number one reason why people fail?” The answer was simple and only took 3 words, THEY GIVE UP!
When Winston Churchill spoke to the graduating class of his former school, he summed up a lifetime of achievement in politics, leadership and often in battle. His many quotes contain a similar idea that if you keep going and persevere under any circumstance; you will likely achieve the desired results. Churchill is the epitome of a leader who knew the power of positive thinking and knew that the tougher the times…the weaker the opponent. When you look into 2009, remember that the current economic situation is an opportunity and many of the obstacles that could have blocked your success in the past will be weaker and easier to get over, under or through!
Option D: When in Rome….
Even the early Romans knew that tough times brought out the best in people. In the times of Augustus, the Roman lyric poet HORACE ( Born December 8th, 65 BC) wrote the following:
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.
HORACE
So in 2009 it's up to you. Awaken those talents that have been sleeping during the boom times and launch a few Longbows. You might be amazed at the results!
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Mitch Drew
Vancouver, Canada
mitchdrew@dccnet.com
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