It is quite apparent to almost everyone: times are tough. This may not be the case for some, but it is definitely the case for most people, especially here in the United States. So what does all this mean? This not so good economy can be perceived in 2 ways. You can view our current economic situation as ‘the worst thing that can ever happen’ or you can also view it as ‘your chance to make it big’.
The Worse Thing That Can Ever Happen
Unfortunately, most people will begin or have already began to perceive our current economic situation in this negative way. People who have this perception usually say things like:
- “There aren’t any opportunities…”
- “The US economy is terrible right now…”
- “Everyone is having a hard time…”
- “Who knows when this thing will turn around…”
You get the point…
These are people who do not understand that regardless of whether the economy is good or bad, it is still a pretty equal playing field. What I mean by that is most people face the same challenges you face with no advantage in particular. The economy has not slowed down for just you, it slowed down for everyone.
People with this perception also have a tendency to become lazy, frustrated, angry, and depressed. All negative feelings that not only prevent you from personal growth, but they also prevent you from achieving success.
Let me tell you that these negative feelings do happen to the best of us, but the difference between the two types is that your chance to make it big’ people are able to better communicate positivity and action to their minds.
Your Chance to Make it Big
Luckily, some people have more control over their thoughts than others which allows them to have a much more positive and in some cases profitable perspective than others. Even though the economy is challenging, this group tends to view it as their chance to make it big. These people say things like:
- “I’m going to work my butt off…”
- “It’s my time to shine…”
- “While everyone is wallowing in their misery, I’m going to make it happen…”
Big difference in the way they speak huh?
The reality of our current situation is that during times likes these, people put their creativity on ‘high’ allowing them to create more and more ways of becoming successful and prosperous.
Take a Few Steps Back for Every Giant Leap Forward
I originally re-reminded of this idea when I read Tom Gorecki’s Blog on “Are your parents doing more harm than good” Now given the topic is a bit different, but the message most definitely applies. To those who are suffered with the challenges of moving back in with mom and dad, I say do it. This is something I define as taking a few steps backward. For those who can, it is totally worth moving back in with your parents to save a thousands of dollars a month. That money you save can be used to help you make more money. Once you have more money to play with, you can learn the ideology of using your money to make you more money. My friend Neil Patel is a Internet mogul and is proud to live with his parents!
The time for you to work hard is right now. By you working hard and taking those few steps backwards will help you take some giant leaps forward as the economy starts to turn around. I always say that if you can become successful in or during this economic situation, you will able to succeed anywhere no matter what. That is a pretty bold statement and should not be taken lightly.
How to Take a few steps back
- moving in with someone
- stop spending money on ‘wants’
- cut out traveling
- start studying and learning (investing time)
- limit taking days off
- taking on a part time job
- taking a pay cut
It is usually hard for people to take a few steps back because they automatically begin to think each step backwards is negative. If you take a look at almost all of the successful people in this world, most of them had to take several steps backwards various times throughout their life in order for them to get where they are at today.
Work While Others Sleep
Now you do not have to take this in literal terminology, but it would be in your best benefit to spend more of your time working both on your business AND in your business. Working in your business means that you are developing new business while working on your business is honing in on your skills. For example, working on your persuasive communication to learn the language of persuasion. Being able to communicate effectively is working on your business.
I cannot tell you enough that if you are spending your time moping about why all this is happening to you, why you got laid off, why you are not getting paid as much, why are you getting all these bills that you cannot afford, you are heading down the wrong path.
First
Change the questions you ask yourself.
Second
Write a 90 day plan of action and follow
Third
If you have extra time, and even if you do not, make extra time and work on your business
Giant Leaps
You want to take giant leaps, then be comfortable with setbacks. Imagine yourself as a slingshot. In order for the slingshot to work, you must pull it as back as you can. After you let it go, it can launch something 100x the distance you pulled back.
Decide right now to be comfortable taking a few steps back because it can help you go 100 steps forward.
Which direction are you stepping towards right now?
Great post AJ! I would say that since I was laid off a few months ago I’m back peddling a bit.
Thanks Edgar.
Just know that your back peddling will be what slings you forward much further.
I use to be in Real Estate busting my butt everyday for 12 sometimes even 15 hours a day. I put in my time. It took me almost 6 months before I even saw a dime. Finally, I reached a point within my 5 year period of being in Real Estate where I earned close to 350k/yr.
It is all about hard work and dedication. You pay your dues and reap what you sew.
Even though times are tough, like you said, you just got to work harder than everyone else.
Wow. Yeah I was in the real estate sales training industry for a while so I’m very familiar with how the process is. I’m curious but am sure I know the answer to why you got out.
I wish God to answer a question “Is money important to live on planet earth?”
Well, I can only give my own opinion and that answer is definitely a yes.
Read this: What is the answer to 99 out of 100 questions?
Can someone send this post to every unemployed person please!
It offers such hope and that’s what everyone needs.
I agree with moving in with parents, or another relative, a roommate etc. There is even a website where they will match you up if you are looking for a place to live with people who want to rent out rooms. I’m going to see if I can find that . I know I saved it.
It’s our ego that tells us we’re less than because we have less. Don’t listen!
Thanks for that Tess! Yeah, when you get a chance, I would love to place that link on the site. And yes it is our ego and our pride that prevents us from doing the things we are uncomfortable with. I will tell you first hand that it is when and only when you let your pride and ego GO, you will see outstanding results.
I liked your post thank you. The one thing I will add is most people grow the most during challenging times not when things are peachy. To all the comments about money. There is nothing wrong with money a lot of good can be done with it the key question is; does your money control you or do you control it. Jesus spoke more about MONEY in the Bible then any other topic. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that but it is true. Why do you think that is?
Money controls how we act because of its power. Money in doubt makes the world go round. Money can corrupt some and bring out the good in others. The truth of the matter is that money is not going anywhere so don’t question it’s existence or negativity, instead embrace it’s power, make lots of it, and use it for what every you ethically believe to be the right thing 🙂
Yes the cream rises to the top during challenging times.
Mo Money Mo Problems
lol, j/k… Good Post!
You said it right Notorious B.I.G.
I love this post!! I have been going to a huge personal change which includes my finances and not having what I am accustomed to, plus with the economy problems this didn’t help. I am slowly getting things back to where they need to be and I have been living with out all of my extra’s and feeling better than ever!
Thanks Kristen. The best part is that now that you are able to prosper in this down economy, things will being to go much smoother for you as the economy picks up.
I’m glad to hear that your feeling at the top of your game 🙂
Oh shoot, I just realized i got a trackback from this post to my site.
Thanks AJ, aside from taking initiative and paying more bills, I have cut back on unnecessary spending with going out, eating out, personal spending.
Best of all I have a budget to follow, which helps a lot
No problemo tom. I applaud your success in saving money by following through with all those cutbacks. Changing your lifestyle is not an easy thing to do.
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Thank you for taking the time to write this brilliant article. I’ll be sure to share this with my friends. Thank you!
hihihi! I really like your post on Take a Few Steps Back for Every Giant Leap Forward. My name is ho chi minh city, can we exchange links?
Thank you for taking the time to write this brilliant article. I’ll be sure to share this with my friends. Thank you!
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