The news isn't good. The forecasts are dismal. And Suze Orman
says we are in the Emergency Economy Room. In fact, she predicts that
it will take years to get our feet on safe soil. How can small business square off with the tough economic times we face?

Recent headlines tell us that 1 in 6 homeowners have lost all equity in their homes and owe more than the property is worth.

We are compelled to watch favorite news broadcasts and catch up on the latest blogs and websites.. Many small business owners are living in chaos with no credit to be had and employees to pay. Suppliers are demanding COD for inventory you must have to stay in business, and the cash isn't available.

WHAT CAN A Small Business OWNER DO?

1. Feed the creative juice: Spend at least 15 minutes a day listening to your favorite inspirational speaker, educator or personal development mentor. Don't be
the "fallout" of a bad news crazed media. Take personal responsibility for seeing
the possibilities in any situation.

2. Feed your neighbor: Become aware of those around you who are also in a
struggle. When Wall Street burps, the wealthy feel nauseous, the middle class "throw up" and the poor are choking. Everything is relative. You are not alone, and you engage a powerful source when you become a channel to help those less fortunate than yourself.

Go into a business down the street and give them your business. Tell them how
much you appreciate them in your community.

3. Become part of the solution: Credit has become our way of life, but it wasn't always so. Turn on your ticker! Who do you know that you could joint venture with to assist you in your business bottleneck? How could you make it a win-win for them and you? What can businesses in your community do to help one another and the consumers who are also feeling the squeeze.

4. Embrace the idea of uncertainty: Uncertain outcomes can be scary and more than that, the fear of uncertainty can paralyze our present moment. We like to feel we have a say, some control, and that we can direct the future.

Truth is: We never do. We have only this moment. The future changes beyond our wildest dreams.

Uncertainly brings with it the promise of possibility. As quickly as things collapse, good ideas can begin to flow and implementation of those ideas can change or enhance desperate situations.

Uncertainty is just that...we don't know the outcome! So stop acting like you do!
You don't know what the outcome of your loss might provide. You can't predict how you would live if you didn't have a house or a mortgage. You may move next door to a human being who would change your life for the good in a remarkable way. You have no idea of what is possible.

You need to dream your own dream. Don't let the lowest common denominator of thought determine your emotional outlook.

HOW DO WE EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY?

Allow things to be. This idea that we want to fight against everything we don't like simply won't materialize the outcome you desire. Fighting is resisting, and what you resist persists.

By allowing I don't suggest passivity, but rather the understanding that life is what it is at this moment.

It's not just WALL ST. that is at fault. A great majority of us wanted to live beyond our means. WALL ST. took advantage of our ignorance and greed and capitalized on the profits. Now we are all in the same mess manifest to different degrees. What is IS. No more blaming. Instead ...ask yourself : What can I do for my own benefit and the benefit of my community at large?

Welcome the energy of fresh ideas. Talk to younger people and listen. They are stained with with a history of struggles and competition. Their ideas are simpler, cleaner, and often profound. Even young children become the voice of wisdom when our adult fears and need to control monopolize our senses.

Talk to older folks who have been there and back. Listen to the magic of how life took turns they never expected, and the outcomes were blessings they could never predict.

Make peace with letting go. Some things in our lives are going to change and we will need to adjust. But the moment change happens, the S.H.I.F.T. happens and you begin a new path towards opportunities that didn't exist in your former state.

Harmony Thiessen is a THINK TUB strategist. Using her own creative intelligence and experience, combined with the expertise of a select group of experts, she offers her clients cutting edge ideas and the strategic implementation methods to help you succeed.

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