Please turn off the radio and TV for a while and let me give you some
realistic opinions. Despite all the gloom and doom, there are solid
reasons for being optimistic in our times. If we keep our head cool and
assess facts objectively, this is what we find.
Ten ideas to reinforce your self-confidence and happiness
1.- ECONOMIC
RESTRUCTURING IS CREATING WEALTH. As a result of the current crisis,
some companies are going bankrupt. In most cases, this means that assets
are being taken over by a different management, people with new vision
and ambitions. Those companies will stop producing what few want to buy
and, instead, focus their efforts on better opportunities. Restructuring
can lead to creating new wealth.
2.- MOVING HAS BECOME CHEAPER.
It used to be costly to move in order to take a new job, but things are
changing. The cost of housing has been reduced in many areas of the
world. If you want to move in order to pursue new opportunities, there
has never been a better time. Even if you decide to change cities only
for a while, you can now rent furnished apartments cheaply in many
areas. The cost of moving can hardly prevent anyone from pursuing his
dream.
3.- VIOLENCE IS DECREASING. Despite grim news in the
media, violence is decreasing around the world. There are still many
unresolved problems and dangerous places, but overall, the situation is
improving. The reason for this is purely practical: violence is bad for
business. Production and commerce get people together. Selling things to
each other goes a long a way towards preventing conflict.
4.-
MANY ASSETS WILL APPRECIATE. While some businesses and currencies are
losing value, other assets are appreciating. Instability creates
opportunity. Although it might be uncomfortable and risky, remember that
only dead matter is stable. Human beings thrive in change. Look for
currencies and assets that are appreciating, invest your savings wisely,
and you will be rewarded. Life flows in the direction of opportunity.
5.-
TOLERANCE AND GOODWILL ARE INCREASING. There are many different
opinions around the world. Some are foolish and unrealistic, but they
hardly justify heated debates. Live and let live, people say. Tolerance
is carrying the day amongst thinking individuals. As people travel and
see the world, tolerance and goodwill increase.
6.- FLEXIBILITY
ALLOWS NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. If your industry faces a shrinking
market, it is painful to lose your job, but try to look at it from a
different perspective. Economic changes shift resources from low-profit
to high-opportunity areas. The speed of that process shows the health of
an economy. There can be no progress without change. Be flexible and
use your creativity to adapt to the new situation.
7.- EDUCATION
COSTS ARE DECREASING. Inexpensive internet access and mp3 players have
cleared the way for low-cost transmission of knowledge in all fields.
Lectures that were accessible only in universities, can now be
downloaded for free or for little money. For those who wish to learn,
opportunity is continuously expanding.
8.- YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM ENORMOUS
BARGAINS. For a short while, we are living in an environment of
decreasing prices and this is something that we all can profit from.
Things that used to be hardly affordable have become cheaper for
millions of people around the world.
9.- IMMIGRATION CONTINUES TO
CREATE JOBS. Frontiers are opening in many countries and millions of
people move every year in search of a better life. Immigration continues
to create opportunities for many. A promising future in a new
environment. Immigrants bring ambition, knowledge, and tolerance to
society. Immigration creates wealth for open economies and its positive
effect can be felt in many areas around the world.
10.- LOW-COST
COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY. With television cameras and
internet access everywhere, it has become increasingly difficult to be
evil. Problems are immediately reported and people take action to
improve things. When transparency increases, people become more ethical.
The short-cut for turning depression, stress, and anxiety into optimism
Do
not let daily news get you down. Instead, look at the world with
rational optimism. Some currencies are losing value and others are
appreciating, but opportunities are being created everywhere. Two
thousand years ago, Roman philosopher Epictetus said that a wise man
focuses his effort on things he can control. That's something that we
should keep in mind everyday.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com
Image by gbeschbacher under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us