This is your time

Interest rates keep climbing. So is inflation. The S&P is officially in a bear market. This was an incredibly fast turnaround from last year. It happened so fast it almost doesn’t seem real. We knew a correction was coming. In many ways it was needed, but it would have been nice if it wasn’t so drastic.

Some of us also faced (or are still facing) some pretty devastating life changes. Illnesses and losing family and friends to Covid.

One thing’s for sure: Human nature is resilient. We see this in Ukraine. It’s all around us, even when we don’t see it. Perhaps the beauty of this life isn’t just what we’re blessed with, but how we react to the good and bad that we face. It helps define who we are. In work and in life, be mindful of the people around you. Smile and extend a helping hand. Be kind. Especially to yourself.

Another thing’s for sure: Good times will come back. That’s a big reason we’re so resilient. Those who take the time now to make needed changes to their personal and business habits will be the ones that come out on the other side better than before. Resilience doesn’t have to be about surviving the hard times. It can also be about becoming stronger and better than before.

Here are some suggestions that will brighten your outlook and your results

• Create and follow a morning routine that strengthens you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually
• Set goals. Write them down and hang them on your bathroom mirror and at your desk so you don’t forget.
• Clean up your contact database. Clean up your old files. Learn to use the technology that will help you work smarter now that you have the time to be patient with yourself and the technology.
• Reconnect with people. Spend some time with the people that you kept promising yourself you would when you had the time.
• Spend time to explore opportunities. Remember, you are really good at what you do. Allow your creativity and innovation to explore new ways of doing things better than before.
• Learn to be positive. No matter where you are or how bad things seem, the next best step is the one forward.

I’ve never been a big fan of cliché motivations and self-help remedies. Forgive me if that’s what this seems like. I sincerely hope that you and your family are well and that your outlook is hopeful. We will make it through this hard time. The only question is how, and a lot of that is up to you.