I refuse to let anyone get me down when it comes to talking about the economy! Is that you, too? When you run a small business, the first thing on your mind is “get something done” and the second is “be optimistic about it.” To help keep my spirits high, I’ve developed eight ways to keep gloom and doom at bay and focus on a booming global economy. I think they'll help you, too!
1. Drink a glass of orange juice at the start of every day.
Why? Because it tastes excellent and gets the morning off to a good start! Further, the vitamin C found in this beverage boasts a plethora of health benefits. It’s one of our planet’s most powerful antioxidants known to fight off free radicals that can lead to cancer or heart disease. Vitamin C also helps the body fight infection like colds and flu and is essential for tissue repair as well as wound and bone healing. Small business owners need this protection to fight their everyday battles.
2. Spend a few minutes outdoors every day.
Come intense heat, frigid cold, pouring rain or tons of snow, I get out there to experience the day. It can be anything from a brisk walk or quick bike ride to skating around a rink or a fun game of tennis. The point is to take yourself away from your hectic business environment so you can clear your mind, improve your concentration and think more clearly. Further, fresh air provides a steady supply of oxygen to your brain and cells. Feeding your brain and body with what it craves can only lead to a healthy body and mind.
3. Get good exercise.
Every morning I start the day with that slug of OJ mentioned earlier, a slice of 100 percent whole wheat toast with a spattering of pure peanut butter, and a run by the lake. Unless I am traveling, I rarely skip this ritual. It helps clear my head of clutter, focus on the stuff that matters and come up with a plan to take care of specific things. Not to mention how refreshed and energized I feel afterward!
4. Eat well.
We all know that what we put into our bodies influences how we look, think and act. Cut out the junk, eat healthy and you will make better business decisions. Enough said.
5. Tape the following saying on your mirror.
Write these words on an 8x10 piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror: “Let’s make the most of this beautiful day!” Taken directly from Mister Rogers’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” song that was sung every episode on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Humor and a childlike view of the world — also known as boundless curiosity — help us accomplish great things in life.
6. Read everything you can.
Every week I go to a Borders bookstore and scan all the periodicals to see what’s new and relevant in my field of work and outside of it. I look at all the best-selling books to see where trends are going and then head over to the children’s section for creative ideas that I can apply to growing my business.
7. Choose wisely.
You can choose to read pessimistic news about business statistics or you can choose to focus on something that keeps you inspired and energized. A lot of my inspiration comes from all of you at this forum! The choice is yours —don't make it lightly.
8. Have fun!
If running your business isn’t fun or exhilarating, you must be doing something wrong! Figure out how to introduce fun into your company and nourish it as best you can. Try “How to Keep a Small Business Fun” over at eHow.com.
Global business expert Laurel Delaney is the founder of GlobeTrade.com (a Global TradeSource, Ltd. company). She also is the creator of “Borderbuster,” an e-newsletter, and The Global Small Business Blog, all highly regarded for their global small business coverage. You can reach Delaney at ldelaney@globetrade.com or follow her on Twitter @LaurelDelaney. 