People have been saying this for a couple of months and I was at a business holiday party this week where this was the theme. Some people say it’s silly, but is it really? So what does it actually mean?

Sure we recognize that The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) has confirmed that the nation has been in a recession since December 2007.

But here’s the heart of the message.

I Refuse to Let Fear and the Macro-Economy Control My Destiny.

The weakened economy, poor consumer confidence, the uncertainty of the stock market and the lack of available financing will not affect my ability or desire to provide a tremendous value to my clients. It will not influence my Vision or diminish the vital role I play in the businesses and lives of my clients.

The reasons I refuse to participate in the recession are simple: First, I choose to take immediate and consistent action steps that are aligned with my goals and my Vision! The recession has no power over any of these things. Second, I provide an important service that meets a basic need of mankind – guidance and coaching services that help people and organizations create hope, change direction, and prosper when times are good as well as when times are tough.  (I am happy to provide you the names of numerous clients who are stronger and more successful now than ever before!)

So let me ask you two questions:

1) “Are you ready for a new direction and/or improved results?”

2) “Do you also provide a valuable service or product that helps others in the community or around the world?”

If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, then we share a common bond and I am eager to give you these timely instructions:

– Now is the time to plan for 2009 and the future

– Now is the time for creative and inspirational thinking

– Now is the time to expand and find new opportunities

– Now is the time for renewed hope in yourself and your family, community and country

– Now is the time to focus (on your success)

– Now is the time to increase knowledge and skills

– Now is the time to be responsible for your actions

– Now is the time to market and advertise

– Now is the time to give to others

– Now is the time to have fun (and smile more)

– Now is the time to invest in yourself and in your business (or non-profit)

– Now is the time to put fear behind you

– Now is the time for Positive Attitude and Purposeful Action!

You cannot simply wait for answers to come – or for a bailout to rescue you (especially if you’re not a car manufacturer or a bank). If you want results tomorrow and in 2009, you need to follow these instructions and act now!  The first step is always the hardest because it requires a humble gesture of faith. It requires that you pick up your phone and call (or send an email to) a mentor or advisor or a coach – and ask for help and guidance.

I guarantee you that there is no better time to act and start an incredible process of abundance, redemption and renewed hope with Driving IR. Only through hope, can we believe; and only through belief, can we take enthused action!  Truly inspired planning and action inevitably and ultimately always leads to confidence and improved results.

If you now refuse to participate in fear (the recession), and instead choose to follow a path of progression, then you need to take some immediate action and call us right away! Here are two things you can do with us to shape your own destiny, Strategic Business Planning and Magnified Marketing. As always we can provide custom solutions as well.

Business Planning Is Strategic and Proactive

If you’re not doing it, you’re falling prey to the whims of your customers, your vendors and the economy. There are plenty of people and businesses doing well because they’ve taken their futures into their own hands and are steering their own courses through turbulent times being nimble to adjust as obstacles appear. If you’re not, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

Having clearly defined vision, values, mission, goals and action steps is important. What’s your path and your end game? What will you accomplish this year? Create a new product or service? Do more internet marketing? Target a new niche? Open a new branch? Get x number of new clients? Cut your overhead costs by y%? A lot of thought goes into a good business plan. This yields several goals that are to be accomplished each month of the year in order to achieve your overall desired results. The goals are consistent with a “necessary and sufficient’ filter. They must be ‘necessary’ because you don’t need distractions wasting your resources (time and money). They must be ‘sufficient’ to do the job. Make sure you have goals in all the critical goal categories. Most businesses will need to focus on 1) Marketing, 2) Sales, 3) Product or service fulfillment, 4) Training and development, 5) Business administration. You may have additional goal categories depending on your industry or market.

Do you have a well thought out plan to accomplish what you want? No excuses. Don’t blame anybody but yourself if the company you’re leading isn’t getting ahead. You’ve got to adjust with the times, roll with the punches and dance with your challenges. Where are the new opportunities? Who is buying? Adjust and modify yourself, your target, how you perform your service or fulfill your product, get leaner. Even if you have a plan, has someone else looked at it? I’m facilitating more business plans this year than in prior years  because really progressive people realize it’s the way to leapfrog forward and eat everyone else’s lunch. I offer two different ways to help owners with business plans and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Call me if you want to be an eater and not be the lunch.