We are living in challenging times. If you are not feeling the economic pinch, you at least know others who are.
Some blame the politicians, both Republicans and Democrats.
Others blame the legal system.
And many wag their finger at corporations who have failed to serve the customer in lieu of their own desire to become wealthy.
Regardless, the end result is that unemployment is up and more people are having a difficult time making ends meet.
And yes, many in the Internet business are feeling it as well. It's impossible to be unaffected by a bad economy.
I won't name any names, but I know many Internet marketers who are struggling with their businesses right now.
Heck, even I've had my fair share of challenges the past couple years. Most businesses can't continue operating the same way they did during an economic boom. When people spend less money, there is less to go around for a staff and other expenses.
But change isn't a bad thing. Spring turns to Summer; Summer to Fall; Fall to Winter; and back to Spring again. There is a season for everything and change is inevitable.
The real question is how do you handle change?
And what do you do when times are tough?
There are really only two ways to deal with adversity. You either allow yourself to be positioned as a victim or you rise above the challenges to fight for what you want and believe in.
Those with a victim mentality gripe, whine and complain about their circumstances. They have a strong opinion about why things are so tough and insist on pointing blame at the so-and-so's responsible for the mess. They stay safe inside their finger-pointing cocoon. After all, if they are a victim of someone else's mistakes then they can keep complaining while not doing anything to help themselves.
But the person willing to go against the flow and swim upstream is the one likely to survive. There are a few reasons for this, most of which are quite obvious. I think it is important to note because I believe adversity creates opportunity!
When the economy takes a turn for the worse people tend to tighten their belts. They cut back on discretionary spending and take far fewer risks.
Business owners cut back on their advertising and marketing budgets. They are setting themselves up to be cannibalized by their competitors who know their fear.
There is just less competition during a financial crunch. Entrepreneurs have the vision to see decreased competition as an opportunity to increase their efforts and not back away from them.
Is there risk? Of course! But you wouldn't be an entrepreneur in the first place if you weren't willing to take risks.
There have been two times in my Internet business that things looked very bleak. But I knew in my gut that circumstances would improve. I was willing to tough it out and continue pouring into my business awaiting the moment when the tide would turn.
And turn it did.
Both times my persistence and belief helped position me to ride the next wave when it came my way. Had I been more conservative with my efforts during those times I likely would have missed opportunity when it presented itself. I simply would not have been equipped to handle it.
It goes back to the old saying, "No guts, no glory."
You have to take big risks to have a chance at reaping big rewards.
There's nothing wrong with revisiting your business model, reevaluating your expenses and making some tough choices when times are tough. But that doesn't mean you pack up your bag and go home. It means you examine your core business and attempt to discern what your customers' greatest needs are. Then you focus and increase your efforts to meet those needs.
People have problems. You have solutions.
They have questions. You have answers.
I would encourage you to take a good, long look at your business.
Are you doing what you set out to do?
Are you distracted by projects that aren't part of your core business?
Are you receiving true value from your employees and contractors?
Are your customers asking for solutions that you can provide?
Are you willing to go against the flow and seek to prosper in spite of a sour economy?
If you are a true believer in your business, you already have what it takes to succeed.
Turn off the television news. They are only there to sell fear. You have no need for them.
Stop reading the papers with their "doom and gloom" headlines. The Internet has changed the face of reporting news.
Don't be influenced by the negativity that is so prevalent. Instead focus on the task at hand and give it all you've got.
Others may take on the role of Chicken Little and attempt to alert you that the sky is falling.
It isn't. And it's likely not going to.
Want to know who you have to thank for that?
Hard-working people who persist in their work and fight to succeed.
Are you among that number?
This is your time. Now is your opportunity. Carpe diem, my friends. Carpe diem.
What are your thoughts?
Henry Ford said it best "Problems are just opportunities in work clothes".
My take is if noone is bleeding or dying, then there is always a solution. The one you find or find you need to implement may not be your first choice, but the trick is to keep moving forward.
I like to use the acronym SEE - Seek your path; then Execute or Exit.
Another great post Joel, thanks.
Hi Joel,
Absolutely bang-on. I see it all around me...lethargy, unwillingness to do anything, waiting for opportunities to be handed on a plate...and blame the government or the boss or whoever for your situation. What ever happened to personal responsibility and getting off your butt?
Cheers,
John.
I agree with what you say wholeheartedly Joel with one exception. I do not personally believe that things will get better in the sense that we might hope it would. Why?
In all honesty I believe that the U.S. is under the judgment of God. It needs to be humbled and brought low and motivated through it's bad circumstances to turn back to God, assuming it ever does.
I could say a lot more about this but my point is that I do not believe that things will get better as part of some cycle. Not this time.
I personally believe that the U.S. dollar will, at some point in the not too distant future, collapse. Collapse in the sense that it will cease to function effectively as a viable form of collateral as it will become so valueless. Where nations will stop buying T-Bills and will turn their back entirely on the use of the U.S. dollar as the international reserve currency of choice. Leaving the U.S. with more and more debt that it can no longer continue to finance. Economic collapse under a mountain of debt will be our ultimate undoing.
This is not to say that your advice on hanging tough during difficult times is not warranted or valuable Joel. Not at all. Only that we must temper that with a bit of realism as to the true condition that the U.S. is sinking into.
Personally I hope to be gone and living in South America before any economic collapse happens in the U.S. An internet based business is uniquely valuable in being able to work from anywhere in the world assuming one can appeal to a broad spectrum of English speaking consumers in various countries.
Just my two cents worth.
Carlos
Great blog Joel!
Too many people are still operating from the fear of loss instead of moving forward to what does lie ahead.
This applies to both business and personal dealings.
The old way is gone, what most people haven't done, is create their new world! Where DO you want to be tomorrow? What DO you want to CREATE in your business life? in your personal life?
blon www.tassiesue.com
Joel, I was not going to leave a response to this post, but I just had to. When things get tough I have had to look to change business modules that seem to be lacking and adopt another approach. This has worked well for me so far and I am happy with the results.
I have also adopted an approach which I call " what would my role model do" I always ask myself this question and this approach always comes up with many fantastic solutions. You are one of my role models that have inspired me so much and enabled me to earn an income online. I have to say throughout my dealings with you, you have always overdelivered on your words and I will always respect you for that. By the way Joel you have not added me on facebook. I think my smile was not visible enough ha ha.
Keep up the good work Joel. Thanks for being Joel Comm
Loved when you said don't listen to the news. What goes in must come out. If you feed yourself negitive you will reap negitive. Surround yourself with possitive people, successful people.
I keep a positive attitude, make the best with what you have. See the oppertunity that might be inside the so called problem. The word quit is not an option. Think, speak and see the possitive. Close your eyes and see the future, see the vision you have for your business and don't let go.
Keep seeing it and it will come.
I agree that many people fall into the victim mentality, I think we have been conditioned to behave that way. (I don't mean there is some grand conspiracy to keep the masses down, I think much of it is just traditional, going back to "knowing your place" in society.) I think our so-called educational system was designed to create worker drones, at least in my experience of it, thinking for yourself was discouraged, and peer pressure was there to make sure you were not different than everyone else.
Being an entrepreneur requires thinking for yourself, and being different. It is downright terrifying sometimes, especially when you are trying to build a business when everyone else is scaling back.
It is the people who persist in building their own businesses that get the economy moving again, not the government, and not the banking system or the big corporations, but the entrepreneurs who have the courage (and resources)to persist.
And I think it is very important to disconnect from the news, I think it is impossible to keep any kind of positive thought if you buy the doom and gloom being pushed at us constantly.
There is no problem that cannot be unraveled by asking the right questions. The challenge is ONLY to come up with the best questions - for your situation. You have mentioned several and they open the door to further insight and options. Even better is to have a set of 'master keys' - the core questions that spawn those that can "unlock success" for you or your business. So the what are the best questions (like that one for instance)....? (Hint: it isn't "What.."..)
Great thoughts, as the late Jim Rohn spoke about you have to change the set of your sail when the "seas" get rough. Complaining about rough seas won't help you navigate anywhere. Most people will choose to stay in the safe harbours but a few risk takers will venture out knowing there will be less boats in their way.
Excellent post - for savvy entrepreneurs these are the best times as they can position in such a way that they will be poised to cash in when the economic situation improves.
Always be receptive to new opportunities - Richard Branson said something to the effect that business opportunities are like busses, if you miss one there'll be another one coming soon.
Great advice, as always, Joel. Hiding in a corner crying how horrible things are never helped solve a thing. Action is the only resource you can count on and wow! It's free!
Thanks for a great post.
- Pat
Joel, Great post.
The late Orson Welles said it this way:
You are doomed (I say destined) to play the hero in your own life story!
Inspiring blog post, thank you. Good to be reminded every day that what we think, do and say does matter. Norman Vincent Peale used to say that the only people without problems lived in the cemetary. The ripple effects of what each one of us think, do, and say today will determine what tomorrow looks like. Ditto your sentiment: carpe diem!
In the immortal words of David Lee Roth, which just happened to be playing as I was reading this.
"Stand up, Stand up, the more you do it, the less you fall down"
"Put your head in the clouds, and your feet on the ground"
Keep a road map of where you want to go and check periodically to make sure you are still on the right path.
Cheers,
Shane
Joel, I was not going to leave a response to this post, but I just had to. When things get tough I have had to look to change business modules that seem to be lacking and adopt another approach. This has worked well for me so far and I am happy with the results.
I have also adopted an approach which I call " what would my role model do" I always ask myself this question and this approach always comes up with many fantastic solutions. You are one of my role models that have inspired me so much and enabled me to earn an income online. I have to say throughout my dealings with you, you have always overdelivered on your words and I will always respect you for that. By the way Joel you have not added me on facebook. I think my smile was not visible enough ha ha.
Keep up the good work Joel. Thanks for being Joel Comm
Joel,
I believe one of the best ways to face adversity is to see God as our Source. When we look to our business, customers or money as our source, then we are not truly trusting in the One Who is our Provider.
When we step out in faith to try something new, just know God is with us and has the answers to our problems. We also need to see our business as God's business and we are His stewards. When we do, watch God bless it.
Joel,
Great message!
It is a very trying time for most out there right now. But it is extremely important to keep yourself focused on providing value to others.
The success principles still work regardless of the economy, you just have to look a little harder for ways to provide service that others are willing to pay for.
And this is very hard to do when you get into survival mode. But it is the only way out of hard economic times.
As Always, Here's to Your LifetoSuccess,
John Clark
http://www.lifetosuccess.com
Its amazing Joel wrote of this subject this morning. I had to be straight out with some friends this weekend because their negativeness has come to the end with me. I let them know if they don't start thinking more positive its going to be difficult to continue to hang with them because I found they started getting to me and I started feeling sad. I told them it was very important that I place myself around people who believe in me and my business and I would be a fool to accept anything less they could quickly destroy my dreams by their negativity. Ten years ago when I thought I would not be able to find a location for my cafe because there was a Starbucks on every corner I told a friend I guess I have to give up because I was running out of money and time. He said NO! Don't give up I believe in you I know you can do it better then anyone. Well I listened to my friend and I found my location four days later and had the most successful cafe in town for many years and made bank! Positive people change your world with just a thought. I realized this weekend how important it is to place yourself among people who are very positive.
Hi joel!
Great blog you have:=)
I like one of your sentences very much:
"This is your time. Now is your opportunity. Carpe diem, my friends. Carpe diem".
Thanks
Vigdis
Joel,
That was an excellent post. I came to your site hoping to somehow be your friend after reading Twitter Power. After being in the business craper for the last year it was quite nice to read that blog entry which was a pleasant suprise to what i was expecting to see. Im going to put on some Rocky music, stop telling you how great your blog is, and get my businss rolling again.
Pick Me, Pick Me
I want to be the 10th Post Reply, after all it's 2010.
Excellent Post Joel. I am an entrepreneur in my own right.
Even though I have made very little money.(I'm changing that this year).
Let me explain a little. I've been online for years. With intentions of making it big. I bought every product and package that that came over the net. That's right I even bought a lot of your products Joel. And all of these products, in there own right, if followed can and would be profitable. You see I'm the guy (that in the past), would buy this product and that product. And without following threw with them, I'm off to buy the next one. Chasing the Shiny Ball....Quite Frankly.. There is NO product you buy, that from there on out you make money! Guess what, it takes work. And I've used a lot of excuses It's to technical, I don't know how to build a web site., I don't have a list. On and on. (whinner).
Action doers make the world go around. You find you have problem, pay someone to teach you. (hint) If you find a stumbling block, learn how to over come it. There are plenty of eager customers wanting to learn it also.
In a nut shell, Quit trying to learn how to make money! Thats is putting the cart in front of the horse. Learn how to solve problems, or help others to achieve their goals. (Another hint), Give your best secrets away free. Don't charge people, just to know your name! Then they become loyal.
Ok this is what I'm doing this year, that is different from the past. I'm taking John Thornhill's Master Marketing Class. And it's not cheap. It costs 1500.00.(bye the bye, I've had a computer and been online longer than him) Anyway I can tell you that it is a very very fair price.You cannot buy internet marketing skills in a bag! You break the 1500 down, I'm only paying pennies.Internet marketing is a profession if learned right it lasts a live time. Unlike a lot of schools or trades, you generally work for someone else after. In IM you work for your customer.
In example, medical or dental assistant, automotive or motorcycle repair
Cooking school, the last time I checked on a cooking school the tuition
was in excess of 30,000.And then you get a "job" as a Chef.
People, this economy will take a turn for the better, when we all realize that "we" are responsible, to help ourselfs. I was a small child, but I remember our President, John F. Kennedy. In one of his speeches ask not what my country can do for me, ask what can I do for my country!
And with that said, I cannot go without commenting on your reply "Carlos" with your attitude, that this economy is a USA problem. I wish you would go back home!.... If in fact the American dollar does collapse. Do you really think you will be immune down in South America? Don't kid yourself.. This problem is world wide. If we USA, falls I would bet you wont even be able to afford electricity, little alone use your laptop.It would be my guess you'd be in a food line, brought to you via "broke", USA. Something is telling me that you forgot, why you left and came here in the first place.
Thank You for letting me post on your Blog Joel, Howard Piesik
Great post joel! Just what i needed to hear today,
Ive been hit pretty hard with the recession. Out of work almost a year now. I was working for a sign company(but ive always been lookin to better myself). Ive recently read Adsense secrets 4 etc and bought Adsense Premier and its something i can relate to, it has changed my career direction. Im now signed up for a course on 4 subjects to study Dreamweaver /html /photoshop and publisher so i can set up a website of my own.
Think ive got like €0.30 cents in my adsense account lol
Anyway my Point is im hoping to better myself and your work has opened my eyes to new possibilities. Hope to buy more of your ebooks when i can, in the future!
As you said "This is your time. Now is your opportunity. Carpe diem, my friends. Carpe diem."
Its my time,
Colin
Didn't read the article, but I might later on tonight. Just by coincidence though, I stumbled upon Carlos response and I think that he has clear vision. The advice I have for Carlos is that next time when he refers to "GOD", he should be more clear as to "what" it is that he is referring to.
Regarding my post.
I truly apologize if in fact I offended anyone for their choice of business or trade. I'm very thankful that there are people, that take medical and dental, automotive marine biology etc, and yes cooking schools. Any and all fields and trades are needed, and truly valued!
I cannot fix my own motor Bike, or a meal prepared by a professional chef.
Like they can..... Every job is, of it's own importance. Including the person behind the counter of your local fast food establishment.
I truly thank everyone, that earns and spends money.
Howard Piesik
Hi Joel,
First time leaving a comment but I just wanted to tell my story so people can understand what you're trying to tell them.
I used to be a real investor. All my homes are in foreclosure. I declared bankruptcy and was unexpectedly laid off on the same day almost a year ago.
When I saw what was happening with real estate I thought, put up a website and make money. Big learning curve there but when I lost my job I was excited because now I could spend my days working on my internet marketing. I still have walls to climb over but I have made almost $1,000 online and I know I can do better.
Friends and family want me to get a job! Why? This is what I want to do and I believe in myself. What bad economy? I will succeed!
Thanks for your insights and your help to us all.
As a writer and an aspiring motivational speaker, my dream is to motivate hundreads and thousands of people all over the world with my talent and experience and also to inspire them make the best of their lives, which was why I started blogging late 2009.
The first month was a great start for me considering the wonderful comments I received from readers, and the month after was slightly better as my google Adsense earning was really impressive for a starter like me. But after my Adsense account got disabled in January, it was like my dream has been crushed like a nut shell. I stopped blogging and also stopped participating online. The point is I stopped living my dreams which I once beleived in.
Adsense should be the least of my priorities as it wasn't my primary objective.
Now I think I am going to ignore every other thing that's antagonizing my dream and purpose. Thanks to you Joel. This is really a wake up call for me.
Hello Joel
A great post - as I was feeling the negative monster big time.
You know the little creature sits on your shoulder quiet as when the
times are positive. The same one who turns into a monster quickly, if you start to let it feed on the negative energy. The more energy you feed it, the bigger it gets, eventually its trying to drag you off with it, as the chain attached to you gets larger and stronger.
I am excited and believe this year will bring better opportunities for me and my clients.
Yes, life does throw some twists and turns - its how I choose to respond to them that matters.
Yes, I am repositioning, budgeting with my business. I am also expanding into study - heavens University plus extra Copywriting. Its good. I am way
out of my comfort zone.
I believe from chaos and fear, life changing and positive changes can be made. I am proof of that this year as my whole world has changed dynamics.
Thank you for this great post,'
Susan Connors
Australia
Joel,
I enjoyed your posts but I believe this is your best one. i was losing my job of 22 years so I looked up internet marketing on google. I came across some of your old youtube videos. I have never felt better about my future. I tweeted you back in October how you help change my life and Dan just answered one of my questions the other day. Just wanted to say thanks and when I make it big I owe you both dinner.
Thanks,
Tad Wolfe
i love reading these kind of posts... that helps keep my burning fire inside alive.
more people should have this kind of mindset so that the economy grows instead of shrink.
unfortunate though that majority are in the negative in this world of ours, and its even more hurtful if the negativity comes from the people we trust and love.
The economic conditions show that why it is important to learn Internet marketing and to create alternative sources of income as job security is a thing of the past.
Nice take Joel,
What you focus on becomes your reality. The economy will do this again after we recover from this one. It's how you see it. New problems need solving and people are still spending money. One suggestion for those in fear, TURN OFF THE TV. Fill your mind with free information about how to solve some of those problems and pass on the information. You can get paid for solving problems. With the money you save from the cable bill you can buy one of Joel's products and learn how to generate income online. Obama, God, or the Lottey will not save you. Folks need to wise up and get moving. Be American!!!
This county was founded by people in business for themselves. Start something!
Thanks Joel.
HI JOEL.
THANK YOU. JUST WHEN I HAVE BECOME SOO FED UP WITH MY WEBSITE THAT I JUST WANT TO QUIT ALL TOGETHER AND SAY "IT CANT BE DONE" OR "I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING", THEN COMES AN EMAIL FROM YOU TELLING ME NOT TO QUIT AND GIVING ME MORE SUGGESTIONS. I HAVE CHANGED MY WEB SITE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE AS FAR AS INCOME, SO NOW I HAVE TO MAKE MORE CHANGES. SO I AM NOT GOING TO QUIT. IM GOING TO THINK ABOUT CONTENT AND NOT LOOK AT HOW MUCH I CAN MAKE.
THANKS MAGGIE
Very Good Post, Joel.
Thank you for your wonderful advice..
Keeping in mind all that you have said, Would like to improve my website and keep it improving till it turns the best..
Thanks again
:}
Thank you Joel. I would like to comment on the question 'When Times are Tough, Which Way Do You Go?' While I was reading your post I recalled what the teacher of a Marketing course I attended explained a few years ago: most businesses cut the costs on their marketing budget, sometimes they don't even market anymore. The very first area they decide to put an hold on is probably where they should never cut costs and focus mainly otherwise they might be penalized twice; the first time because we are talking about an economic crisis and the second time because they started to market less which mean less exposure and less sales. In tough times, I would do everything in my power to assess, review and improve the marketing strategies I use.
hi
well this is the first type i took the time to read a post on joel comm's site and everything i read has just hit home. Now i am completely new to this i.e making money online and the first book i actually bought was adsense code recommended to me by my friend though im not a big fan of reading books through the computer, hurts my eyes but i checked on amazon to see if there was a hard format and thankfully there is but its not out til july which is a bit disappointing. Anyway thank joel for the emails, i enjoy reading them. little daily inspirations.
Joel, God bless you, and God bless America! Some things came to my attention this past week (that I won't mention here) that really upset me. Negativity feeds negativity and doesn't do anyone any good. Instead it puts people in a downward spiral.
People need to focus on situations as opportunities instead of problems. Our state of mind makes a big difference in the outcome. Always do what is right, and never stop believing in yourself! Good WILL win over evil! No one ever said it would be an easy ride. Where there is a will, there is always a way. None of us would be marketing anything on the internet if we had let all of the negative things convince us it was hopeless. Whether it's internet marketing or life, let's rally!
Accountability can sum up the word that can explain what people must do when times are tough. You cannot give in to ever having a victim mentality or you will cave in like the weak. Sorry to be so harsh but winners will always make it happen and accomplish their goals. The ones who will accept failure and blame another will always be the losers.
"Some blame the politicians, both Republicans and Democrats"
---------------------
A question for Joe and everyone else reading this comment...who did you vote for?
"If you vote and you elect dishonest incompetent people and they get into office and screw everything up well you're responsible for what they have
done, you caused the problem, you voted them in, you have no right to complain. I, who did not vote, am in no way responsible for what
these people have done and have every right to complain as loud as I want about the mess YOU created that I had nothing to do with"
-George Carlin
Too many people are suffering from their lost. As for me, my grandma died and I am always looking back. Instead on of looking forward, i always see about her. I grew up with her so it's hard to move forward.
Hi there,
Times are tough, you should not get rough with life!! Remember always
Thanks,
Jenelia