Are you "participating" in the recession?

I was invited to speak at a function the other night where many small businesses owners were gathtered to network and find business opportunities. I decided that I will share some personal experience on how to change your beliefs and work on your perception of reality.

Approximately 3 years ago I found myself in a situation where I had to ask really difficult questions to myself. I've gone through a divorce at the time and relationships have been a challenge for me over a number of years. Only after my divorce I realised that I had been engaging with relationships from fear, approval-seeking base, which is totally wrong. You have to engage with relationships with self confidence, with love and trust. You only then build your relationships on a strong foundation.

Stef du Plessis - a leadership coach - facilitated a Breakfast workshop at the Institute of Directors where he spoke about his Masiwa's journey and how he discovered that his beliefs system is impacting his behaviours. It dawned on me at the time that it is exactly what happened to me. So, I started with a journey to change those beliefs and subsequently I managed to change my behaviours and hence I am happily married today.

What I really want to share with you is that in times like this, we have to check our beliefs and understand our behavioural response to our reality. The economy is in a down-turn, sure, but we should not interact with the economy from fear. We have to maintain our passion, our focus and self confidence because there are still customers and there are still organisations who have needs. If your product or service should be changed to address those needs, then you know what to do. Get going and make the changes.

Entrepreneurs are making money in the midst of economic recession because they are geared for survival. Do not fear when one, two or even three customers cancel your order or put your project on hold, get another customer...

Go out and keep on selling... and believe that you can make a difference.