Putting a positive perspective on what is going on around us.

Over the last couple of years, as consumers and business people we have had more than our fair share of bad news. However, has it really all been that bad, or is it more in the interests of those who report it to propagate and nurture it, because as we all know “bad news sells”. In reality is there more good news out there that we are “allowed” to see, and is there something we can do about it.

I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had with people saying that actually in their world things are at worst O.K., and in many cases quite good, but they would be a whole lot better if the media stopped painting such a gloomy picture.

Up until now, I too have seen things in a far more positive light than we are led to believe, and have also been frustrated by what I see as deliberate and consistent sabotage of anything good or positive. How often does the BBC report something positive and then invariably puts the word BUT after it? They then go on to speculate that it is probably just a blip and everything will soon get worse again. I for one have had enough, and I now believe that there is something I can do about it.

The old cliché that every journey begins with one small step is inevitably true again in this instance. To change a country’s or world’s belief must surely be impossible, but if someone starts to do something, perhaps it can happen.

So I have decided to start a “Good News” podcast on a weekly basis initially gathering as many good news, positive stories as I can on a global, local and even personal front, and then see what happens. The news may be financial, or otherwise, but in every case it will be designed to make people feel positive, and drive more feel good from it. Positive things and positive thoughts attract more positive things and more positive thoughts. Ultimately it should create a snowball effect, causing people to believe that things are getting better, and if that is what they believe, that will become reality. People will start to spend money again, the circulation will start to pick up again, and the world, which has apparently been staring at death’s door, will in fact survive, revive and then thrive once more.

So I’m going to start with a few world feel good stories, follow them up with some local ones, and then offer one or two of my own personal positives.

I am hoping that as people get to hear of this that they will start to spread the good news, and indeed supply me with lots of their own positive stories (again, national, local or personal).

I’m not quite sure how it will work, but I’m willing to give it a go, and let’s see what happens!!

Back to my favourite topic this week, that being sport, and I’d like to pick up on an interesting aspect, and I believe an entirely relevant aspect to business, concerning the behaviour of the England Rugby Team.

For those of you who have even a passing interest in this, you will be aware that England managed to achieve a fairly uninspiring victory over the Scots last Saturday, largely because our hosts seemed to be determined not to score a try against us (very polite of them). England were generally on the defence, repelling wave after wave of Scottish attacks, but miraculously not conceding penalties, which would of course have ensured victory for Scotland.

Over the past few seasons we have been used to England conceding a host of penalties, and indeed on many occasions having players sent off, and consequently we have lost more matches than we probably should have. But, most importantly, what has caused this significant transformation? The answer I believe, lies in the new culture of discipline that the new coach has brought in. He has apparently recognised that inappropriate, and indeed unruly (even illegal) behaviour off the pitch, left unpunished or ignored, has led to indiscipline on the pitch. You only have to log all the bad behaviour that has gone on both before and during the recent world cup, to see that there is a clear connection between the two. The new coach has stamped on any behaviour he feels to be inappropriate straight away, telling the perpetrators that he will not be picking them to play for England until they change their ways.

So for those of you who wish to change the way your team behave, especially one or two stirrers/trouble makers, be tough, be fair and act quickly. Set the boundaries and you will soon see a difference.

When I wake up in the morning I’m not always feeling bright and breezy. In fact I have never been a particularly deep sleeper, so I often have quite restless nights, and consequently wake up feeling quite tired still. However, instead of being grumpy, I make a choice and conscious effort to be positive and as happy as I can be. No doubt it would be a lot easier to let the depressing thoughts take over, and be down all day, but right now perhaps more than ever, it is so important to keep as upbeat as you possibly can be.

Focus on even the smallest things to help you feel better. We have just got a little bearded collie puppy called “Alfie”, and when I first come down in the morning the welcome I get can’t help but make me feel good (even if there are several unwelcome packages to clear up!).

Of course as a coach and a leader I can’t afford to be down for long, as this would hardly be seen as inspirational. If I turn up to my clients and moan about things, and how awful the economy is., I’m not going to be able to motivate them to feel positive and take the actions they need to do to move their businesses forward.

On that note it is also so much easier not to do things (take action) than to do things. Maintain the status quo for the sake of an easy life, but ultimately leading to abject failure. I’m not just talking about business either. It is so much easier not to go to a film in the evening, or not wash the car, or not do any number of things that will improve your life, but if you genuinely want to change things and make things better, surely despite the extra work and effort it may take, it is worthwhile doing them.

Times aren’t easy at the moment, but keep being as positive as you can be, take joy from the smallest of successes or good things in your life, do the things you least want to do, and I have no doubt that things will soon seem a lot better. After all spring is only a few weeks away!!