Business I career coach The Art Of Staying Positive S omeone once told me when things are bad, it never looks like they will be good; and when things are good, you never think it will be difficult. These are tough times. With the looming threat of recession, many of you might be finding it extremely difficult to be optimis- tic about your own futures. Don't let the negative get you down. Don't whine. Don't com- plain. It won't result in anything good. The keys to being positive are survival, focus and persis- tence. My son, Michael, who is in residential real estate, embodies a positive attitude. Robert Sher He used to say it was Columnist easy to sell a moder- ately priced house. No one, not even Mike, would say that today. But, somehow, Mike remains optimistic and he sold six houses in January. How does Mike stay upbeat in banks to avoid foreclosure. the face of adversity? Mike portrays confidence. When you are "I always believe the sun is going to rise negative, you simply do not portray con- the next day. Excuses are the barriers we fidence to anyone. What message are you create to accept our failures. It is harder sending if you complain constantly to your today than it used to be to sell a house but spouse, friends or colleagues? still possible. People still have to buy and The old adage is true: Whether you think sell their homes and that is you can or can't, you are not changing:' right, so you might as The keys to being well Mike also networks take the high road a lot. Once a week, he and find a way to move positive are participates in a business forward. It is bad out roundtable where he keeps survival, focus and there, and I know the up with business trends economy has been slow and gets acquainted with to recover, but this is no persistence. people in all types of busi- time to feel sorry for nesses. You never know yourself. Instead, reces- when one of them might need to sell a sion-proof your finances and seek advice house. from a financial planner if you need help Mike keeps up with trends and is always with it. looking for news to stay ahead of the com- Hate your job? Update your resume and petition in the saturated market place. Now send it out. he is moving into a new area — short sales Feeling blue? Get counseling. Also, let's — in which he is helping sellers who are not underestimate the power of exercise. In about to lose their homes negotiate with addition to being good for you physically, it will make you feel better emotionally. Do what you can to think positive thoughts and keep those thoughts. Some things, like corporate downsizing, restructuring, layoffs and buyouts, are out of your control, but your attitude is yours to keep — and you should do what you can to keep it upbeat. Optimism is essential for survival and, ultimately, for success. It is achievable and is the perfect antidote to feelings of failure, insecurity, fear, defeatism and lethargy. Now take some advice from author William Arthur Ward, who said, "The pes- simist complains about the wind; the opti- mist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." ❑ Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive coach. Formerly CFO and partner for Livonia-based Schostak Brothers & Co., he now serves on the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees and is treasurer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Foundation. His e- mail address is: info@bobshercom. DO YOU HAVE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL TAX PROBLEMS? Levy & Associates can help! We stop and resolve the situation before going to court, and lawyers are needed. 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