Business stuck in the bog? Seems to spinning its wheels, the occasional hard revving is followed by no movement forward? Then it may be time to change something and maybe that something is you!

Ask yourself do you agree or disagree with the following questions:

1. I have control over the things that happen to me and my business.
2. There are lots I can do to solve some of the problems I have.
3. There is a lot I can do to change many of the important things in my life.
4. I often feel helpless in dealing with the problems of life.
5. I like to think about things.
6. Sometimes I feel that I am being pushed around by competitors and the economy.
7. What happens to me in the future mostly depends on me.
8. I can do just about anything I really set my mind to do.
9. I still expect much from my business.
10. I exercise and take time out each week for me, my friends and family
11. I do not look forward to what lies ahead for me in the years to come.
12. I am still full of plans.
13. I often feel that my business life is full of promises.
14. I am glad the quiz did not end at 13 as that would discourage me in taking the quiz.

Now to score the answers (agree or disagree). To see what it means for you and your business you will need to contact me directly and there is significant rationale lying behind this requirement. You can do this by email or by phone. Mondays are best.

The Psychological research is in; the key to progress is a mental approach with deep roots in optimism. The optimistic business people make fast progress against formidable odds.

What we are talking about is not the odd motivated, sunny emotional day but a profound approach to all of life’s problems.

Look for yourself at those who are achieving business success and find a pessimist amongst them.

Still in doubt? Well have a look at the hard data published this week by Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Positive Psychology. He concentrates on such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions.

Dr Seligman’s research at the University Of Pennsylvania is based on empirical peer reviewed psychological studies from which the following hypotheses can be posed (thoughts added by me are not, therefore they are italicized for easy dismissal)

Optimists take actions and are more successful than others. Pessimists think a lot, go to seminars to secure the missing bit of knowledge they are sure will make all the difference, eat junk food, don’t exercise, and help the health and fitness industry become rich by joining gyms and then never attending. Pessimists are an empty vessel into which failure decants. 

Optimists believe that their actions matter, whereas pessimists believe they are helpless and nothing they do will matter. Pessimists want the answer to the above quiz now and will not take the requested action to secure it. They just know they are about to be scammed. Optimists try, while pessimists lapse into passive helplessness. Optimists therefore act on good advice readily and will take risks to get what they want.

Optimists may take better care of themselves.

Even more generally, people with high life satisfaction (which correlates highly with optimism) are much more likely to diet, not to smoke, and to exercise regularly than people with lower life satisfaction.

Optimists take action to avoid bad events, whereas pessimists are passive and accepting.

Optimists have more friends and a richer social and business life. The more friends and the more love in your life, the less illness. Happy people have richer social and business networks than unhappy people, and social connectedness contributes to a lack of disability as we age. Misery may love company, but company does not love misery, and the ensuing loneliness of pessimists may be a path to illness.

So by now if you are a pessimist with a business you will have stopped reading somewhere above, if not then maybe you have a chance. The good news it is relatively easy and inexpensive to become optimistic and if you take the requested action I am willing to assist you in transitioning from pessimist to optimist. Although for most, pessimism has just kicked in again and you will do nothing. That’s the vicious circle you are trapped in.

I love Burl Ives, we have much in common (beard -check, folk singer – check, rotund- check, kind exterior with fiery heart- check) so I offer you this little ditty as a place to start .It is sound and invaluable small business advice. Put this song into your toolbox, I call it “The Business Coaching Song – Small Fish way.”

Hear from you soon.

Seamus O’Brien
Small Fish Business Coaching Illawarra
0414 241 010