A recession, a slowdown, tough times - whatever you want to call it, things are not as bad as they sound. Consider the following:

• More than 9 out of every 10 people are still working.
• In the US alone, over 300 million people are still spending money on things they need and value.
• I ate out 3 nights in a row this week. Two restaurants were empty, one was packed. (Which do you suppose is focused on value and marketing?)
• The death knell for print media is repudiated by "The Week," which "continues to grow at a healthy clip" according to Executive Editor Eric Effron.
• With "frozen credit" echoing from sea to shining sea, the Easthampton Savings Bank issued a glossy 8.5 x 11 ad proclaiming "We have money."
• Reuters declares "Yoga thriving in downturn" and it's not the only. Many small, alert businesses are doing fine.
• The RTC newsletter posts great job openings every week, many of which have remained unfilled for some time.
  

What is perception and what is reality? Repeated bad news, laid-off acquaintances, and shuttered businesses worm their way under our skin and erode our sense of security. This is why yoga, alcohol, and McDonald's are doing well.

Unfortunately, our fear is exacerbating the situation. As we tighten our belts, the flow of money is stanched further. The slower the flow, the poorer we all become. Prosperity is money in motion.

You can help yourself and the economy. Spend to build your capabilities. Spend to position yourself for strong growth as we emerge from the economic turmoil. Spend to take advantage of the opportunities before you right now. Don't spend for the sake of spending, but spend where it will make a difference to your future.

 © 2009 Ann Latham. All rights reserved.