Accepting the Recession

The third response to the deepening recession is accepting it.

Accepting things as they are is one of the most common coping mechanisms that we often use to deal with things we don't like. By accepting things as they are, we reduce the fear and anxiety of the circumstance. Thus we reduce the stress from the circumstance.

Many people wander through life accepting their lot in life. Some become almost numb to disappointment by just rationalizing everything with the idea that “it just wasn’t meant to happen (for me).”

Although such an attitude can be helpful in reducing stress, it does little to help one make the most of circumstances. Not happy with your income level….worry not, just accept it. Not happy with the behavior of your children…worry not, just accept it. Not happy with your golf game….worry not, just accept it. Not exactly the approach you see from a winner like Tiger Woods who restructured his swing while at the top of the game in his quest to get even better yet.

So, are you just accepting the personal consequences of the economic downturn?

How far does your acceptance go? Have you accepted you will lose your job, or that your salary will be cut significantly?

If you are a business owner, have you accepted that your revenues will decline precipitously, or…even worse…that your business will fail?

More often than not, we get what we expect in life. We do so, because we adjust our actions to our expectations. And, our actions greatly influence our results. That is why the notion of the self-fulfilling prophecy has so much validity.

What actions are you taking that likely doom you to negative consequences from this downturn?

Up next: Tomorrow, I will cover the fourth...and least common...of the attitudes about the recession, embracing its existence. Yes, "embracing" the recession, an attitude that can help you to be one of those prospering from the downturn.