Get out of da funk, get out of da noise

Has this recession got you in a funk? It does me. I’m normally a positive, cheerful guy. But the last month was a little too stressful for my liking. Almost everyone I talk to is complaining. I turn on the news and it’s nothing but bad ju-ju. Companies laying off employees, clients cutting budgets and banks folding left and right. 

All this doom and gloom got me down. And I’m not the only one suffering from recession depression. Many of my clients, friends and family are there too. Some of the most talented and brilliant people I know are affected. 

So how do we get out of this funk? How do we turn off the noise and get our head and spirit in a better place? Here are 6 tips:

1. Stop reading or watching the news for one month. The media plays a big part in the state of our world today. Every time we turn on the news or read the headlines it’s designed to bring us down. Take a break from that. Make a conscious effort to avoid the mainstream news. In fact, focus only on good news. I stumbled upon a good news website that is now my home page on my browser. It makes me smile and puts me in a good mood.

2. Move your butt. Get your body out of the house and exercise on a daily basis. That’s right. Every day. For one hour. It will clear your head, change your mood and help you sleep better at night. There are more benefits you can read about from the Mayo clinic. 

3. Go away. And I don’t mean on a vacation. Take yourself on a solo retreat and disconnect for a couple of days. Use the time to review your business, revisit that marketing plan you’ve been meaning to look at and do some big picture thinking.

4. Learn something (anything) new. Get your brain thinking in new ways. Tapping into your creative juices will affect other areas in your life.  Enroll in an art class, learn a new language or take up baking. Whatever you’re passionate about that you’ve always wanted to do - do it now. Tap into your right brain a little more. Get creative. It’s good for you.

5. Collaborate with like-minded people. One of my clients who owns a design agency in Boston collaborated with another agency-owner to work on their marketing together. Along with our bi-weekly marketing and coaching calls, she devotes a half day every Wednesday to meeting with her colleague and move her marketing plan forward. They share resources and split the costs of producing new collateral. The added accountability is showing good results and keeping the momentum going.

6.  Avoid the doom and gloom conversations. Misery loves company. And everyone loves to complain about how bad things are.  Don’t start these converstions and refuse to be part of them. Shift your focus to the positive. Talk about what is going well and surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you.

Here’s the big idea. We’re going through a rough time and it’s up to all of us to stay positive.  Do the work that needs to be done and get out of this recession funk.  Don’t let fear take over.

April 2000
Peleg Top
Marketing Mentor: Tips & Ideas for Creative Business Growth