Happy New Year everyone! It has been an amazing year hasn't it? Bumpy? Yes. It seems as if the world is coming apart at the seams and now we have lost Sean Connery.
But, it is clear to me, if you analyze the news—real news from international sources, not the news we get here in The U.S.A.—we will not be facing an economic recovery any time soon. How can I predict such things? Well The United States is no longer independent of the worlds problems. We are a finely woven tapestry of nations strung together by various socioeconomic and political tides that affect all of us.
If there is an economic problem in Europe, it is just a matter of time before it lands on our shores as well. Article: Europe leaders warn of a difficult 2012
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| Government austerity has undermined growth and caused a great deal of anger around Europe. Photo belongs to AP and BBC. |
These predictions are possibilities based on the available facts and events at hand, not theories.
"But Brad, how can you be so sure?"
It is how Keynesian Economics works. Just in case you do not know this, Keynesian Economics is the basis of our economic system here in the United States. More taxes, more printing of money and injecting it into the economy and...sadly, more war. We use a blended version here in the USA, but either way, the rest of the Industrialized Nations have adopted our fiat money system. And when the system has reached critical mass, chaos becomes the norm as government officials sit with economists and try to figure out how to stop the financial meltdown. Prices fluctuate. Hyper-Inflation and deflation go hand in hand as Velocity can no longer be predicted. Banks fail. Businesses fail. Police start ticketing people for little things. Tolls go up. Real estate taxes go up. And good money withdrawals from the system waiting for it to stabilize.
As the Fed prints, prints, prints and spends, spends, spends, it's way out of this mess, your dollars, especially the one you have saved in your 401Ks, pensions and mutual funds will become worth-less, less, and less. Why else do you think people who make over $150,000 a year are struggling? Now imagine how hard it is for people making $8 an hour? It is IMPOSSIBLE to live when the value of every dollar you save gets destroyed. It is a form of stealing.
John Maynard Keynes himself ABANDONED his own work at the end of his life stating that it would cause the economic collapse of any nation that adopted his ideas. But as Richard Maybury pointed out in his newsletters and books, a recession is actually a sustained depression, CAUSED by government intervention and meddling.
So until we get leaders in office that get this, our future will be incredibly bumpy for the next 5 to 10 years.
So what do you do? I say use the spiritual story of Trust in God, BUT Tie Up Your Camel...which is about taking as much responsibility as you can and let the rest go so you can enjoy life. In other worlds, after you prepare for life, stop worrying.
Ups and downs are a part of life. It is how we learn. Why else are you alive, living in a physical body, in the country you are in and the family you have been born into? You think that is some sort of accident? You are here to learn. And I hate to say it, stop with New Years Resolutions...it's like trying to fix symptoms instead of tackling the problem head on.
Instead, prepare for the worst, fix what you can, pay off all debts and stock up on what you think you will need. THEN take a look at my list of cool ideas it just might be time to do.
Brad's Cool List of Things To Do in 2012:
1) Start a Business on a shoe string budget
A friend of mine started a company with $50...he now bills out
over $5 million a year!!!
over $5 million a year!!!
2) Save Money by moving in with Family
Suck it up, your family loves you despite what your therapist has you believe.
3) Spend some time with that friend you've been meaning to visit
Don't be cheap...bring a bottle of wine, or a DVD of some movie they said they loved but never bought.
Don't be cheap...bring a bottle of wine, or a DVD of some movie they said they loved but never bought.
4) Commit to volunteering once a week
Nothing makes you feel like you are alive like giving back to life like serving those less fortunate.
BTW: That goes for those of you who are volunteering too much.
BTW: That goes for those of you who are volunteering too much.
Ask yourself "from what you are trying to escape?"
5) Cook a big dinner and invite neighbors over
Even the ones you don't like.
6) Take in a seminar on something you have always wanted to do
Like how to write a book or public speaking or how to start a business in your home.
7) Forgive your enemies ...but more importantly, forgive yourself
8) Get off the computer and go outside...
If missing your "friends" status update will traumatize you, you may need to get a life. They aren't going anywhere. IF you miss someone's updated status, I am sure your life will be fulfilled without it.
Look, there are people in wheelchairs and laying in hospital beds who rely on the Internet and their Social Network for a sense of connection to real people. They cannot go outside. Some operate the internet with voice commands because they cannot move from the neck down. Without it, they would truly be alone.
If you are not one of these people, shut the computer off and get some fresh air.
If you are not one of these people, shut the computer off and get some fresh air.
9) Watch less Television
Want to kill productivity and add to your procrastination?
(Note to Self: Stop watching The Twilight Zone all day)
(Note to Self: Stop watching The Twilight Zone all day)
10) Laugh more
This may require you to actively seek out funny comedies, positive friends and choosing to smile instead of frowning. And remember, there are people out there who actually like being miserable. Ignore them.
11) Read a book on a subject you can't stand
Like economics. Or read my book. I read 30 books and interviewed hundreds so you don't have to.
Like economics. Or read my book. I read 30 books and interviewed hundreds so you don't have to.
12) Make a commitment to be more positive
This is about emotional control...do some research on Emotional IQ studies.
Tony Robbins has some great stuff on it in Awaken The Giant Within.(note to self: be more positive in 2012)
Tony Robbins has some great stuff on it in Awaken The Giant Within.(note to self: be more positive in 2012)
13) Try Reverse Mentorship
I tell people in my corporate programs to do this and I am passing it on to you. Whether you like it or not, younger generations are on the cutting edge of more than technology... they are on the cutting edge of methodologies, invention and thinking. Notice it is the youth who are at the forefront of those global protests?
Commit to having coffee once a month with someone younger than you to pick their brain and listen to trends and changes. Do it before you are out of a job.
Commit to having coffee once a month with someone younger than you to pick their brain and listen to trends and changes. Do it before you are out of a job.
14) Make love more often
Notice I didn't say have more sex, although that will be the end result of your attempts at romance. Try it. It isn't always about you all the time.
And last but not least...
15) Spend more time with yourself communing with God
Whatever your belief —TM, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Jedi, or Ancient Aliens, do SOMETHING this year on a consistent basis that connects to your belief in God or a higher power. You will be richer in spirit for it, less angry and less of a jerk.
It's worked wonders on me;-) LOL. Although some people would disagree with that one.
And on a side note, people who meditate on a consistent basis age slower. Just an FYI for the ladies.
It's worked wonders on me;-) LOL. Although some people would disagree with that one.
And on a side note, people who meditate on a consistent basis age slower. Just an FYI for the ladies.
I hope that helps. I will commit this year to being more funny, less serious, and to blog more. We have some pretty cool things happening here at Brad Szollose Worldwide and I'll share those wins as much as I can.
Thank you all for following my blog, videos and meanderings on Facebook and Twitter. To a 2012 of personal prosperity and spiritual growth. Ignore the negative, accentuate the positive, listen to your inner nudges and take action.
The very best to all of you this year...
Brad Szollose
Brad is the award winning, international bestselling author of Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia: Multigenerational Management Ideas That Are Changing The Way We Run Things ISBN-13: 978-1608320554
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