AnAmericanAbroad.com Columns/Opinion Pages
|
OP-ED COLUMNIST HERE & THERE By Brian Wall Brian
Wall, runs an Op- Residing
at the moment Twitter: @bwall99
|
HERE &
THERE: Self-fulfilling
Prophecies
September 9, 2011 Self fulfilling prophecies. What is that actually? According to Wikipedia, "it's a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true." It can be positive or negative. You see this regularly with individuals, markets, cultures and more. Everyone uses information in different ways but it is actually what you really think that sets the course. With consumers, if enough people think the economy is bad or will stay bad or get worse, people will likely slow down their purchases. They will think twice on impulse buying and be more rational. However, the average person doesn't really know what is around the corner with the economy so it's a hunch or some people might a have better educated guess. But if a significant number of people start to feel this at the same time, the economy will go down as consumer confidence drops. Thus how people think, why they think this and where they get their information is important. What we see in America is a 12% approval rating in Congress. We also see a Presidential approval rating of 39%. At the same time, we see a consumer confidence index falling each month and is at record for the year and it is dropping faster in the last few months than at most anytime in the last 15 years. What happens now depends not only on what happens but how we think and act. Data that comes out on unemployment figures or headlines about jobs cuts will keep this level relatively in check. Politicians and the media have a big influence here. Every one of us can get these numbers from different sources and move on with our lives. We don't have to really watch TV news shows, listen to political analysis or listen to the politicians. We roughly know the facts, right? Is one or two GOP debates blasting the President going to change these numbers in the next 12 months? Is one speech by the President going to really alter these numbers? That is for you to decide and of course it's your time to do what you want. But clearly the numbers speak for themselves. There is a lot of negative energy in the USA and many people are frustrated. When will people collectively start to feel positive again? More job opportunities help. But If Obama loses in 2012, we will still see half of the country feeling sick as they have seen what the GOP did over 8 years. But it is a change, right? or not? People can quote all they want about was it better with Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr., or Obama. But an underlying factor was the IT revolution in the last 20 years. None of these people created it. It was the guy in the garage, the girl in the university and the risk taker at big and small businesses. Changing these kinds of numbers takes time. Actually inch by inch. But it is also how you feel. Do you believe there are people in their garages, in universities, and at universities who are working on projects that will become businesses? The world is full of them. Go abroad and look at how the Netherlands operates, how China looks, what is being done in Germany or South Korean. There is so much opportunity in India. Why are people starving in parts of Africa? Perhaps new markets there? Look at the trade shows in your area or country. Join groups about what entrepreneurs are doing and what they think and need. Perhaps even work on your own ideas in your home office or garage. These days you can make nearly anything and get it cheaply done. It takes ideas. Politicians are who they are. The media is who they are. Don't let them be the one that controls your mind and start the sentiment. Am I saying the economy is not in bad shape or the politicians are not to blame? No. I'm suggesting that we all do our own homework and that we focus on creating a new path away from the news. Ask local business owners where they see their business going and how they need help. Do your own exploring both home and abroad. Make your life more flexible. The world is full of opportunities and ideas. So what positive plan are you going to put forward? Let's start to create a positive self-fulfilling one. Comments on this column can be sent to Brian by filling out this form. |
Last
Columns: Here & There: Bachmann 22:32 Here & There: Ridiculous Stuff Here & There: Checks & Balances |
