Gloomy outlook? Try these actions to stay on top.

Itโ€™s impossible to read the news without getting the distinct impression weโ€™re heading for stormy weather. Hereโ€™s what you need to do.

1. Avoid morale hoovers

If youโ€™re prone to getting a bit freaked out by gloomy talk, make sure you keep a polite distance from those who scaremonger. While hiding under the covers may not be the best strategy; nor is moping around looking and feeling scared.

 2. Choose your clients

If thereโ€™s ever a time to stop doing scrappy work with second-rate customers, now is that time. 

Start being the best you can be and stop burning time and energy on those who drain you.

Not sure how? This may sound cheesy, but well, buy our book and read it.      

3. Get raucous!

A great way to get noticed and attract new opportunities is to rattle cages. Get involved in discussions, forums, social networking and face-to-face networking and freely share knowledge and opinion about the sector within which you work.

Offer help, help and a little more help to anyone whoโ€™ll listen and savour the effect that giving has on receiving.        

4. Reassure

Itโ€™s tempting to discount when times are tough, but in this environment people are looking for reassurance that theyโ€™re spending their money wisely.

Itโ€™s rarely the cheapest who wins the sale; itโ€™s the one with the safest hands.

5. Make a fuss

Thereโ€™s one kind of dust that definitely doesnโ€™t need a hoover – fairy dust – so sprinkle liberally on your fans and raving fans. These are the wonderful people who support your business and refer you to others, so stay in regular contact.

Thoughts, feedback, comments, let me have it.