6 Strategies to Cope with the Economy

It's no secret that times are tough. As a whole, people are afraid, uncertain and pessimistic about the future.

No wonder, really. All you need to do is flip on a news program, surf the Internet or stand at the water cooler for two minutes to hear the latest developments in depressing news.

Therein lies the problem.

As the saying goes, "You are what you eat." When you consume a diet of primarily negative, depressing, fear-inciting news, it's logical that you'll feel negative, depressed, and fearful. You're giving your mind nothing by negative news to think about and focus on.

Yes, people are losing their homes to foreclosure. Stock prices are depressingly low. Once-profitable companies are laying off staff to stay solvent. And yes, some very desperate people are so afraid that they're even resorting to suicide.

But living in a state of fear won't help you achieve your dreams and potential. To get more of what you want and deserve from life, you need to live in a state of joy, optimism and passion.

Here are six ways you can insulate yourself from the negativity that's running rampant in the world:

1. Limit your access to news sites and channels. Tune in just long enough to get the highlights. Then move onto something that uplifts you.

2. Each day, feast on mental "health food" by reading an inspirational book or listening to a motivational tape or podcast.

3. Don't make negative stories the first -- or last -- thing that you see or hear. Instead, start your day by focusing on your goals and wind down by reviewing all for which you're grateful.

4. Limit the time you spend sharing your worries and concerns with friends, neighbors and coworkers. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Be the voice of optimism, of hope, of gratitude. Your words and actions have a powerful impact, not only on your own attitude and results, but also on the people around you. Step up to serve as inspiration for those who are blinded by fear.

5. Continue investing in your personal development. During challenging times, it's critical to function at your personal best. Being at your best personally will help you better relate to and serve the people in your life. It will also help you function at your best professionally, which in turn will help your company.

6. Connect with others who share your commitment to growth and achievement. It's human instinct to withdraw from the world when we're scared; we don't want people to see that we're scared. But if you isolate yourself, you cut yourself off from a powerful source of energy and awareness -- two key ingredients to rising above the challenges we're facing these days.

These six strategies are powerful and will help you cope with the challenges of our current economic situation. Be forewarned, though: many people you encounter will consider these practices foreign, perhaps a bit "out there."

The world is what it is. The economic situation is grim and may get worse before improving. Unfortunately, you can't change it or control it. What you can control is your reaction to what's going on around you. Use the six strategies listed above to take control of your inner world ... and relish the resulting peace.