Virgil Winston:Marketing Guru
I read an article recently that stated people are generally happier during good economic times than they are in bad, which struck me as remarkably obvious. Does it really take a PhD to tell me that turning my frown upside down is a whole lot easier if I have a few dollars in my pocket? Not that money buys happiness, per se, but it does at least eliminate or reduce the fear of not having enough when times are tough. I think we all know that. But what we might not know is how to create and retain happiness for ourselves amidst the fears and uncertainties brought on by recession or even depression. How does one stay upbeat when the economy is down?
As my great grandma Winston used to say, “Keep it simple stupid!” She was not an overly kind person, but she was extremely wise. The simple truth is, even when money is tight, we all have a lot to be grateful for and simple gratitude, for what we DO have, is a great way to gain perspective. I know I am grateful for my wife, my kids and my collection of promotional products dating back to 1959. As a marketer, I can’t afford not to be upbeat. After all, my business is built on other businesses remaining profitable in the future. So to make sure I stay on the happiness track, I keep a gratitude journal and write down five things I am grateful for every night before I go to bed. If you are a regular reader, you might be surprised to learn that a curmudgeon like me would do something as Pollyannaish as keep a gratitude journal; but the thing is, it actually works.
So, if you are feeling a little down in the dumps, try a little gratitude. It goes a long way. Encourage your employees, friends and customers to ride out the storm by remembering the good things in the Spectra Journal Book, imprinted with your company logo of course. Hey, who says feeling good can’t be branded?
I’ve got to go prepare for a long week with the in-laws; I am grateful it’s not a month. Until next time, remember the wise words of Buddha who said, “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.”