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Turn on the news, read a paper or eavesdrop at the local coffee shop and one might think the world is coming to an end. Bad news seems prevalent and negativity is around every corner. However, around the other corner, and hidden in quiet smiling groups of people, is the reality that things aren’t as bad as it seems. In fact, some people are staying quite positive and even prospering during these interesting times.

Recently I attended the NAMS Workshop in Atlanta and one of the best things about that few days was the attitude of “what recession” that was spreading around like wildfire. That’s right. Several times during that long weekend you would hear that phrase, “what recession?”

Why? Because the people there chose to focus on the positive aspects of business and build from those instead of worrying about the bad news and the stock market numbers. As a result their businesses were flourishing even in the current economy. Yes, that’s very possible. Several panel members and attendees verified that their business income actually increased this year. Not quite what you’d expect, is it?

Here’s a few quick tips on staying positive during this time that some might see as difficult…..

#1 Tune out the negativity. The news, the newspaper and even online media sites thrive and prosper on negativity. Eliminate them from your environment. If you need to know the weather, check the online weather sites, leave the television news off. If you need to know the sports scores, check the sports website.

You can also have the information you’re interested in emailed to you or subscribe to a reader and access only the information, the positive information, you need. I know this sounds difficult to do, but a little bit of effort goes a long way here. You’ll be surprised how much better your day is when you’re not being bombarded with bad news.

#2 Surround yourself with positive people. You really are a product of your environment and surrounding yourself with positive people will help you stay positive. And when the occasional person slips and dives into negativity, clearly and confidently steer them back to the light.

Your disposition has an effect on others around you, stay positive and you’ll help others stay positive too. Personally, I’ve found a safe haven in Lynn Terry’s SSWT’s Elite Mastermind and Brainstorming Forum. It’s filled with positive people that are working towards goals that are similar to my own online. We help keep each other positive and brainstorm through any difficult patches.

#3 Remember what you do have. Regardless of how bad things get, there is always something to be grateful for. Even if it’s as small as the pencil in your hand or the breath that fills your lungs. We live in an amazing and miraculous world, when we remember that and all we have to be grateful for, the sky is the limit.

This is a big thing for me. I’ve gone through some rough stuff the past year or two. My husband was seriously ill, my mother in law was in the hospital and also seriously ill, we were suddenly forced to pack up and move unexpectedly at one point. My budget is still in the process of playing catch up.

These are all life things that can take a toll on your emotions and your business. It is important to take at least a few minutes every single day and be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for big things, for your family, for a place to live, for food at dinner time. Be thankful for small things, your cell phone, your dog, your lip gloss. Just be thankful, grateful, and spread some happy thoughts.

#4 Set small goals. Often we feel defeated because we didn’t achieve our goal. For example, if your goal was to make $50,000 in your new online business and you fell short of that goal you may feel defeated and sink into negativity. However, if you set smaller goals, like to make that first $5,000, then you begin to create a pattern of success and those achievements, no matter how small, help you to stay and feel positive.

Goal setting takes practice! It’s easy to overwhelm yourself by setting your goals too high. It’s also easy to discourage yourself by setting your goals too low. Nicole Dean is the queen of goal setting and to do list making. One thing she recommended recently that I went and did immediately was to create a list of goals, including both lifestyle goals and monetary goals, for 1 year from now, 5 years from now, and 10 years from now. Grab a paper and set some goals today.

#5 Reframe. You’ve likely heard the phrase, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Reframing a situation to look at the silver lining or to make lemonade helps you stay positive. So the next time something potentially negative happens, pull out the positive aspects of the life lesson, challenge, or situation. Reframe the situation to look at the bright side.

Reframing can often times lead to fresh new ideas! When you find a positive aspect, think about how you can make it grow and be even more positive. Think about things you can do to contribute to making something better, then do those things. Give positive energy, get positive energy in return.

Staying positive during negative times can be a challenge. However, every small step you take to stay positive builds upon itself. Eventually, an eternally positive outlook will become a habit, a way of life, and significantly easier and much more fun than falling into despair.

P.S. I mentioned two of my favorite mentors in this post, Lynn Terry and Nicole Dean. Download this free interview that Nicole did with Lynn. A lot of great, positive points in this interview, and of course a little side of humor and fun too!