Now is the Time for Action…

…Not Fear! We are all familiar with Franklin D. Roosevelt's words:

"...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

He said these words at the beginning of his inaugural speech on March 4, 1933. As I read through the entire inaugural address to understand his full context, it occurred to me he was speaking about Leadership, both his and that of the citizenry of that time. Fast-forward to today and we find the message of leadership remains resolute. The National Bureau of Economic Research recently confirmed we have been in a recession since this time last year. But that is not really the headline. The real headline is whether we allow ourselves and our business to get caught up in the fear.

While I, like many others have been negatively impacted by the events of the last several months, the weakened economy, poor consumer confidence and uncertain stock markets do not affect my focus on my personal and professional Goals and Vision. A recession has no sway over my desire and ability to help organizations, individual professionals and students achieve sustained success when times are good as well as when times are tough. FDR's words were a call to action for improved results, a call to action not unlike what I am suggesting now.

* Now is the time to plan for 2009 and the future
* Now is the time for creative and inspirational thinking
* Now is the time for renewed confidence in you, your family, community and country
* Now is the time to focus on what success means for you and your business
* Now is the time to be responsible for your actions and that of your organization
* Now is the time to invest in your personal and professional brand
* Now is the time to align your business with its Vision, Mission, Strategy and Goals
* Now is the time to put Fear behind you
* Now is the time to have fun and smile more
* Now is the time for Positive Attitudes and Purposeful Actions

As we take stock of our circumstances and craft our plan of action to advance, I believe we have 2 choices. We can wait for someone to tell us what to do next, a bailout of sorts. Or we can reach out to someone (mentor, adviser, coach etc.) who can help us with our accountability to the actions necessary to achieve improved results and sustained success.

Lead Well.

Rick Lochner