Before all of this financial calamity, so seemingly present everywhere, did you really think much about “the economy?” What is it really? Is the economy something true and real, or rather just a concept?
Let’s look at it this way: The word “economy” has a wide variety of different usages and variations of definition, but I can’t seem to find one that aligns with the way it is portrayed in almost any medium in recent times.
What I am talking about is the fear that has manifested itself into this concept and encompassing term of the worldwide financial system.
Yes, “the economy” is a real concept, and it is very important. But just as important is the way it is perceived.
This current perception needs a major overhaul.
Simply defined on Dictionary.com in the most pertinent way, an economy in the broader sense of the word is “the management of the resources of a community, country, etc., esp. with a view to its productivity.” With excessive fear-mongering, this “management” can get blown way off course.
Yes, there are some pretty depressing and grim financial scenarios happening all over, but the fear that these situations breed has been quite contagious, causing a ripple effect that just exacerbates the state of the current happenings. When left uncontained, this fear can spread quickly, just like a nasty virus.
When everything is constantly perceived as doom and gloom everywhere you turn, it can subconsciously alter behavior, even if there is nothing imminent around the corner that may affect something personally.
Does this mean that you should not prepare yourself for the unexpected and not worry whatsoever about what is happening around you? Certainly not. You may have loved ones who have been seriously affected by layoffs, home foreclosures, excessive debt, etc. Since these scenarios are so close to you, it may be hard to usher them away without thinking too deeply into them.
Again, there is danger and uncertainty with what is going on with regards to the recession. But the major difference between being paralyzed with fear and just going with the flow and taking things as they come, without excessive worry, all lies in your perception.
With the 24-hour news cycle constantly chirping away in your ear minutely analyzing every single iota of every bad situation out there, the awareness of it all that subconsciously gets implanted in your mind may get a bit skewed.
Seriously, when awash in bad news all the time, it can really change the way you think about it all. For example, you may have been going about your day in your regular way, and then you flip on the TV, only to hear that 7,000 more people got laid off, the Dow tumbled by another 300 points, the unemployment rate has went to a higher percentage, and home values continue to plummet. Naturally, this will bring about fearful sensations.
But what if you didn’t flip on the TV, and just went about your day in your usual manner? Would “the economy” really be directly affecting you?
Now of course, if you have found yourself in a dire financial situation that was caused by economical factors beyond your control, resulting from the recession, then yes, it may be directly affecting you.
If not though, then you are probably carrying out your daily life in a way that is not much inherently different than before. So if you subtract the constant barrage of bad news from it that may be skewing your approach to things, then is “the economy” really something that should be at the forefront of your mind?
And even if it has had a negative impact upon you, then the same thing applies. Take away the things that trigger fear, and the situation is still there. But it’s how you perceive it that can make the difference between being petrified about it, or for you to be in a calm mindset enough to accept and be at peace with it, and work toward the solution with more of a clear head, which will only increase your productivity.
It really is all about the perception. Also, it is about how you manage your own “economy,” which is your personal financial world – your income, your expenses, your savings, etc. When you can make the most of a seemingly bad situation by taking fear out of the equation, and really buckle down in a manner most appropriate for your situation, you may see that your own personal “economy” may really be strong enough to weather the storm, despite all that you hear every day.
Check back soon for a continuation of this, and a discussion of some ways to lessen the fear and anxiety that may be unnecessarily plaguing you during these “economic times.”
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