The Economy is tanking. . .YES!!! Huh??

As an entrepreneur you should always be looking for the best possible scenario within any given situation at any particular time to push your idea, business or venture forward. Ladies and gentlemen. . . let me tell you there is no better time than now! The economy is slow, times are uncertain, the market is shaky and spending is slooowing to a drip. YEESS! This is just the way you should like it!

Over the past few weeks I have been reading some spot on commentary about business and the financial crisis the country (and the world) is currently experiencing. Much of what I've been coming across has been about ideas that any business person should always be conscious of - success depends on knowing and understanding what's going on, stepping outside of the "mob mentality" (thinking and doing what everyone else is because you are emotionally caught up) and rationally looking at the situation and acting on good, sound judgement.

A couple of ideas to think about. . .

• Warren Buffett, the world's richest man according to Forbes magazine, said Friday in a newspaper commentary that he is buying US stocks even though the American economy is in a "mess". The reason, he said, is a key maxim in his outlook: "A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful".

• Paul Graham says . . . "The economic situation is apparently so grim that some experts fear we may be in for a stretch as bad as the mid seventies - When Microsoft and Apple were founded. As those examples suggest, a recession may not be such a bad time to start a startup". He goes on to say this; "If we've learned one thing from funding so many startups, it's that they succeed or fail based on the qualities of the founders. . . Which means that what matters is who you are, not when you do it. If you're the right sort of person, you'll win even in a bad economy".

Now of course with the shape the current economy is in,  the reality is that the environment and the terrain  is challenging. But the bigger picture is this - are you a person who sees that the  glass as half empty or do you see it as half full?

With the present situation as it is its valuable to think of the market in terms of this: People are being cautious  - you can differentiate yourself by being bold.  With less people willing to "make moves" that's less competition for you.  With more companies having tighter purses but still needing to conduct business that's a great opportunity for you to offer your services cheaper than the competition.

This is just a handful of ways to interpret the current environment.  Ultimately how you perceive the present situation is up to you.  But remember timing in this world is everything and if you have an opportunity to be bold (but don't forget, smart) and jumping out ahead of the competition when they are nervous to act, you might just find out this was the best decision you ever made.