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+353-91-867969Without doubt fear can alter people’s perception of reality. Fear is evident around every corner, in every household, just about in every second conversation in many countries in the developed world.
News coverage of current events added to by the multitude of doom and gloom merchants that populate these countries have induced fear into many people.
So much so that people are seeing things differently, indeed seeing things differently to what they are. Even the rich are starting to believe they are poor.
It is a fact that many, many people are losing their jobs. It is also a fact that the significant majority of people are enjoying a much higher disposable income as a result of lower interest rates, bargains everywhere, cheaper fuel costs and so on. Have we forgotten this silent majority? A majority that, with their spending power could potentially help get us out of these challenging times.
This selective amnesia and a focus on doom and gloom are now having a very negative effect on the second groupings – some of our existing rich are now starting to believe they are poor.
Yesterday a business colleague shared the following story. An acquaintance of his decided to start bringing his lunch to work after twenty years of having his meal in the local restaurant. John is in his mid fifties and is married to Mary, a teacher. Both earn over €70k a year, have no mortgage and their children have grown up. At any level of analysis they are in well paid secure jobs and most certainly can afford John’s daily lunch out! When this story was relayed in another location, a lady smiled and conceded that her husband who was a College Professor had started to bring a flask of coffee to work saving him from having to buy the subsidised coffee in the University canteen. Believe it or not.
These are prime examples of how fear can alter people’s perception of reality.
This story inspired me to take significant action in the context of spreading the “Real News!†Next week I will be launching an ebook honouring my commitment to reverse this worrying trend.
Finally many people may wonder what they can do to help?
What we need is authentic leadership at all levels with people saying it as it is and without fear – highlighting the opportunities and possibilities and closing themselves off to the current negative conditioning.
My dream is that companies will take action to either a) take opportunities in the current environment or b) position themselves well for the upturn when it arrives. The last thing I want to see are entrepreneurs paralysed by a fear induced by the the current conditioning forces.
Make a difference – YES YOU CAN!
I love the article and completely agree. This climate of fear fuelled by the media is inducing a fear in people that I’ve never seen in this country up to this point. It’s sad & disappointing.
This is Badly needed – the media have alot to answer for at the moment. They have the public downright scared to spend money. Even items that are essentials are being put on hold until they are absolutely necessary.
We really need people to start counteracting this type of scaremongering. If there is anything I can do to help just let me know.
This is the kind of common sense that needs to proliferated. The masses are operating in a collective irrationality regarding what is really a much warranted correction of a heated, credit fuelled economy that had become the accepted normality.
It was unsustainable, particuarly the construction sector. We need to develop our knowledge based assests going forward.
Kevin, you have articulated very well how a positive outlook is essential for positive action, the kind of which is necessary during these very challenging times. There needs to be a wide appraisal of what can be done -what opportunities still exist -what can we control and what is outside of our control.
Your views should be broadcast on national media to draw more focus on the positives and redress the overly negative sentiment that is having detrimental effects on people’s outlook.