I coach fellow professional organizers who are starting their businesses or wanting to move their business to next level. Many have been in a panic about downturn in economy, because clients have less discretionary income to spend. As I have worked with these clients, I have asked myself, "What would Mr. Stone say about this downturn and how it positively affects our industry?" There's no doubt in my mind that he would see plenty of opportunity.

Are you wondering how one takes an economic downturn and creates opportunity for a professional organizer from that? Consider costs of disorganization ( http://www.orgcoach.net/whatitcosts.html ). Then imagine benefits working with someone who can facilitate an increase in productivity. In other words, these challenging economic times actually accentuate need for such services as leaner staff search for ways to work smarter rather than harder.

It all comes down to perspective. I could say to myself, "This is terrible! With downturn in economy, nobody will have a budget for my services." OR... "This is great! With tightening of budgets and loss of support staff, there's an even greater need for executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs to be more productive and effective, which is precisely what I'm here to help them do!"

As important as positive mental attitude is, Stone says that "there is something more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision."

Seizing Opportunity "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in world are people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." --George Bernard Shaw

Timing certainly plays a factor in our successes and failures, but action is ultimately required. Most of us are exposed to many opportunities, yet few recognize opportunities when they come along. Even fewer actually act on them. One good idea implemented is worth 1000 that are just talked about.

Have you ever had a great idea, and several years later you saw that idea show up in marketplace? Was that person "lucky" to be in right place at right time? Or did they create "luck" for themselves by translating their idea into a plan of action?

Are you ready to seize your own opportunities? Ask yourself: 1. Do I have a clear vision? Am I clear about what my product or service looks like and who my target market is? 2. Do I have passion for working to get this idea to take flight? Does my idea encompass a mission that matters to me? 3. Do I have an action plan that will move me toward making this vision become a reality? What's next step I choose to take?

Take a moment to contemplate following questions, and write down your answers. These questions are designed for you to consider what might be possible for you and your business if you had at least one collaborator in your same industry.

1. Who in your same industry do you consider to be your main "competition?"

2. If you were not serving your customers, who would be serving them?

3. What services do these businesses offer that are same as yours? Different from yours?

4. Have you ever referred one of your less-than-perfect customers to one of your "competitors?"

5. What would stop you from referring a less-than-perfect customer to one of your "competitors?"

6. Under what conditions would you refer a less-than-perfect customer to one of your "competitors?"

7. Do you belong to an association or organization dedicated solely to your industry?

8. If so, what benefits have you received as a result of your membership in that organization?

9. Who else do you know in your industry who belongs to this organization?

If you want to make a dramatically impressive difference in your business, we invite you to meet or speak with a new potential collaborator every day for next 21 days. You will create quite a stir within your industry, you will have a greater breadth of knowledge about your industry than other businesses providing similar services, and your reputation for being open and collaborative will spread very quickly resulting in increased positive awareness and referrals.

So, who will you be calling first?

Copyright 2002, PerfectCustomers Inc., www.perfectcustomer.com. For more information, and to receive your free subscription to Daily Strategic Attraction Tip E-zine, contact PerfectCustomers Info at info@perfectcustomer.com.

Jan Brogniez's background includes more than 20 years producing millions of dollars of sales revenue in Corporate America. Jan's mastery of strategic planning and her keen business acumen led to the development of PerfectCustomers Inc.'s proprietary Strategic Design Session process.