It makes good sense to pay attention to economic indicators. But a weakening economy should not give you a reason for your sinking bottom line. If it does, then you may have just found real cause for your bottom line: blaming it on economy.

Too often people believe "reason" they are having a particular problem is due to something that is happening elsewhere (and usually outside of their control). This is especially true in business world. Here is an example:

Shoe Store A is doing very well until Shoe Store B opens up across street. Revenues decline at Shoe Store A as Shoe Store B gets up and going. But, and this is a very important but, to degree that owner (and staff) at Shoe Store A attribute their decline in revenue to existence of Shoe Store B, TO THAT DEGREE they will be unable to deal with it.

Shoe Store A simply needs to step back and realize they have new competition and take concrete steps to retain their current customers and create new ones. Perhaps they need to streamline their marketing and advertising effort. Maybe they actually need to do some marketing for first time!

The reason sales are down at Shoe Store A is not Shoe Store B. Sales are down because Shoe Store A did not effectively shift their own gears to keep their business afloat and prosperous.

That may sound simplistic, but when an executive or business owner places blame elsewhere, this very act of "placing blame elsewhere" reduces his ability to devise effective solutions. It actually reduces his ability to think straight, because s/he is so embroiled in what is happening somewhere else.

(1) DREAM BIG DREAMS. Thinking Big will change your life. For a crash course on this read "The Magic of Thinking Big." (2) CREATE A SPECIFIC PICTURE OF WHERE YOU'RE GOING. The more specific you are more likely you are to get there.

(3) THINK AND ACT LIKE YOU'RE THE OWNER OF A BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS OF EVERYTHING YOU DO. Even if you work for someone else, you're attitude will plant seeds for your independent greatness to grow.

(4) LOVE WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING NOW. If you don't love it, leave it. By saying no to doing work just for money you are magnetizing work to you that you can love.

(5) CREATE A MASTERMIND GROUP. Have a regular meeting with others who are committed to building great lives. Share what you're up to and support each other.

(6) ESTABLISH A HEALTHY WORK ETHIC. Make taking action your best friend.

(7) COMMIT TO CONSTANT NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENT. Every day be searching for how you can learn more.

(8) SEE YOUR WORK AS SERVICE. Helping others will grow your business.

(9) KNOW YOUR BUSINESS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. That's your job.