Forging Ahead In Tough Perilous Financial Times

These are days where economies are being tested and strained. As one great American economist wrote about the American economy, “This is a once in a hundred years financial problem.” Who could have fore seen the economic crisis that has plunged so many, so deeply into corporate and personal crisis? While the ear marks of shaky financial ground was recognized, who would have thought the dominos would fall in such a loud, vivacious, and tragic manner?

As news anchors bemoan the colossal deprivation of the economy, and spread the woes of a nation, how does one place his or her self in the race to succeed? How does one forge ahead when many are simply trying to hang on, or living numb in a reactive manner?

As every great warrior knows, in winning a war, there are often many battles—many skirmishes—where the losses in the battle ground are high. In war, many battles are won and loss, but individually they are not indicative of who will win the war. In the midst of a battle, the cost of lives and resources can be great, but a true leader painfully knows and understands the importance of staying focused on winning the war. American Civil War leader Gen. U.S. Grant was such a leader. So many men died under his leadership, he became known as “The Butcher”. His personal diaries shared of his inner torment in sending his friends to their deaths for the greater cause of preserving the unity of the United States of America. Gen. U.S. Grant new and understood the importance of not becoming hung up on the “now” but holding fast to a focus on the future.

Forging ahead in tough perilous times requires forward vision. It requires a mindset that looks above the “now” and to the future.

In the midst of a battlefield where bodies abound, the scent of human blood fills the nostrils, the cries and moans of the dying torments the inner being of those who stand—leaders know how to look across the field at a higher level. Leaders while conscious of the immediate circumstance, with heavy hearts for the immediate, know to look higher and forward to the horizon. True leaders know the importance of mustering courage in those who can still fight, picking up the flag, and moving them forward to victory.

Forging ahead in tough periless times requires the mustering of courage, the ability to see today for what it is, but fasten our focus on nothing less than true personal victory.

In the face of tough times, when all seems to be in doubt, believing in one’s self remains one of the hardest things for many people to do. There is fragility in the “I need to do something about this” mentality. There is courage and strength in the “Come Hell or high water…I can do” attitude. John Wayne, in an interview once described bravery as “knowing you’re out-manned and out-gunned, but choosing to saddle up anyhow.”

In the face of tough perilous times, victory is not far away. One only needs to look to the horizon.

In the face of your tough moments, don’t be fooled into “hanging on”, instead “grab hold of the excellence life has to offer you”, and fasten your focus on the horizon.

About the Author,

James C. Tanner of www.jamesctanner.com and www.silent-wonder.com is a writer, business mentor and speaker. He specializes in showing people who want to succeed in life how to take $400 to $500 dollars and within six to eight months turn it into a full-time home based income.

Copyright 2008 James C. Tanner. All rights reserved.