My advice? Don't. Don't think about it, that is, don't waste your time. Do you know how it's going to turn out? Neither does anybody else. Those who oppose it are also equally in the dark about their plan.

There are parts of it that I find scary like trade sanctions, unimaginable debt and the question of will it really amend wholesale greed. No matter. It's now the Law of the Land and good or bad, it got there all fair and square through the process spelled out in the constitution. I'd suggest that rather than critique it, let's get behind the damned thing and support it - help make it work. We need to support SOMETHING.

But what I think about it is unimportant. It still gets back to what each of us, individually, is going to do. The bigger question is, what will we DO about it? Want to help the economy? Make a couple more calls a day. It's that simple. We can help the economy by Selling Our Way Out of This.

What if?

• This newsletter goes to over 5,000 people per issue. What if each of us could get one more account on the air and get some decent results for those accounts? Or even 1/10th of us did that.
• What if you could get one or two more accounts on the air - over what you had already planned? You'd have a nice year.
• Or create a couple good projects. Get smarter at prospecting (categories).
• As the parts become known, our job is to drill down and find benefits to the people we're calling on.  
• After all is said and done, we are the Economy Stimulators.
   

Winter is the perfect metaphor for our economic dilemma. In the last couple weeks I've spent time in Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis and Baltimore - and - it's still Winter.  At this time of year, in all those places, it seems that winter will never go away. We go to work every day with dreadful monotony of one darker day with low clouds, cold winds, sleet and blah!

However, when I was a kid my dad told me to watch the trees this time of year. All winter long the branches looked like ugly, lifeless sticks. But he told me to look for the branches to start looking fuzzy. Those are buds forming that will shortly explode into blossoms and -SPRING!!

The First Real Tonic - Spring

• There are the first clues of the possibility of Spring.
• A time for hope and the prospect of sunny, warm days.
• A time of renewed energy.
• A time for more outdoor activity.
• A time to open windows and let in fresh air.
• All signs of a new beginning.

Dave Sturgeon, MM of Three Eagles in Mankato, MN, reminded me that sometimes the winters are so rough that people think THIS winter won't go away. Don't worry - this winter - just like this Recession WILL go away. However, how fast Spring appears is partially up to us.

I love March Madness for several reasons. First the length; it starts March 17 and goes all the way to April 6. People get into it because it's not like professional sports - these guys aren't A-Rod millions dollar players - they're just playing for their school.  Another; it's spread all over the country. Chances are there are games near you.

The brackets were just made for our websites. No matter what the format, it's a great opportunity for on-air discussion directing listeners to the brackets on the website and much discussion, guessing and contesting. And how hard can it be to come up with some revenue-producers like portable hoops at remotes or clubs?  Or guessing the winners.  (Because "skill" is required, don't believe it's a lottery. But check first.)

Selections are announced Sunday, March 15 and Opening Rounds start March 17. The Conference playoffs start March 10th.

• First two rounds start March 19 in Boise, Dayton, Greensboro, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Portland.
• Regionals start March 26 in Boston, Phoenix, Indianapolis and Memphis.
• Final Four starts April 4 in Detroit, with the Championship Game - April 6.
  

Want some renewed energy? These online workshops are doing it every day.

Selling in a Tough Economy for Veterans & Managers - Thur, Feb 19 & Tues, March 3.
During rough times, corporate takes a beat on managers, who in turn beat are the ones with the biggest accounts - Senior AEs. This is stupid. We can all see the results. Don't act like adversaries, it costs you money. We need to quit the practice and find a better answer. Here's an hour and a half of how to start a new mutually beneficial relationship. How to team up for most possible billing.

Click Here for Details & Registration

Negotiation Skills for a Tough Economy - Thur, Feb 26 &  Mon, March 2. Just a tiny sample of subjects . . . 

• Don't let them beat you down.
• How to come up with snappy answers that will save and increase billing.
• How to walk away with both sides happy with the results.
• The Five Things You MUST Know Before Negotiating with a Client.
• The Five Things to NEVER Do. Lots of good ideas to use immediately.

Click Here for Details & Registration

Selling in a Tough Economy - During the week of March 2 - exact day TBA.
The most popular workshop;  New basics for the entire staff. It just keeps getting updated. Rather than discuss the Recession, we show how to come at it as A New Economy. All we have to do is understand and play by a new set of rules, including new ways to prospect and new prospect. We'll show you both; new rules, prospects and opportunities.