Article - Maintaining Value in a World of Collapsing Asset Prices by Clive Harvey Fox |
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Clive Harvey Fox - 'The Indigo Man'
Clive Harvey Fox is a motivational speaker talking at schools, universities and companies. He is also engaged in developing online life skills teaching. He is the author of the book 'Finding My Gift' which deals with the importance of self-love and the need to search for the healing gifts that reside well-hidden in all our painful losses.
Websites: www.indigo-man.com & www.findingmygift.com
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Maintaining Value in a World of Collapsing Asset Prices |
Ever since the totally unexpected demise of Lehman Bros in 2008, the world has been a very different place. Economic stability that was generally taken for granted after decades of sustained economic growth and rising asset prices, has suddenly given way to a radical revaluation of all goods and services. For the first time since the Great Depression of the 1930’s, central banks and governments have had to step in to rescue failing banks in an effort to support the entire economic structure from potential apocalypse. Amazingly, we hear of countries that are totally bankrupt!
A world that was dominated by greed has suddenly succumbed to crippling fear as corporations and household institutions that seemed impregnable, suddenly show signs of fatigue by laying off tens of thousands of workers in a bid to survive the challenge of the massive uncertainty that lies ahead. Possibly for the first time in most people’s lifetimes, job tenure is highly uncertain and the security of long term savings becomes a concern.
What we are witnessing is a massive global revaluation and adjustment which is happening at a speed that most people find impossible to relate to. The climate has changed so markedly and so aggressively that most remain numb as to the reality of the new world order. This is a place where survival of the fittest has suddenly become the norm, rather than a world where employment and bonuses were previously considered normal.
In this maelstrom of rapid change it is easy to lose perspective and to sink into brooding fear. It is this destructive mindset that gives rise to the economic term “depression”, because that is at the core of most people’s thinking. Depression on a personal level sets in when hope for the future dims and enthusiasm gives way to languishing in negativity and the inability to see the good in anything. When this attitude is carried by a significant proportion of the population, we speak of depressed economies that seem unable to lift out of the gloom of difficulty.
It is easy to be sucked down in such infectious climates, but more than ever, we need to do what we can as individuals every day, to rise above the potential to sink into mental decline. This requires a concerted effort throughout each day by everyone who chooses to grow from adversity. Hidden in every challenge is a gift and finding that gift should be the focus of our attention, rather than passively allowing ourselves to become part of the overall downward vortex.
To begin with, choose to avoid being around people who dwell in negativity. We can so easily become part of their limited thinking without even realising what is happening to ourselves. The environment you immerse yourself in is what you will ultimately become! Consciously choose to be around those who strive to make lemonade out of the lemons Life has given them. Be with people who challenge you in positive ways rather than drifting with a crowd who float aimlessly hoping for better days.
We are accustomed to valuing ourselves by what we own rather than who we actually are. Material possessions can never be permanent features of our lives. However much they may bring a short-term sense of security, we should be learning from present conditions that a sense of security created by the material is not valid and that our only security is in ourselves. We are our wealth and that is where minds should reside.
We habitually concern ourselves with what others might be thinking or saying about us rather than using that personal energy more meaningfully to hold the most positive thoughts about ourselves most of the time. Develop the habit of trying to hold empowering thoughts, rather than wasting time in concern over the opinions of others. By doing this, you will become the master of your ego and be able to use ego more productively than is the norm.
Understand that you can achieve your dreams, not by waiting for circumstances to change, but by using what you have right now to take the first small step in the direction of that dream. And let each step be minutely small, because when we think of the enormity of what often needs to be achieved, we sow the seeds for self-sabotage. A progression of small steps taken daily soon leads to considerable progress and the knowledge of that achievement powers the way to continue to conclusion.
We empower ourselves by focusing on the positives, rather than remaining paralysed in all the reasons why things can’t happen. What we focus on is what we attract; so let’s choose to bring good things to us rather than being magnets for every conceivable adversity. The easiest way to hold a positive mind is to stay in deep gratitude for everything in our lives. Gratitude is the greatest antidote to negativity, because you can’t be negative whilst being grateful. Choose to develop the habit of persistent gratitude!
We are so much more than we can ever imagine. We allow our thinking to be shaped by the world around us, rather than shaping the world by our most powerful thoughts. In everything choose to be MORE; the emphasis placed on “being” rather than “having”. Step out of limited thinking, strangled by tired beliefs, into the realms of the infinite which is the art of creation.
Start cultivating the thought that every downturn brings a cycle of extreme and rapid change. Be the change that you want to see in the world in this vortex of dramatic change and allow it to manifest one step at a time. Choose to benefit from change rather than to be a victim of circumstance. Your persistent thoughts will carry you to where you choose to be regardless of where you presently find yourself.
Above all else, value yourself highly. This is not about the ridiculous dance of an unbridled ego, but is rather the hugely empowering attitude of self-love that is the cornerstone of all physical, mental and emotional health. The world will use the value you place on your own head as its benchmark for your valuation. Make sure you do not undervalue yourself because of a scarcity mentality or through the wiles of misplaced humility. Humility resides in “knowing” your value at the very core of your being and never having to prove it to another human being!
In the current climate of collapsing asset prices, choose to be MORE by understanding that you have the power and the ability to value yourself more than ever before, not by the value of what you own but by your capacity to embrace considerable growth in an increasingly turbulent world.
Clive Harvey Fox
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