Onward and Upward

I recall my grandmother saying “onward and upward” to motivate us when I was growing up.

The funny thing about memory is that it’s not always precise: my mother claims my grandmother never said it. Like Mark Twain, though, I can remember everything from when I was a kid whether it happened or not, and I’m sticking with my own special memory.

Optimism in business is critical.

It gives you the perspective to handle things when they go wrong, and the spirit to continue. To prize your own pluck and feel good to be alive.

I’m not talking about blind optimism with no basis in reality.

I’m talking about adopting an attitude that you can and will succeed no matter what, because you have complete control over what you think. It’s what led Colin Powell to remark that in times of war, optimism is a force multiplier.

We can control how we think in response to the economy, and we can choose what to do next. So, say it with me: Onward and upward!