All this negativity is beginning to paralyze people. People are just afraid to do anything. It’s like we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop on this crazy economy. Here are 5 things you can do today to change the mood, improve the attitudes of the people you come in contact with and start to see opportunities instead of negativity.

1.  Start coming to work 30 minutes before everybody else and read one chapter of a good business book. Suggested Reading: Blue Ocean Strategy, Rebel Rules, From Good to Great, Groundswell, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Start your day off with possibilities not barriers. Challenge yourself to find at least one useable idea per day. Write that idea down.
2. When you pass fellow employees in the hall, instead of the cursory nod ask: Hey, let me tell you what I just read. Tell them what you learned, ask them what they think and listen.
3. End your day with 30 minutes of calling customers you haven’t talked to in the last 60 days and asking what your company can do to help them thrive in this economy? They’ve had a hard day of people asking them to do things. You will end their day with an offer to help them.
4. Say please and thank you to everyone for everything.
5. Instead of walking around with your head down, look up and notice things. Challenge yourself to think of something nice to say to everyone you pass by. “Mary, you look great today.” “ Sam, I loved your email yesterday.” “Karen, great work on the Smith project.” “Herb, there’s that smile that always brightens my day.” When you really get good at this you can start saying nice things to people you don’t even know. “Wow, I love those shoes. They’re great.” “You look like you are out to conquer the world today. I hope you do.” Etc.

You’ll be amazed how good you will feel and how contagious that feeling is.