"The Pledge To Succeed"

Okay, this is a hokie idea (and no, I don't mean it came from Virginia Tech). I was inspired by a recent Tweet by Len Kendall at Critical Mass. He said, in effect, that he had heard of another business failure, but he wasn't going to pass it on because the sentiment wouldn't help us out of the recession.

As you know, because you all diligently read every post on my blog, this is very close to my thoughts about "recession buzz phrases." It expresses that sense of "we're not helping by saying any of this."

So here's the thought the two of us worked up: Let's get positive. Let's do an affirmation. Let's make a pledge to succeed. Let's collectively release that breath we've been holding and take control of our destiny again. Because stimulation packages won't help, nor will bravado and confidence from our political leaders.

Only our own confidence will make the difference.

I'm not suggesting reckless behavior, of course. I would never say that positive thinking alone can get us out of our economic struggles. (This is not some kind of Stuart Smalley approach to economic recovery.) But we are prolonging our demise the longer we wait for other to do what we should be doing ourselves.

Here's the deal:

Read our foolish little pledge below. Learn it. Love it. Live it. If you like, even add a comment like "You go!" or "This is stupid, but I'll try anything," or something like that. Then when you're ready, here's how you participate:

Click on the button of your choice at the bottom
If you choose the green button, just send the email
If you choose the red button, there's always Prozac
Right click (or CTRL-click for Macs) on any badge graphic below (Courtesy of Bill Alexy)
Choose "save image as" option and save the image file

PLEASE NOTE: CLICKING ON THE GREEN BUTTON IS NOT AN OPT-IN FOR MARKETING! WE WILL SEND YOU A NICE THANK YOU EMAIL AND WE WILL NEVER SELL YOUR ADDRESS. THIS PLEDGE LIST IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM MY PODCAST COMMUNICATION LIST.

Now take that graphic and use it in your email, on your website, as your twitter avatar or as a cool thing for your friggin' car window for all we care. Just tell the world that you want everyone to succeed.

Yes, movements are silly like this. And yes, we're all adults and this is childish behavior. But movements are surprisingly effective in spite of the silliness. So let's make this a movement and see what happens. And really, why shouldn't we? The alternative is to get depressed about that next headline. And frankly, that kind of sucks.

I WILL SUCCEED

I will stay informed, but I am done passing along bad economic news.

I will not minimize or trivialize the recession, but I will not be overcome by it.

I will actively try to promote the success of others during the recession.

I will offer free advice and/or help to businesses in need.

I will not claim doomed businesses should be blaming themselves. (Even if I want to.)

I will try to redirect conversations from topics of recession to topics of opportunity.

I will not hold back from calculated opportunities because of recession fear.