History reveals that surviving a recession is possible but the true winners are those that thrive after one.

Financial woes don’t have to be your foe

Companies had no idea that COVID-19 would impact them the way it did, many were expecting a mild slump even a week before the stay at home orders. Now it’s clear that the hardest hit industries will also have to adapt to the recession coming out of the other side of the pandemic.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

– Albert Einstein

Recessions, crises, depressions, fallouts, downturns—whatever you call them, they are nothing new. Out of these fairly consistent market lows, some extraordinary companies, and unique innovations have emerged. Uber and Slack were founded during the last recession! Over the past 200 years, companies have innovated and invented new products or revolutionary ideas during downturns, turning the fear of the problem into the fuel that drives the solution.

Here are 5 ways that we as companies can focus on turning fear into fuel

Your Dreams: Set goals high—Get out of your own way

Has a little voice inside your head ever told you that you’re not really capable of success? That sometimes nagging self-doubt can lead you to self-sabotage your dreams in order to live up to your own diminished expectations of who you really are. Don’t listen to your fear. Fear-based thoughts will derail you unless you develop awareness of your negativity and practice talking back to that voice in your head. Acknowledge your fear and counter with empowering thoughts and words. If you can maintain a positive focus on achieving your goals, you can make your dreams come true.

The Positive: Find all the things that your organization is doing well

In his book, The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama explores training the human outlook to alter perception. He explains that if the purpose of life is happiness, your happiness is determined more by your state of mind than by your external conditions, circumstances, or events. Happiness can be achieved if you train your heart and mind to always focus on what’s right with your world.

What You Can Influence: Create a plan for making necessary changes

If you’re one of the millions of small businesses still chugging away at creating revenue despite the effects of a global pandemic and national lockdown, you’ve most likely had to punt to keep your doors open.  You can’t change the circumstances this unprecedented economic crisis has created, but you can influence how you respond. From tele-everything to good old fashioned home delivery, the silver lining of 2020 will be how smart Americans creatively adapted their business models to stay in business. 

The Future: Move in a forward direction, moving better not back

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. Focusing on your future, not your past, will free you from the mistakes of yesterday. Remember that your mistakes are gifts if you learn the lessons they teach and move on.

Gratitude: Find those you need to thank and do so

There is always something to be thankful for.  Look for chances to say thank you even if it is for the simplest of things. Begin training yourself by mindfully practicing gratitude on a daily basis. Wiser words were never spoken when Eckhart Tolle told us, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”

To read more about turning your fear into fuel, go to: https://www.success.com/john-addison-5-ways-to-turn-your-fear-into-fuel

Even companies who have weathered past crises, who innovated during past market crashes and emerged as market leaders, can do it again. We all can rise from a catastrophe stronger, smarter and more powerful, but it will likely require shifts, tweaks, and pivots.

Born during downturns

Some of today’s biggest, best-known companies and iconic products got their starts during past U.S. recessions.

recession timeline

Ready…Set…Grow!

Companies ready to make their mark on this decade, wanting to grow despite the challenges, can turn the disaster that is 2020 into an opportunity and we can help. Murie Design Group has the skill sets to help businesses, from new start-ups to older established organizations, identify what they need to not just survive, but thrive.

From unique packaging design to visually compelling infographics, award-winning creative to catch-their-attention copy, out-of-the-box marketing strategies to viral crowdfunding campaigns, we provide customized graphic design and marketing solutions through a combination of innovative thinking, compelling content, creative design and active listening.

“Give ordinary people the right tools and they will design and build the most extraordinary things.”

– Neil Gershenfeld, MIT professor

An asset to any size organization from startup through enterprise level, we have extremely versatile skill sets, experience and talents. Having the right tools at the right time can make all the difference to your outcome. Get an entire toolbox of options to choose from to help you exceed your own goals and expectations. Visit us at www.murie.com!