Focus on the Positive
Even when the news is good the economists and media find a way to spin it negatively. Take a look at the headline for this article published by PBN today:
“New Hawaii Economic Forecast Shows Less Decline”
Why can’t the same article be stated this way?
“New Hawaii Economic Forecast Shows Signs of Recovery”
Reading on, the article says, “University of Hawaii economists are forecasting smaller-than-expected declines in visitor arrivals and income this year followed by modest growth next year.” It’s the words “decline” and “modest” that take the shine off of the good news.The article goes on to say, “But they warn that it won’t be a return to business as usual for the state for some time. Hawaii’s economy will continue to shed jobs over the next six months and it will take more than two years for personal income to return to 2007 levels, according to the quarterly forecast released today by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.”
Well, the last forcast wasn’t accurate; maybe this one won’t be either. Attitudes and belief are key factors in success and it would be so nice if we could read more “good news.” If you haven’t heard any good news lately, call me, I have a lot of it to tell you.
The ending statement in this article reads; “The number of visitors from Japan is forecast to fall by 4.1 percent this year, far less than the 13.8 percent drop predicted in June.” There’s the real story. It would be so cool to see the headline, “Pessimistic Forcast in June Was Way off - Japanese Visitor Numbers are on the Increase.”
The problem with headlines is that many people do not read beyond them, or “into” them. Now is the time to express optimism and courage.

“$8.01″
I ordered a bowl of veggie chile and brown rice at lunch today and it came to $8.01. I asked the clerk if he could break a $50 and he nodded that he could. As I was thinking about dropping my 99 cent “change” into the tip jar in front of me, he asked, “Do you have a penny?” I checked my pocket and said, “No, sorry.” What do you think he did next? Right; he handed me $42 in change. I wasn’t sure if he was doing me a favor, slighting the store, or was just plain too lazy to count out the 99 cents. What do you think his motive was? What do you think I did?

UPDATE:
Okay; here’s what happened. I did not leave a tip because I considered his move to be stupid, as he made it difficult for me to tip anything less than a dollar, which was a bit high on an $8 tab. I am a big tipper, but his move showed me that he wasn’t interested in the tip and was willing to short the register by a penny to avoid counting out the 99 cents to me. Even asking me for the penny was dumb if the tip jar in front of him had any meaning to him and his co-workers.

Don’t Take it for Granted
As a person who NEVER gets sick I tend to take my good health for granted. When sick people say, “Stay away” I say, “Give me a kiss, I’m immune.” While watching TV the other night someone (I don’t remember who) was talking about the pain associated with throwing up. I commented, “I honestly cannot remember the last time I threw up.” Well, I do now! Watch out for the power of words. I spent the next 24 hours going between the bed and the bathroom. I know it was some sort of food poisoning, but I still haven’t figured out what it was. After all, I’m a vegan and don’t eat the stuff that normally poisons people.
What I took from this experience was a newfound appreciation for feeling good and added empathy for those that are ill. I intend to eat less, drink more water and excercise more. It would be a real shame to take a journey throgh hell without learning something.

“Maui Hotel Numbers Low Again”
The sub Headline said, “64% Occupancy, $238 Average Room Rate.” If you read further down into the article (most won’t) you see that “statewide occupancy” was more like 70%. When I see those percentages I always think, “% of how many rooms?”
I checked into The Westin Maui on Wednesday afternoon (9/9) and told the front desk clerk that I prefer the Beach Tower. She said, “They may all be gone, I’ll check.” Upon checking, she told me that room 470 was the last available room in that tower. I took it. I then asked her what the hotel occupancy rate is, and she said, “The high 90’s.” On my flight back to Oahu today I sat next to Michael Troy, Director of Advertising and Promotions for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He confirmed that The Westin Maui is 98% full. I asked him how many rooms in the hotel and he said, “700 plus.” That adds up to 630 full rooms, and I can assure you they are a lot more than $238.
The media would be doing everyone in Hawaii a big favor if they would make the good news the headlines.

What Recession?!?
This story in Sunday’s Honolulu Advertiser put a smile on my face. I hope it does yours as well. It matters not if you use Apple or PC you cannot ignore the success of The Apple Store near you. The article said, “Apple increased revenue at its stores to $3 billion for the first six months of the year, 2.5 percent more than in the same period last year.”
As many retailers look for ways to deal with the “media’s recession,” some are cut, cut cutting on things until they eventually cut their own throats. Oh No!

DOA
Some are cutting by closing stores; Apple is opening new ones. To quote; “New store openings have helped increase Apple’s sales. Ron Johnson, Apple’s retail chief, said by phone that the company was so thrilled with the performance of its three Manhattan operations that it will open a fourth on the Upper West Side soon.” Oh Yeah!

Staffing
Another popular cut is in staffing. I hear, “We cannot afford to have as many people on the floor as in the past.” If you are of that belief, read this from the article: “Charlie Wolf, an analyst who covers Apple at Needham & Co. in New York credits the stores for being as much about service as shopping. He said that Apple overstaffs its outlets so that customers get help quickly.” Oh Yeah!

“Charge!”
If there was ever a time to be bullish it’s now. As the meek head for cover you can run them over with your optimism. “Do what others won’t and you will go where they don’t.” I said that.