Does the American (Australian and others) concept of “thinking positive” really make things better?

David Bloch, MD of the Brightwater Group comments:

Well, why don't we try it ourselves?!

I think the one thing one has to add is that thinking positive is not enough. In fact, it is just the icing on the cake because hard work, sound economic policies are obviously the most important things. You can't just sit around, hum to yourself and think positive and everything will be fine! The saying 'the Lord helps those who help themselves' comes to mind, but let's be absolutely clear, combining hard work and sound economics with some hope will get us through quicker and with less pain.

For those of you who want hope (73% at least) I offer you the following recent information:

Dow Jones over 9000 again with ISEQ rising daily.

EU applauds Ireland for taking affirmative action on economy.

Ireland successfully raised billions to stabilise economy.

Commodity prices rise as Asian economies improve - Singapore and Australia out of recession. China expecting 8% growth etc

Better than expected earnings in Ireland and abroad.

World stock markets rise as appetite for risk returns.

In 2009, Ireland has the 2nd highest Trade surplus in the EU (€12.7 billion by April and expected to rise further).

Only 8000 new houses still available in Dublin as Mark Fitzgerald of Sherry Fitzgerald claims the market has bottomed out NB. It's in Dublin that the first pick-up will be seen.

Brightwater has taken in more jobs over the last month than it has all year (about 50% up).

For the good news on jobs, please go to our Good News Corner, but in short the rate of decline has definitely receded with many new jobs being created across many industries. The most exciting being Irish communications company Intune which is expecting to create an additional 30,000 jobs over the next decade through its fibre optic platform, which uses laser technology.