Yet another story about how UK customer optimism ‘increases’ hits the headlines. This is according to the Nationwide Consumer Confidence index.  Actually, its a pretty good tool.  Check it out.  There’s even a confidence barometer.  But what does all this talk of ‘optimism’ actually mean in this context?

I’ve blogged before about these strange use of words in Cutting the Crap of Recession-Speak Part 1 and Part 2.  Luckily enough, I train businesspeople in the skill and strategy of optimism as an aspect of Emotional Intelligence.  So I can say a few things about it.

Optimism is properly defined in terms of how you explain to yourself your failures (‘explanatory style’) to equip you to cope with trouble. For optimists, failure this time is due to something that can be changed. While for pessimists, failure is due to a lasting characteristic that they are helpless to change.

A pessimistic interpretation of the recession would be: it is permanent, it is pervasive, and it in primary or intrinsic.  An optimistic interpretation of the same economic facts is: it will pass, it is partial, and the problem is only a matter of altering performance.  (Sorry of the alliteration.  It’s an occupational hazard.)

So how does our current recession match up to these criteria?  Is there warrant for optimism?

1. No-one thinks the recession is here to stay; it’s just a matter of when it will end.  However, some seem to think that recessions will always be with us, as part of the economic cycle.  So they are permanent in that sense.
2. I think that there is consensus that only certain sectors are being hit, or at least, hit more than others.  For instance, the financial sector and the construction industry seem to have born the brunt.  But there is a trickle-down effect.  Now the manufacturing industry is feeling the nip.  I doubt whether any sector will escape entirely.
3. People realise that our economic behaviours will have to change as a result of the recession.  Different actions will prevent current problems from reoccurring.  But what are those actions?  The left cry for greater financial regulations, while the right for public-sector slashing.  Are the two compatible?  I think not; others disagree.  No-one knows.

In each case, there is cause for hope, but not for certainty.  While we have escaped defeat, victory is still illusive.  If this blog were a Hollywood film, it would now end with the words, ‘Just like life’.  Instead, I’ll answer the question set by the title with another question.  Whose economy are we talking about?

Just like my life, my economy is up to me.  I’m determined to make it work.  What you do with yours is up to you.

Image credit: Comrade S.