Sometimes this blog takes on a negative tone. Sometimes it has no choice. The entrepreneur, more than anyone, must be realistic about the difficulties we face.

The predictions of recession made in this blog, among many other places, are proving only too accurate, and it would be a foolish entrepreneur who ignored that. There are also many other potential threats and difficulties for which we must be ready if we are to stay in business.

Yet, from time to time, we must pause to put that negativity in context – because, as entrepreneurs, we are in fact generally positive about the world, about business, and about our ability to improve our own lives.

If we were not essentially optimistic, we could not be entrepreneurs.

So, if it is hard to see through the gloom on a grey Monday morning, here are just a few reasons to remind us of the potential implicit in the observation of successful entrepreneur Scarlett O’Hara that “Tomorrow is another day” :

1   All the setbacks and threats should not obscure the fact that the global political consensus is still broadly in favour of ever-increasing free trade

2   The rate of technological progress continues to exceed all but the most fantastic predictions

3   Whatever the result of the US Presidential Election, there will at least be a result, which should end much of the current political and economic uncertainty

4   Although property prices have long been overdue for a significant readjustment, property remains a sound investment given the growing world population

5   The perennial optimism of the US consumer is the foundation of the world’s most enduring enterprise culture, and most Americans, although worried about 2008, are positive about 2009

6   Above all, we are entrepreneurs – is that not reason in itself to be happy?