What a contrast between Branson's realistic-but-optimistic outlook and the dire tone of the interviewer. Many of the questions were focused on failure and pessimism:

  "How gloomy should British businesspeople be?"
  "How worried should the world's charities be..."
  "There is a tremendous amount of gloom here..."

I know they were good interview questions and the interviewer did his job well. Yet it's coming from a consciousness of scarcity and fear. I wanted to shake the fellow and say, "Hey, dummy! if you are always looking for bad things, that's what you're going to find! Your attitude in the present creates your future, so watch your thoughts carefully!"

It was not very long ago that my attitude would have been very similar. Now, when I look around, amid the carnage I see much opportunity and potential, especially for new businesses and startups - to create jobs, serve people and create wealth.

I take that attitude shift as a sign of personal progress.