I always thought that the new year was a good time to take stock, restate ambitions and look forward to the future with a positive and energetic attitude.

Having looked at the tabloid (and even the quality) media, not to mention the main TV News channels, all I see is a bleak doom and gloom parade of negativity obviously designed to veer me off my positive and energetic track into a cul-de-sac of depression and hopelessness.

First up is the VAT rise. The wrong tax at the wrong time or the right tax at the right time depending upon which side of the House you are sitting.

Train fare increases  – without a corresponding increase in service quality. The prospect of going back to work and becoming infected with flu by virus ridden co-workers. The further threat of disease and plagues of vermin from the piles of rubbish uncollected for over a month because refuse collection operatives wouldn’t venture out in snow. Hordes of feral NEETS and NEDS laying siege to housing estates. And on top of that it is going to snow again and the whole country will doubtless grind to a halt because the UK is so badly prepared for winter weather.

So I think it is time to bin the newspapers and turn off the TV and get back to reality. Yes things are quite tough at the moment, but this shouldn’t deter us from having ambitions, taking stock, and moving forward on our goals.

Let’s all have a great 2011 – despite what the bloody media are saying!