It happened again. It always happens. Just when I think maybe — just maybe — the tide is going to shift in our favor, we’re dealt another crushing blow.

I’m speaking, of course, of the elimination of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals last week.

Cleveland had everything going for it: The best record in the NBA, the league MVP (LeBron James), the Coach of the Year (Mike Brown) and first- and second-round sweeps of the Pistons and the Hawks. Everything seemed primed for an NBA Championship.

Then, Orlando stepped in and reminded the Cavaliers they were from Cleveland and they lost. Done. Eliminated. Yep, the Cavaliers are from Cleveland. The curse lives on!

To those of you unfamiliar with Cleveland sports — and the anguish continually suffered by its fans — this city hasn’t won a major sports title since 1964 when the Browns won the NFL Championship.

Cleveland sports teams have suffered some of the most infamous failures — The Catch, Red Right 88, The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot and The Error — all on the brink of glory, only to be lost in the most dramatic of fashions (two years ago, the Cavaliers made it to their first-ever NBA Finals, only to be swept by the Spurs — The Sweep).

The Indians, who last won the World Series in 1948, alternate between great seasons that end in disappointing fashion and miserable seasons (this year appears to be a miserable one).

The Browns — my beloved Browns — have been atrocious since their return to the league in 1999. Currently, they’re beginning minicamps and organized team activities under their fifth head coach in 10 years, and all signs point to another miserable year.

And yet, I can’t help but feel just a little bit optimistic. Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in all the negativity — talk to me a few months ago about the Browns and I would have had a hard time thinking of any positive things to say.

Every day, we face sizable obstacles that threaten our businesses and livelyhoods. Sure, we can get upset, frustrated or even mad about these negatives, but it doesn’t really help. Does it?

Focusing on negatives doesn’t make us feel any better about what the future holds for your business. In fact, taking such a stance is a really unhealthy way to go through life. Negativity breeds negativity — leading to poor team performance and, often, ultimately to quitting and total failure.

For instance, are you letting a lackluster termite season get you down, or are you taking full advantage of the enormous opportunity that accompanies the resurgence of bed bugs?

We all have disappointments in our business lives. That’s life. If all we focus on is past negativities, we rob ourselves of the good feelings and myriad lessons we can reap from past successes.

Want to stay positive? It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Just remember:

1. Mistakes happen. It’s what you do with them that counts. Or, as a wise man once said, “Good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is the result of poor judgment.”

2. Every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise. Today’s weakness can become tomorrow’s strength.

3. “There’s always next time” — the battle cry of every die-hard Cleveland fan (and you too, Cubs fans).

Tid Bits:

• How's this for a cool event: This July, Bug Off Pest Control Center in New York is hosting a Business Leadership Cruise featuring Norm Cooper, Dean Stanbridge and Harvey Goldglantz — and I'll be in attendance as well. This promises to be a fun and valuable seminar so, if you're in the area, consider going.

• Did I mention you can now follow us on Twitter? It's true — Pest Management Professional magazine is now on Twitter. Follow us @PMPmagazine.

• While you're becoming a follower on Twitter and you're doing the whole social networking thing, don't forget about Facebook. In addition to PMP Presents: The Forum, you can now become a fan of Pest Management Professional magazine. Check it out here.

You can reach Grasso, managing editor of Pest Management Professional, by e-mailing pgrasso@questex.com. Be sure to check out his blog at www.mypmp.net/PetesBlog.