Observing Attitude

Attitude is very interesting to observe. We cannot tolerate a bad attitude in others, yet we rarely recognize our own negativity and complaints.

Be aware of and actively reject your pessimistic thoughts.

Turn your pessimistic thoughts into optimism with minor changes in the words.

“I can’t do that” easily becomes “I can do that.” It only takes the removal of an apostrophe and a ‘t’.

Change “that’s way to difficult for me” into “that’s a challenge for me.”  Once again very minor and simple changes make a major difference.

Try replacing “That makes me so mad” to “That makes me glad.”

Do you now have the rhythm? Good. Making changes in your attitude are signs of effective self-leadership.

Actively reject pessimism and become an optimist. Declare that you have zero tolerance for negativity and for those self-fulfilling prophecies of doubt. And mean it!

Dispelling the Myth

Where is the one place you almost expect to find pessimistic, disgruntled, unhappy, negative employees? Did you answer, the post office? Probably most of you did. That’s the impression we’ve been given.

It's time to dispel that myth.

The post office we frequent actually has a happy, optimistic postal clerk! He says he loves his job and looks forward to being there every day. Imagine that!  He smiles and enjoys his job, on his feet, dealing with people, day in and day out.

He also shares that before he went to work for the USPS, he worked at a collection agency. He even loved that job! Just like working at the post office, he went to that work every day happy to be there and enjoying his work. Now, imagine that!

Take away the imagining, one thing I know about this particular postal clerk is that when I go to the post office, I mentally keep my fingers crossed that the line I’m standing in will move in sync with my wishes so that when I get to the front of it, I hear him say, “next in line, please.”  When that happens, I’m a happy customer!

Consider the job he now has and the previous one he mentioned, are they jobs that by virtue of the type of work you would expect cause people to be happy and optimistic?  It’s doubtful. However, this man chooses to be happy about his work no matter what it is or where it is.

Everyone makes choices. The most important choice in our lives is to be optimistic, happy and upbeat about what we are doing. And if you are not, decide to change that. Decide. Think. Become! It really is your choice! If you think you can’t, consider the example of the postal clerk. He does it! You can too!

Nothing Is Impossible

Nothing is impossible. Consider those words. What comes to mind when you read or say them? Using the two words, nothing and impossible, by themselves conjures up negative thoughts, a negative approach or negative admonishment. 

Nothing means empty, a void, inactivity, nothing (note the use of the word again) positive. Impossible implies something that just can’t be done. Don’t even try.  No way, no how! Those thoughts certainly fit into the negative category.

Bring them together with the passive verb, “is” in between: Nothing is impossible.

Together, the statement implies everything is possible. Anything can be done, accomplished, finished, etc., etc. As a result, implied unquestionable optimism. 

Doesn’t take much to put together the right combination of words, even those that are perceived to be negative, in order to turn something negative into something positive.

Now, that’s optimism.

Choose a path paved with positive words and an optimistic outlook. It’s easier than you think. After all nothing is impossible.

Optimism and Positivity

Steve Farber, author and speaker, says that  “Trust, Love, and Humanity are hardcore business principles.” My hat’s off to you Steve. We need more leaders in this world who believe like you do. More people need to be proponents of these most important, yet less exhibited, leadership principles.

According to Strengths Finder, I’m a Maximizer. So naturally I want to take this one step, or maybe two steps, further. Let’s add  optimism and positivity to that list of hardcore business principles and they become hardcore leadership principles.

Without doubt. Without second guessing. Without quibbling! Let’s just do it!

Consider yourself…

Do you willingly follow someone who is negative and looks at the world through skeptical glasses?

Do you want to be led by someone who doesn’t trust you or anyone else for that matter; someone who gives the impression of having no concern for others?

These descriptions may sound extreme and they are extreme but not uncommon. Any degree of these can have a negative impact on you and others.

Consider yourself from another perspective…

How do you feel about following someone who is optimistic and envisions positive possibilities?

Do you want to be led by someone who believes in you, trusts you and cares for you and for others?

I’m positive your answer was “yes” to both of those last questions. Other people would as well. Now you know what to do and how to do it. You know how to treat others in order for them to follow you willingly, productively and happily.

So just do it!

From Optimist to Pessimist and Back Again!

From Optimist to Pessimist and Back Again

All Because of an Email

  

You click on an email (one of dozens in your inbox), glance through it and immediately it generates a negative response. You want to set that person straight; correct that perception; and get to the bottom of the issue. You immediately begin a reply. Your emotions rule!  Stop! Look! And think!

Maintain your optimistic attitude! Think smart. Be wise.  

           Write your response, however don’t send it. Keep it as a draft. Later, after you've given it rational thought,  review and edit the draft to remove any reactionary comments. Re-write it from a calm, considerate, thoughtful and positive position.

Wait before you reply.  Read it again. What was it about the message that brought out your negative reaction? Email messages can be misinterpreted so very easily. Generally they are flat and dry. There are no voice inflections or facial expressions that express the tone of the message. 

Read it again from a different attitude before you reply. Before reading it the second time, consider what was it that brought out your reaction?  Is your reaction to it warranted?

           Consider the intent of the sender. Did the writer of the message intend for you to react negatively? If so, why? Regardless of the purpose of the writer, your response reflects you. Keep your words in control. Maintain objectivity and dignity. Even if the intent of the sender was negative, you maintain control of how it affects you. You remain positive!

Remember: Email messages are permanent. They can appear to take on a life of their own and end up in any number of inboxes. In the highly technical world, even after deleted, they can be resurrected.

Always remain positive, optimistic and in charge of your responses. Correct only any errors and misunderstandings indicated in the message. Do that with finesse. Keep any opinions to yourself.

P.S. Using all capital letters in an email message is perceived by the receiver as being inflammatory, whether you do it accidentally or without thinking. Consider all caps as being work of a pessimist. Receiving a message written in all capital letters, give the sender credit. Maybe that person did it accidentally or does not realize the negative impact that causes.

What Day Is It?

What Day Is It?

“What day is it?”

“It’s today,” squealed Piglet.

“My favorite day, “ said Pooh

From Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh is such an optimist. And to the optimist, every day is a great day – a favorite day. To the pessimist, not one day out of 365 is a good one, much less a great one. And there are no favorites.

When you first open your eyes in the morning, what goes through your mind? Are you dreading the day or are you thinking about all the glorious possibilities the day will bring?

My mother, the supreme optimist, greeted every day with a smile in her heart and a song that accompanied the smile. As a child I would begrudgingly drag out of bed in the mornings. I was fortunate, however, because I would hear my mother’s voice coming from the kitchen downstairs. She would sing as she prepared breakfast. I don’t remember what songs she chose to sing. That wasn’t important. The singing was important. It is only as an adult that I am in wonder of those memories and I often think about how truly marvelous it was that she possessed such a positive attitude and how lucky I was to wake up to her singing.

How we start our days influences how our days go. How do you want your days to go?  Do you want a good day? Start with positive thoughts. Do you want a great day? Start by singing, it doesn’t matter what your voice is like or what song you sing. You don’t have to be a Beyonce, a Justin Bieber or a Justin Timberlake. Just sing.  

Every day will be your favorite.