A Glass Full Of Attitude

John C. Maxwell wrote, "do you feel the world is treating you well? If your attitude toward the world is excellent, you will receive excellent results. If you feel so-so about the world, your response from that world will be average. Feel badly about your world and you will seem to have only negative feedback from life."

Often I repeat myself in these articles but find that we have to remind ourselves constantly. How your life rolls out before you is a direct reflection of how you view the world. Attitude is determined by you and is influenced by many factors. If you view the world in a negative manner, chances are it will be a negative world you end up living in. But view the world in a positive light and the balance will tilt towards better things happening to you.

The old axiom that asks if the glass is half full or half empty misses the point of attitude. A positive attitude doesn't try to answer that question. What it trys to do is figure out how to fill the glass even further. It isn't about them (half full) versus those (half empty), it simply looks for a way to improve the situation.

Don't live life half empty, nor live it half full - live to fill it everyday.

An Attitude Filled With Light

When you step out of the darkness of a poor attitude, the light around you becomes brighter. It is similar to what people say about a woman that is pregnant. She carries a glow of wonder and life around her. You can notice it, you can feel it when you are near. This same thing occurs around those that choose the better side of life.

It is with that glow you will see that people are attracted to light, not to darkness. There will of course be curiousity to peek into that darkness. But darkness can not sustain you. Think of isolation methods in which a prisoner is placed alone and in a room without light. After varying amounts of time you will weaken. A sliver of light shining through a crack becomes the hope.

Light becomes the thing you gravitate towards, the one thing that provides warmth and happiness. It draws you out and allows you to see so much better. Options and decisions will become much more clear. With this your attitude will brighten as well and a glow will begin to develop around you.

You will begin to notice that others will be drawn to that glow, that light that is developing around you. Let the light flow through you and out to others. They will gain from your great attitude as it grows. You will pull further and further from the darkness of a poor attitude. Life will become clear. Find a candle to break the darkness.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Being Positive About Everything

In his book titled, 'You The Leader', Phil Pringle says that "...positive attitude is everything. It is vital to see the upside of everything." The book is about leadership and attitude from a theological view but has very relevant applications in the secular world. You can take learning from many different sources and this is one source I find very helpful.

So just how does one do this. We've seen the TV version of the wide-eyed, nothing ever bothers, nicer than thou characters. I basically worry about folks that are that way all of the time. In reality, we all have our down times but the trick is to understand the down time and adjust. To bring ourselves back up to a positive -not ridiculous - level.

By being positive about anything and everything becomes the key to being able to spot opportunity. Being positive about anything and everything becomes a key to being able to brighten the lives of others around you. When you work on your inner self and bring about a positive attitude, then you see more clearly. You see the opportunity that was always there.

A poor attitude blinds us to things that can benefit us. Think of a poor attitude as sitting in darkness. Difficult to see that which is within reach...but I'll talk more about that tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

May everyone have a happy
and joyful Thanksgiving
with family
and friends.











Not sure who the copyrighted comic is from. If anyone knows, please respond with a comment so that I can give credit where it is due.

Motivate Yourself Into Greatness

When you decide to go beyond the expected, you come to the realization that to do so it takes self motivation. A realization that you need to have your own attitudes in order which will allow you to go beyond the expected. The great thing about it is that you can do it. The power to have a great attitude and turn that into great service to others in within all of us.

You wonder, wait a minute, I'm not in customer service. Some articles back I talked about our lives actually being a series of opportunities to serve others. Mahatma Gandhi said, "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." You do many little things each day that is in service to others.

Once you motivate yourself, you work to motivate others. It takes work at first, but it eventually comes naturally. You keep moving yourself towards this goal. Taking on motivating others will increase your own motivation. Its an aspect that when you do good for others, it generates a natural good feeling within yourself. That can be very motivating for you and do wonders for your own attitude.

It will feed upon itself much like negativity can feed upon itself. Negativity is much more destructive and is much easier to achieve. This is why having a great attitude and the ability to motivate others isn't easy. Negativity is all of those rocks in your wagon.

But once you get a positive vibe moving, it begins to pick up speed and feed upon itself. It begins to build and grow, blocking out the negative things from having as large of an effect. Pretty soon great things start happening to you and those around you. Consider yourself on a road to better and brighter things.

Rise Above Customer Expectations

I'm back in the country and will get back onto a regular schedule of articles. My time spent in Italy and Israel was very productive but I was unable to keep up with my writing. It comes with the territory when one is involved in customer service.

There are things one can do that transcend language or even culture. It is accomplished by simply going beyond what others expectations are. It is easy to have an attitude that you must do only the job required of you. That can work and many people do it on a daily basis. Things get done, issues are corrected and lives go on. Yet doing so, we remain the same. There is no advancing of our lives, no betterment of those around us.

Doing things beyond expectations should be your calling in all that you do. Much like having a positive attitude and spreading it on, we must also do the extra things. If I only provide the minimum required when working with a customer, they may be satisfied. Going beyond the expected sends a message. It says I'm willing to do more for them. Willing to keep and earn additional business from them.

Have you ever been to the mechanics shop with some car affliction that will test your pocket book and nerves? It is a trip that most of us dread and simply wish to avoid if at all possible. There are some mechanics that would simply correct the problem, charge you a price and you are on your way. Satisfied that it was fixed and potentially money left for a cup of coffee, you head for home.

What of those mechanics that step out in a manner that exceeds your expectation. The same problem is fixed, the same price is paid, but you notice more. A seat cover and floor mat was used to keep grease and dirt from the interior. Maybe they washed the vehicle once completed and a spritz of air freshener inside. Could be they topped off the fluids for you and did it all with a smile and great attitude.

Once again, satisfied that it was fixed and maybe enough money for a cup of coffee you head for home. But something is different this time, a bigger smile on your face, a better feeling inside that it was not such a bad experience. Chances are much greater you will return to that same mechanic. Next time it won't be quite as bad when you have to take your car in.

The mechanic knew what many successful business people and successful people know, going beyond wins long term customers. The cost of going that extra step is heavily out weighed by what you will earn. Be bold, go beyond and see the success that can be yours.

Life Is Not Perfect - Get Over It

It has been a few days since my last post and I apologize to all. When on the road my days become greatly filled with activity. Finding the opportunity to sit down and write can be difficult. Being on the road itself can be difficult. I am currently handling a customer situation and all aspects of the situation have to be considered.

A friend, Dean Sweetman said "life is run by imperfect people. You will get offended at some point. So get your own 'stuff' dealt with. It will prepare you to handle this imperfect life." This statement is so true. You will run into things that may frustrate or cause your plans to go a different direction.

How you handle these situations or events is greatly impacted by how you have handled your own 'baggage'. We all have it and we need to figure it out first before we can successfully handle issues outside of our own. The primary thing that effects this will be our own attitude. A great quote from Phil Pringle is, "the problem is never the problem. The real problem is our attitude toward it."

Life isn't perfect and neither are we. But strive for excellence in your own attitude and life. It will equip you for the bigger and more imperfect world around us.

First Impressions

When you have the chance to deal with people, we instinctively draw lasting conclusions based on their appearance, attitude and actions. It can be difficult to move from this opinion once it is established. Many people hold on to this 'first impression' and will allow it to dictate the relationship going forward.

In previous articles, I've mentioned that only you can dictate the way you respond to other people, not them. This 'first impression' is simply an influence on your own attitude. You have to see past and get to know this person. A good friend of mine, Dean Sweetman is quoted as saying, "see people not for who they are, but for what they can become."

This is so true - difficult, but true - in how you should conduct and adjust your own attitude. If you can achieve this, your potential to succeed is enhanced. You may find that these people have great potential that you can unlock. And in unlocking potential in others, you expand your own potential. And guess again, it all starts with a positive attitude.

So don't limit yourself by 'first impressions'. Look for possibilities, look for potential and see that it will impact your life.

Keep Trying

I'm pressed for time today and not able to put anything together. Being on the road usually keeps me busy and I do have a family and bills to pay. So I'll get something out tomorrow and keep up your spirits.

Winston Churchill

From Wikipedia:

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill,
(30 November 1874 - 24 January 1965)

Was an English statesman, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. At various times a soldier, journalist, author and politician, Churchill is generally regarded as one of the most important leaders in British and world history.

A Fight Of Faith In Your Attitude

The act of making a change in your life becomes a fight of your faith. When you decide to step out everything will change. What do you do when others try to put up road blocks of criticism or negativity of what you are trying to accomplish. You stand firm, you keep your faith in what you know is the right thing.

Many people choose to simply stay on the sideline and watch life go by. You have to be the type of person that wants to engage. The type of person to come off the sidelines and enter the game of life. I've watched many a football game in my life and become amused at those that are always on the sidelines.

Think of an aggressive play that ends up out of bounds. The offensive player makes a long play and is tackled out of bounds by the defensive player. Always you'll have a sideline sitter (in this case the defense) talking trash to the offensive player who was just tackled. It is easy to be loud and vocal when you have no stake in the actual play. Put those words and ideas to use - come into the game of life and make a difference.

When you come out though...remember there will be a fight. Be prepared for it because it will be easy at first. But be assured that there will be those that wish to bring you down, that will try to turn your good work to into something bad. Stick to your belief, stay to your faith, remain positive through out. You will succeed, you will come through in the final analysis.

"Always there will be, along the sidelines of life, inferior souls who throw mud at those whose attainments they do not quite understand. The man who really accomplishes doesn't pay attention to such detractors. If he did, he'd be on their level. He keeps an eye singled on the higher goal--and the mud never touches him." - Jerome P. Fleishman (The Forbes Book of Business Quotations)

Be a player in the game of life - come out onto the field of play and make a change.

Positive Change By Being A Positive Energized Person

A few days have gone by without much writing. My job has been busy this week and am preparing for a trip overseas. Another chance to put my own thoughts and methods to use in front of customers. It will also be a chance to meet with people of different nationalities. Even when a different language becomes a barrier, you have to find a way to bridge that gap.

It can be nerve wracking at times and seem overwhelming. Similar to what you may be thinking when trying to make change in your own life. It can happen that you are sitting at work wondering what it is you can do different. Work harder, take more classes - get smarter? It was written and where I can't remember right now, but it was advice being given to a new university president. He was told to take care and be nice of your top students, they will one day return and be great professers. But take even greater care of your 'C' students, for they one day will return with a check for millions to build a new facility.

It isn't the smartest that succeed all of the time. It is found that many times that the difference in success is your attitude. "Most of those who succeed in achieving their goals do it by creating an environment for opportunity. They feel that they are entitled to go after what they want in life... They open themselves to positive change by becoming positive, energized people. They don't limit themselves with a poor self-image or a negative attitude. They get rid of negative baggage that holds them back. They believe in themselves, giving others cause to believe in them." - Stedman Graham, (You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan For Success)

So it doesn't take being the smartest one with the highest grades. You don't have to have the huge college degree - it helps though - but having all of these things is nothing without attitude. So keep trying, go that extra amount and see what happens. Good things can only come your way.

It may be a day or two in between while I'm gone...but stick with me. Together we'll get your life moving towards its potential.