My two sons, Dan and Doug, were five and
six years old.
On their fist day of school, we started a new game. At dinner that
evening, I asked, "Boys, what was the funniest thing you did
today"?
Watching their response, I could tell what they were thinking.
"Oh-Oh; Daddy's on a new kick again". Regardless, Doug and Dan
each told of something fun and interesting they did that day. I
contributed by relating to them something weird and funny that had
happened at my office that day (something weird was happening at my office
almost every day, it seems).
We laughed at each other's stories and went on to enjoy a delightful
dinner together.
The next evening, I again asked them, "Boys, what was the fun-est
thing you did today"? This time, they each had one ready to tell. And
I once again told them about something weird and funny that had happened
at my office that day. As the first evening, we laughed and had a good
time with this.
Each evening at dinner, I asked the same question. By the end of the first
week, the boys could see that this was going to be a regular thing. They
came to the dinner table already knowing what their evening's story would
be.
In the weeks to follow, Doug and Dan each had at least one fun thing to
tell and sometimes two or three. They even competed to see who had the
fun-est story. Dan would say, "I want to go first. My story is better
than Doug's".
After a while, it almost seemed that these boys were making fun things
happen during the day, just so they could tell about it at dinner. We
laughed a lot and enjoyed each story.
Where was their focus? That's right; on the positive things that were
going on with them. During this time of their lives, do you suppose that
Dan and Doug had any unpleasant things happening to them or around them?
Of course they did! We all have negative events and negative people in our
lives.
I just didn't want the negatives to be their primary focus. I wanted my
sons to see past the unpleasantness around them and experience the
positive.
How many times do you end your day stewing about?
- The heavy traffic
- The report that didn't get finished
- People who haven't returned your calls
- Deals that are dragging on
- The computer's not working correctly
- And on, and on, and on.
I am not suggesting that you ignore the
challenges in your life. I AM suggesting that you just not dwell there.
Successful entrepreneurs develop their positive attitudes because they
feed on progress.
At the end of each day, instead of recounting all the difficulties and all
that remains undone, write your accomplishments. Write the three most
positive, interesting things that happened to you this day (the fun-est
things). You can literally end each day on a positive note by jotting down
the three best things that happened this day.
These may be things that happened to you, people around you, events that
just felt good to you, or just a sunny day. Some of the most rewarding
things to capture are your own actions. Often, there is no one around to
acknowledge your achievements, especially those little ones that happen in
the course of the day. By focusing a few minutes on your accomplishments,
you give yourself a little pat on the back and recognize progress, even
when small.
Having a positive attitude toward your business and toward life in general
may be one of the most important characteristics of success- ful people.
In my years of experience as a Business Coach, I have observed many
successful entrepreneurs. With very few exceptions, those who are
successful and happy have developed and maintained a positive outlook.
A positive attitude is not accidental. Successful entrepreneurs know how
to create a positive attitude for themselves. They don't just wait for it
to happen.
Start today. Write down or tell someone about the three best things that
happened today. This recognition of the positive things in your life will
restore your confidence and your sense of well-being. You will likely gain
a new perspective, a higher energy level and increased creativity.
Start now. "What was the fun-est thing *you* did today"?
