We are quick to complain and read about poor service, quality, and complaints about service personnel. However, we fail to compliment and recognize the excellent service we get most of the time. I have several service personnel who joke with me, help me, point to special items and are always pleasant. Many even kid around to lighten the experience for all of us. For example, the “F” word in the right context as George Carlin has said can be a great stress reliever.
We always complain about weather but seldom compliment it and ensure to take advantage. Even the rainiest U.S. cities only get about 100 days of rain a year which leaves about 2/3 of the year to do great things.
I am always surprised how many great meals I get. For example, many medium-priced restaurants serve really great food. For example, in New York I argue you can test restaurants because the food and service are generally so good. We should thank and compliment these people more often.
While there was lots of talk about election problems, most elections went smoothly, and fairly with minimal waits.
As a business consultant, I constantly hear stories, read advice, and see comments focused on worries, concerns, and caution. While thinking through strategies and carefully planning your approach are important, the fuel that brings an idea to life are passion and positivity.
If you need a little boost finding your passion and positivity (some days are harder than others), here are some reminders to keep you on track:
- Stop focusing on the negative. Positive thinking is vital. To really have a good chance at success, one needs a balance between reality, paranoia, action, and positive thinking.
- Positive thinking does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring negatives. Instead, it involves making the most of the potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light.
- Create a positive culture. Say please, thank you, and demonstrate you care about people. Show support with praise and encouragement.
- Stay grounded. Encourage open communication, a sense of realism, and focus on problem solving. Be sure to constantly assess your situation. Develop expert support and, when appropriate, have discussions with outside and inside colleagues. There are always ways to improve. So, be open to new ideas and suggestions.
- Be flexible. Because change is inevitable changes, and your customers’ lifestyles change by the nano-second, you need to be able to pivot. By “expecting” that your market can change from year to year, you are being proactive in your thinking, and can create flexible plans to adapt to these changes.
- Have fun. Finding ways to incorporate fun helps you tap into your passion and positivity. It can also reduce stress, boost morale, and fosters positivity.
Passion and positivity are great drivers of success. When you enjoy doing something, the effort you put into it feels more fulfilling. And while you may not be passionate about doing some tasks like cleaning dog poop you may make the less-fun tasks more bearable. It’s all about mindset. So, set your worries aside, keep your passion and positivity at the forefront, continue working hard, and trust that you’re headed for greatness.
Related: Are You Optimistic, Pessimistic, or Realistic? And How That Impacts Your Business