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 fun-est 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"?
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