WAY 136

Accentuate the Positive

A positive attitude can be the #1 ingredient in your ability to get new customers. As the saying goes: “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most of them do.” Your success in business means that you will not be allowed to pick the people with whom you work, so just make up your mind to make the most of it. It's not who you encounter that will determine your success; it's how you respond to the people you encounter that will make the difference.

ACTION ITEM

Each day, pick three positive things you can talk about. If it's raining, point out how that can help corn grow. If it's cold, point out how that will create jobs, because people may need to buy coats. If the wind's blowing, talk about how that will generate power at the new windmills around the country.

Experienced professionals identify three things you can do when you encounter people who criticize, condemn, or complain:

  1. Beware and monitor your own words. Don't get caught up in their negativity. This can create a downward spiral that can destroy both of you.
  2. Don't chime in and comment on their negatives, because you will only perpetuate them. Often, these people are just testing you.
  3. When appropriate, change the subject to something positive. Get them in an upbeat mood, and everyone will be happier.

TAKEAWAY

A real professional never chimes in when
people criticize, condemn, or complain.