"Three Best Things"
Here is a brief synopsis of the following article (726 words):
"Three Best Things" by Gary Lockwood When my sons were very
young, I taught them a game. In turn, that game taught me a
valuable lesson that still works for me today.
Play the game and you will restore your confidence and your
sense of well-being. Start today and gain a new perspective, a
higher energy level and increased creativity.
If you use the article below, please let me know. Thanks.
SUCCESS to You... Gary Lockwood
P.S. I have posted a dozen or more articles for you at my
website. Feel free to click on over to
http://www.bizsuccess.com/articles
__________________________________
"Three Best Things"
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"?