A number of my columns have been devoted to actions that will improve productivity of small businesses. However, perhaps that is just “frosting on the cake” for the “cake” is the person running the business.
What about his or her personal development to enable them to be receptive to new ideas and methods to increase sales? It also occurred to me that readership of the Sun Newspaper is not limited to business owners.
Many, many thousands of individuals are avid readers of our local paper so, today, this column is for everyone. Just another way the Chamber seeks to serve the entire Seal Beach, and beyond, community.
One of the foremost “gurus” of self-improvement is Chris Widener, an internationally renowned expert in personal/leadership development. Subscribing to his e-mail newsletter, consistently brings to me new insight. One of his most recent offerings was “Five Attitudes That Will Make You Soar.” So with acknowledgement and credit to his expertise, let’s leave our all too earth-bound existence and soar, as he recommends, with the eagles.
“Our attitudes determine to an immense degree what kind of life we have. Therefore, shouldn’t we focus in on the best attitudes to have and then make them ours? Absolutely. If we want to soar with the eagles in this life, and if there are attitudes that will make us soar, shouldn’t we pursue them with all our hearts? By all means. So here we go.
1. I can. This is the most basic of all attitudes. We simply must choose to believe that we can. Don’t allow yourself to say ‘can’t.’ We can say, ‘I’ll try,’ or ‘I tried and failed, but will try again.’ Telling yourself that you can’t will in effect make it so you can’t. Even if you actually only achieve 50 percent of what you tell yourself you can achieve, you will achieve at least that much more than if you told yourself you couldn’t.
2. I will be generous.
Another attitude that will make you soar is to be a generous person. The attitude (and discipline) of generosity increases your likelihood of success for two main reasons: One, you are happier about yourself and that puts you in a state of mind that is prepared for successful living. Two, people pay back people who are generous. Generous people receive in kind and that will raise you to levels yet unseen.
3. I will make a difference in the lives of those around me. People who soar are generally people who have the attitude of helping other people. Yes, they may do it for monetary gain, but they are others-focused. They want to change the way people live and experience life for the better. They are difference makers all around. People who care about others and will do what they can to help others are most often genuinely successful.
4. Not much will make me angry. Whether or not we get angry is a choice of attitude. We determine whether or not we will be angry. I have found that often I will meet with someone who is struggling with achieving something and in many cases I find that they are angry people. They have held onto an attitude that is at its root angry. When we take on an attitude that raises the bar on what will make us angry, we are positioning ourselves to be in a state of mind that is better able to live and work in this world in such a way as to achieve success.
5. I will look for the good in every situation. This is basic optimism. Successful people who soar through life are those who are optimistic about life. They see the good, think the best and strive for greatness, or just a better day-to-day life, believing all the while that they will achieve it because it is possible.
Where do you see yourself? Do you need an attitude adjustment? Make these attitudes your goal and as they become part of your persona, you will soar.”
My take, obviously, is that much of our world is not by happenstance, but determined by the choice-attitudes we take. And in the immortal words of I know not who, “It is what it is, but it becomes what you make of it.” Have a nice flight.
Esther Kenyon is a Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce reporter and former CEO of the organization.
