We’ve been together through marriages, births, new jobs, old jobs, and deaths. We’re great friends, yet it takes a lot of coordination to get the six of us together. We finally did it… we scheduled a “Girl’s night out.” We met for dinner to catch up on what’s been going on in our lives over the past nine months.
A lot had happened. As we chatted, something struck me. I was involved in a “bet you can’t top this” conversation. There was the storm (Sandy) and the havoc it wrecked on my friends’ homes. There were deaths, there were sick parents, there were frustrations with children, there were spouses that traveled more than they were home, and there were jobs that were unsatisfying and jobs lost.
I felt myself drawn in. How can I top what they were saying? How can I spin the things going on in my life to make them bad? I started sharing. Then I stopped. I realized that it was just as easy to spin the bad things that they were saying to be good as it was to spin the things going on in my life to be bad. The parent that died, died after a mercifully short illness. The job that was lost, turned into a better opportunity. The home that was partially damaged, turned into an income opportunity. The home that was destroyed, was fully covered by insurance.
I have no idea why it is so easy to see the bad. To see the problems with what’s going on. I do know, however, that with just a bit of effort it is easy to see the good. And when you see the good and flip it around, you give yourself the chance to smile, the chance to see the opportunities you have and the chance to grow.
Take a look at your business. Take a look at the things that you complain about. Take a look at the things that you wish were different because they annoy you. Take a look at the bad things that have happened to you.
Now give yourself the gift of shifting your perspective on it. What good can you see?
And one more thing… when you find yourself playing “Bet you can’t top this!” top it with good things and you’ll watch you and your business grow.
What are you going to shift your perspective on? Share it with me in the comments section of my blog.
Carrie– You shed such great light on today’s version of ‘misery loves company.’ People have told me they feel more comfortable being negative– such as with backhanded compliments or complaints–rather than a compliment or praise for fear of being labeled a pollyana, goody-goody or brown-noser. Yet appreciators are always the most sought after in your circle, your office or networking group. Thanks for this excellent positive-focus reminder!
Carrie, I totally loved the shift in perspective outlook. I have certainly done that in the last two weeks as I had to cancel my trip to Ready for the Stage, deal with family emergencies and lack of financial resources. My shift in perspective is the only thing getting me through as I do believe in miracles! Thank you for reminding me how a simple shift can change everything 🙂