18. Be Positive.

You have the power to choose your attitude. Choose to be joyful, optimistic, and enthusiastic. Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest, and that the intent behind their actions is positive. Give them the benefit of the doubt; and if mistakes are made, practice forgiveness. Remember that your attitude is contagious. Spread optimism and positive energy.

Chris' Message:

We all get to start every day with a positive enthusiastic attitude. No matter who you are or what your job is, you can make a huge impact on everyone you see that day. Not only will it make you feel more optimistic, but it’s also contagious to everyone around you.

I have been fortunate to be able to coach my sons in baseball, a passion I love. As my youngest Tyler goes to play JV ball next year, I realized this year was my last season of coaching. At our final game my wife had all the kids from all my coaching seasons sign a picture. The kids wrote special messages, and none wrote about their performance on the field, good or bad. It was all about the great times they had and the friendships they made. I hope to believe in some small way my positive attitude was contagious and made an impact on them.

What if we all walked around with a bad attitude and always looked at our job and the world with a negative attitude? Would that be a place you would want to go work every day or visit every day if you were a customer?

When I start to think about what associates live this Fundamental every day so many come to mind. John Balla in Youngstown brings it every day with an enthusiastic, positive attitude. I can see it in everyone around him – his positive attitude is contagious.

Smile and say hi. It might change your day and someone else’s also!

“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” – Francesca Reigler

Thanks for reading