Check the Attitude

I always enjoy observing people and how they act and interact. So this week’s thought is slightly different, in that it is aimed at team dynamics rather than personal goals or development. I still believe there is something to be taken to heart for everyday casual interactions as well.

Some people are bold and confident while others are more reserved, quiet and hold back to test the waters before venturing into focus. These characteristics also change depending on the environment and the people they are with. You may say, "That is obvious," and you would be absolutely correct. My thought is whether we can control or choose the attitude we adopt in various circumstances or whether it is something instinctual that is "built-in" based on our life journey experiences and exposures.

I believe it is yes to both sides of those questions.

Our attitude does adapt to our current mood, our environment, the comfort or discomfort we feel with the people surrounding us, our physical health and even our financial health. Put yourself in the same situation with different emotional circumstances or people you are friends with as opposed to a group of directors and your attitude will likely take on  a different flavour.

If we left our attitude on full 'auto-pilot' we may find ourselves in tricky situations more often than not. Auto-pilot attitude has little, to no diplomacy and places your needs as primary priority. So, if allowed to operate without checks, could offend and will definitely exasperate those around you.

There are those who allow their attitudes to brazenly push through unchecked or without, seemingly, a care of the impact it makes. I'm sure we all know those individuals who take centre stage, know everything, talk over others as if only their ideas or concepts are worthy of being heard. No consideration is given for 'the small guy' who may possibly, just possibly, have something of worth to offer, an original gem. That environment of the bullish superstars may be enough of a deterrent for the individual to just bury that gem deep down, feeling inadequate in the blinding self-generated light of the stars of the show. What a loss! (To everyone.)

My thought for this week then, is to monitor the attitude in yourself and in others. Be ever mindful of your actions and the impact they have on others. If you find yourself treating others as if they were less important or of little consequence; check it, take auto-pilot off and adjust your flight controls. If you notice that there are people being subdued, step in and give them their opportunity to bring their contribution to the table. It may just be a gem!

No-one is more or less important than the next and their contribution should be considered equally important.

People are different and personalities are equally varied. That is what makes interactions interesting. It is your decision to adopt the right attitude to get the most value or enjoyable experience out of each interaction. Check your attitude...

Half-victories and Incomplete Successes

This week has been a long, short week with some pretty impossible work deadlines requiring some extra work to be put in. Despite my best efforts I failed to complete my assignments although I made major strides in comparison to previous weeks achievements. These half-victories or incomplete successes can either beat you down or you can rise up and keep going until you have completed ‘the race.’ I know I put my best into my work and can honestly say I really couldn’t have done much more than what I had achieved. For me then, I can still be satisfied with my efforts and my incomplete success.

What are your half-victories or incomplete successes?

Have you given up on them out of despondency or fear of complete failure?

Tell someone you trust about what you have been working towards and how you see your unfinished plan. Someone with external perspective can maybe see just how far you have actually come and see how close you are to success. With their knowledge of your plans, they can also encourage you along the rest of the journey. Having moral support also gives you another sense of accountability to push you when you feel like giving up.

We all have career, family, health, travel and relationship aspirations that we have buzzing around our heads. Some are clearer than others as we have spent more time contemplating and planning how to achieve them. Others are vague as we have considered them distant, almost unattainable dreams. All of them are your dreams, and worthy of exploring. They were placed in your heart as something important to you, so don’t dismiss any one of them as impossible. I recommend writing them down in a journal, depositing the dreams of your heart into a written list. List the big dreams and the small goals, don’t think anything is too big or too trivial to be listed. Then expand on each one, giving a bit more detail and also estimate a time frame by when you would like to have achieved each of the goals. (I have done this with a few things and have been astounded by the results.) Revisit the written list from time to time and add to it as you develop new dreams. Tick off the ones you have achieved and remind yourself of what dreams are inside of you but maybe have been stifled by the busyness of surviving.

Realising goals achieved is a very fulfilling process and develops a momentum of its own.

Life experiences change your desires, sense of purpose and your priorities. This will inevitably change what your heart dreams of. Perhaps your career aspirations change from a corporate ladder climber to that of a content employee when your first child is born and time at home is valued above completing a contract long after the office closing time.  Maybe a heart problem changes your primary focus onto your health and then diet and fitness becomes a priority. Relationships and friendships also change depending on seasons in your life. People who once seemed important, may no longer play a role in your affairs and become insignificant.

Go back to your list and make the changes, as your heart guides you. Remember the time you have is right now, this very moment. Don’t get caught up in the things you don’t control or can’t change. What is done is done, look forward and make the future the way you dream it to be. Keep going with those half-victories and incomplete successes.

What Does it Take to Finish the Race?

Watching the comrades marathon always stirs my emotions. I have enormous respect for every person standing at the start. It has been a long journey to even just get to stand amongst the other starters. They have committed themselves to the goal, done the training, made the qualifiers and most important of all, believed that they could do the marathon. Nobody would attempt something like that, if they did not believe that by the end of the day they would have crossed the finish line. Would you try something believing you are going to fail before you've even started?

Long before the start, each runner had the vision of finishing the race and holding that medal. That belief, is what kept them going.

What is your finish line? Do you believe enough in yourself to reach it?

Each one of us have our own marathons in some form or another and each requires the same steps to complete it;

• a dream (vision),
• a faith that it can be achieved,
• preparation/planning and
• action.

Without one of those steps, the 'marathon' will likely end in failure or at best be more difficult to complete than it could have been.

Some people run ‘the marathon’ alone, others in small groups and then some in large buses. Everyone is different and require different support and motivation. Some need the solitude and the inner voice to spur them along the route. Those in groups enjoy the conversation and pepping of one another to keep going. One thing is true, when we hit a difficult patch and find ourselves in trouble, we all need that helping hand to lift us up and get us going again. No matter how strong your belief or faith is, there will be times of doubt and that's when someone else can make a difference. Whether you are 'running' or a 'spectator' when your spirit is strong you can be a supporter and lift someone's arms when they are down. Imagine how incredible this world would be if everyone adopted that attitude. Look out for those battling, take a moment and lift them up. One day it may be you looking for the hand up again.

We can't all (and don't need to) win the 'marathon' as long as we have participated as best we can, both in our individual level of performance and as a supporter of those around us. Look back at how far you have come and make sure you can be proud of the journey you have taken. Make a conscious decision today, to make the rest of the journey something you want to remember and share with your friends and family.

Believe you can, and you are on your way to achieving your goal.

Will You Find The Enthusiasm

So this week, I feel a bit of pressure after “going international” last week. Blog views from UK, Germany, USA, Australia and of course SA. Thanks to those who have encouraged me.
 
My mind has been filled with so many thoughts, words, ideas, but none have really struck that chord that vibrates to my core as the Friday Message. Perhaps then that is the message, despite a lack of warm fuzzy feeling, we must press on in our commitments. This is quite apt to the current workplace atmosphere, where our workload is low and the decay of morale quite evident. I doubt if there are many of us sitting with that warm fuzzy feeling and all aglow basking in the glory of our chosen career. I could have chosen to post-pone my Friday Message until I felt the inspiration fill me or decide to put my hand to the plough and do what I am meant to do. Similarly, in our workplace we have a choice, to either post-pone our efforts until the enthusiasm finds us or we put ourselves to work and build the enthusiasm from within. I hear my own brain questioning the sanity of finding any enthusiasm to generate pages and pages of technical documents and lists. You have to remember that these seemingly insignificant items all have key parts to play in the greater picture. Without one of the building blocks, the structure will collapse. The walls rely on the foundations, the roof relies on the walls. Even the greatest sky-scraper relies on that first shovel of dirt to be turned.  Just make sure the shovel is working in the right place, but that is a whole different message.

Enthusiasm is contagious! If you work with someone who is constantly excited about their work, you will feed off their enthusiasm and develop an interest in the subject. Your own enthusiasm will build and eventually feed someone else. Unfortunately the same is true for negative behaviour. Avoid the negative, stop them in their steps and turn the topic positive. ("I'll have mine sunny-side up please!") 

My other advice is to always look for the fun. I believe that in everything there is humour to found. I probably overdo this, to the extent that sometimes, I'm not taken seriously but that's the way I'm wired. Anyway, life is far too short to be taken so seriously.

We must laugh more often. The sound of my children laughing must be the most beautiful sound in the world. We were created unique in our ability to laugh, so why not exploit that human trait to the fullest. Everyone's laugh is as unique as the person itself. Express yourself, don't hold back!
 

I now find myself, battling to wrap this message up, the enthusiasm has found me!

I hope you give it a try too...