Saturday, September 1, 2012

Accentuate the Positive

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between


Johnny MercerHaving little kids like I do, offers such an opportunity for my own learning every single day.Over the past few weeks, my older son, Quin, and I have been struggling with his younger brother Cade's behavior. The specific issues primarily take the form of Cade wanting to make older kids laugh. This can include using some inappropriate language (especially for a five-year-old) and being too aggressive with other people through his actions and words.
While this behavior is certainly unacceptable to me, one of the things I have noticed is that his older brother now focuses on what Cade does wrong, and runs to me to numerous times during the day to report on his brother's latest antics.
Now, I'm sure child behavior specialists could have a field day in what I'm describing here. But the thing that has become most apparent to me is how much we focus our attention on Cade's negative behaviors, instead of his many other wonderful qualities as a brother and a son. And we all know that universal law - where the attention goes, so there the energy flows. In other words, what you focus on is what becomes most pronounced.
I've noticed the same thing in my business and in my client's businesses. When the attention is focused on the negative outcomes, or the things that might not be going well for us, we get ourselves stuck - and we just keep getting more of the same!
It's as if the negative thoughts, beliefs and focus create more of what we don't want, instead of allowing us to focus on all the positive things that are going on around us in our businesses and lives.
So where is your attention focused? Are you feeling frustrated and stuck? Could it be you are focused only on the negative aspects of what is going on around you?
As an assignment, I like to challenge you to look at three areas where you find yourself feeling negative and frustrated and try to find five good or positive things about where you are. Write them down and read them to yourself each morning and evening. See if by focusing on the positive, it helps to bring more free-flowing energy and ease to the difficult situations in your business.
I'll be doing the same, as an entrepreneur - and as a mother!

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