What Can Make The Difference In Your Life Today? How can two people with the same skills and abilities, in the same situation, end up with two totally different outcomes? Leadership expert John C. Maxwell says the difference maker is attitude.
For those who have ever wondered what may be separating them from achieving the kind of personal and professional success they've always dreamt of, Dr. Maxwell has some words of insight: "Your attitude colors every aspect of your life. It is like the mind's paintbrush."
"Don't Let Your Attitudes Set You Back" -- John Maxwell The Big Five Challenges People Face:
1. Discouragement
Everyone gets discouraged. Sydney Harris said, "When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life's hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?' "
Not everyone responds to discouragement in the same way. In regard to discouragement, there are two kinds of people in the world: splatters and bouncers. Splatters hit rock bottom, fall apart and stick to the bottom like glue. Bouncers hit rock bottom, pull themselves back together and bounce back up. The question is: Are you going to give up or get up? It's a choice.
Here are a few suggestions that will help you bounce when you experience discouragement.
- Get the right perspective. You don't have to look very far to see that you have it pretty good.
 See the right people. In Winning with People, I talk about the Elevator Principle. There are some people who lift you up and some people that bring you down. When you are discouraged, you need to go find yourself a lifter!- Say the right words. Dr. Lloyd Martyn Jones wrote, "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself?" Remarkable? Think about it. You wake up in the morning, and right away, there are streams of thought coming into your mind. Instead of compliantly listening to them, start telling yourself the positive, difference-making words you need to hear.
2. Problems
I love what Malcolm Forbes said about problems: "If you have a job without aggravation, you don't have a job." Like discouragement, everyone experiences problems, but there are some basic principles for handling problems well.
- Define what a problem is. Fred Smith taught me many years ago that a problem is something I can do something about. If I cannot do something about a situation, it is a fact of life, not a problem.
- Anticipate problems. A problem anticipated is an opportunity. But a problem not anticipated is a problem.
- Embrace each problem as a potential opportunity. I've always loved this expression: Problems are wake-up calls for creativity. The great Norman Vincent Peale said, "Positive thinking is how you think about a problem. Enthusiasm is how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a problem."
To be continued tomorrow... Challenges 3 through 5 |
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Jim Batten has been a strategic partner for Autism Speaks in recruiting top talent for more than fifteen Walk, Regional Development, Science and Executive Director positions across the country. We have come to know, trust and appreciate the partnership that Jim has provided to Autism Speaks. He is uniquely able to recruit top talent based upon his proven recruitment methodology, his extensive network honed for more than 20 years as a nonprofit executive turned expert recruiter for the industry, and his keen ability to intimately understand our needs, culture and the fit desired for one to thrive in our fast paced and demanding culture. His intimate knowledge of volunteer/staff partnerships and the demands of the nonprofit industry give him an edge above other executive recruiters.
Jim has become a trusted advisor and confidant to me and our senior team. I would not hesitate to recommend Jim Batten and The Batten Group to any hiring authority seeking an exemplary search effort that will exceed your expectations.
Mark Roithmayr
President
Autism Speaks
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1122 Sam Newell Road
Matthews, NC 28105
(704) 841-2099 office
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