Monday, November 19, 2018

Promote what you love

What we focus on becomes who we are.
The way we view situations has a significant impact on how we respond to them. Focus on something in a negative way, and the situation is compounded. Focus on something positively and options are realised.
There are those who see the glass half empty, those who see it as being half full, and those that see no glass at all.
We call this perspective, and perspective has a powerful impact on how we respond.
If we always do things in the same way, we should never expect to get a different result each time. To change the reaction, we have to change the action.

The term “Garbage in, garbage out”, is a true definition of a comparable REACTION based on a comparable ACTION.
There are some powerful keys necessary to change our perception:
1. Don’t use a hammer to crack a peanut

Many people just crash through life like a bulldozer. Anything in the way becomes a target. Using a hammer on a peanut, will do the job, but there’s nothing left to eat. As a chef I learned early on, that every knife has a particular job, and using the right tool gets the right result. Not every comment needs a response, and not every situation need your input. Sometimes the best response is no response.

2. Centralise your thinking around the good stuff

Peter pan found his “happy place”. Some years ago, I learned a truth from a friend of mine, who oversaw multiple projects and thousands of people. In the midst of a crisis, a member of staff stormed into his office with (according to them), an urgent problem. My friend’s response to them, was “that’s not a today problem”. Good management requires good timing, and a clear focus. Before diving into a new problem, spend time considering past successes.

3. Never react intentionally. Respond thoughtfully.

The only time we need to react is if we are in the path of a truck. Otherwise, consider the options and outcomes before a response. Reacting out of emotion will only inflame the situation. 
Never send an important email in anger. 
Never post a thoughtless comment on social media, 
and never let your frustration be evident in your language.

None of these reaction will improve the situation, in fact on the contrary, you will likely have further issues to deal with.
4. Filter all your input before accepting it as finite

All our actions are filtered through our emotions. If past emotions are part of a negative experience, it will likely flavour and colour our opinion. 
Some of those opinions will betray us, and others will enslave our thinking. The conversation of the “inner man” is our key counsellor. No amount of external information will change our “inner counsellor” until we teach it a new language. 
The language of love.

Disappointment has many children, but only one father – unrealistic expectations. 

In the search for new perspective, we need to start promoting what we love and quit bashing what we hate. Not only will it bring empowerment, but a healthy new perspective. Criticism is never constructive, critical thinking is. By thinking through a problem, we then respond with postivie solutions.