Being a leader can have its ups and downs, and if you are the owner, there are days that either extreme can be taken to a multiple of 10. After all, we tend to be negatively wired. Examples of this are visible in our everyday lives. Studies show that the news reports negative information approximately 92% of the time. As they say, “If it bleeds, it leads.”
The same is very true in businesses. Ask any member of your team to rate performance or critique the company, and you will see a long list of issues and problems. Owners tend to be problem solvers. In one way, that’s a strength as it is usually the reason for the enterprise’s existence. The negative side of that is always being in problem-solving mode.
“We will only change our outcomes if we first change our attitude.”
During my Tune Up for 2023 webinar, I provided a 70 Point Inspection worksheet that examines your company to find strengths, opportunities, and weaknesses. The first place people went? The weaknesses. My point was that we should start with our strengths.
Download Dan’s 70 Point Success Inspection worksheet
and watch the Tune Up for 2023 webinar below!
A negative focus makes us weaker; it drains our energy and demotivates. Finding joy becomes nearly impossible. Yes, there are challenges, and we have to be realists—however, mindset matters for you and your team. We will only change our outcomes if we first change our attitude.
So What Can You Do?
It all starts with gratitude.
Be thankful for the things you have, the opportunities, and the lessons you learn. Appreciation empowers.
Why not start a journal?
To create a thankful mindset, you have to change your habits. Old habits die hard, so new outcomes require conscious effort. A gratitude journal is a step to changing behaviors. Twice a day, take a few minutes to write down three things you are thankful for. Some days may take longer than others, and we aren’t always going to be in the right frame of mind, but over time you will get better. Building this routine will begin to impact you in a matter of weeks. It will empower you to seek solutions and focus on strength over being drained by problems. Adrian Miller recently posted that she has been practicing this method for over 3,000 consecutive days. She has repeatedly talked about how it has benefited her. And the CEO of our marketing company, KGI Design Group, Kim Poulos Lieberz also shared “I too keep a gratefulness journal and have written 5 things I am grateful for every night for the past 30 years (so I guess I’m almost at 11,000 things to be grateful for at this point). To anyone thinking about doing this – just do it – whether private or public – I know for me it has changed both my focus and my being from the inside out. When we reflect back daily we realize how truly blessed we are, even when it is sometimes hard to see.”