Extract from the Book "Win in Business"

Author and speaker Chuck Swindoll said, “I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.” An attitude like that is important to have because there will be friends and associates who will present you with many reasons why you can’t do something. At times a staff member would come to me and say, “We’ve got an impossible situation!” They don’t any more, because my response is always to sit and review the details of the problem and to find solutions. They soon realise that there are always options before them. I believe there are always solutions to any problem. 

Some of your initial ideas may not be the best solutions to your problem, but your initial ideas extend your thinking and extend the boundaries, and great solutions end up coming your way. Learn to have a ‘can do’ attitude. The solution may not come immediately, but it will come. And the more solutions that come your way in the long run will ultimately define your long-term success.

The story is told of President Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions who travelled across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had overflowed its bank because of a recent downpour. The river had washed away the bridge, so each rider was forced to cross on horseback. Each time they crossed that river they fought for their lives against the current. A stranger stopped on the bank to watch. After several riders had plunged into the river and made it to safety on the other side, the stranger turned to President
Jefferson and asked if he would carry him across on his horse. The President agreed without hesitation. So the man climbed onto the President’s horse and the two of them crossed the raging torrents to the other side. As the stranger slid off the horse onto dry ground, one of President Jefferson’s companions asked him, “Why did you select the President to help you across the river?” Initially the man was shocked that it was the President who had helped him cross the river. “All I know,” he said, “is that on some of your faces was written the answer ‘No’ and on some the answer ‘Yes’. The President had a ‘Yes’ face.”

A good attitude has a ‘Yes’ face. Do you have a ‘Yes’ face? Your attitude will determine your success.

So stay the vision; stay on course. When problems seem insurmountable, when obstacles stop you dead in your tracks, take counsel from the right people—from people with a ‘Yes’ face—and keep moving forward. Your focus and your passion will carry the momentum for you as you circumnavigate the challenges.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

1. Regularly invest in resources (such as books, magazines and CDs) that help you peek into future trends and issues.
2. Learn to discern problems from a distance, recognise the solutions, and take the initiative (and the risk) to activate your solutions.
3. Adopt a ‘can do’ attitude.
4. Believe in yourself and believe in your product.
5. Stay focused and passionate.
6. Keep moving forward—don’t look back for long.

Peter Irvine is available for keynote speaking. If you would like to have this amazing speaker share his wisdom, please contact Peter on 0419 236 854.