What’s the Real Return on Optimism? A Survey

What’s the Real Return on Optimism? A Survey

Jan Moran

 Well, color me happy!

As a writer and entrepreneur, I’ve often witnessed the power of optimism in business. 

An optimistic attitude instils confidence in business partners,

from clients to employees to investors.

To determine the real return on optimism, simply flip the switch:

Consider the damage that an oppressive workplace can do.

What would that do to your business partners? Your employees?

Optimism: As Simple As Answering the Phone with a Smile

An optimistic attitude creates a cheerful working environment,

making it a joy rather than a drudge to go to work.

If you’re in the business of customer service, and really, who isn’t? — then a joyful interaction

is not only a rare thing of beauty, but it might also make the difference

between your client happily signing on the dotted line again — or not.

In my last business, I asked everyone to answer the phone with a smile.

Some thought I was a little nuts, but try it for yourself — you can actually hear a smile

over the phone. Soon, callers began saying things like, “It’s always such a joy to speak to you folks. You’re like an oasis in my day. I look forward to calling your company.”

Music to my ears.

Optimism Sets the Stage for Successful Resolutions

That meant that when callers were transferred to me,

I had a client or vendor in a good mood on the line.

What a difference! Even if there was a problem to resolve,

the optimistic attitude set the stage for a successful resolution.

Optimism began to creep through the company in small ways.

The receptionist took ownership and created her own joyful answer:

“It’s a beautiful day at Scentsa, how can we help you?”

Surprise and delight became the order of the day.

Optimism Drives Creativity

Ever try to be creative with a dark cloud over your head?

Pretty tough, huh? Negativity kills creativity.

Our most creative days were when optimism ruled.

Often, when management or investors dictate change and a negative person is forced into the mix, creativity suffers. Then sales suffer. Clients get cranky. It’s a slippery slope.

Keep optimism high.

Now, my best days of writing begin with a sunny attitude. My expectation is that it’s going to be a great day. So what happens on my worst days? You guessed it. They started the way they ended. The page bleeds red ink. Might as well have stayed in bed.

Optimism is Money in the Bank

Even if optimism isn’t exactly money in the bank, at the very least it primes the financial spigot.

One thing is certain, if you’re trying to create a product, build a company, or turn one around,

you won’t do it nearly as well with a negative attitude.

In business school, I remember the case study of Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx.

With his optimistic attitude, Smith inspired such dedication to the cause

that when the going got tough, his employees made personal sacrifices

to keep the company afloat — sacrifices which were later well-rewarded with success.

Optimism is a Can-Do Attitude

It might sound a little old-fashioned, but you’ll never accomplish your goal without the belief

that you can do it. Plant seeds of happiness and cultivate your attitude like a garden.

Create a plan, work that plan, adjust and seize opportunities that arise, but above all

be sure to add a dose of cheerful optimism. Plus, you’ll enjoy the ride a whole lot more.

That’s why I’m such a big fan of Richard Branson, Mr. Optimism.

You gotta have a dream.

Optimism Escaping You?

Can’t summon the sunshine? Let’s be realistic: If you just can’t seem to summon an optimistic mindset, you might be suffering from depression. Maybe you need to seek help. That’s okay.

My heart goes out to the family of actor Robin Williams; he is missed by so, so many,

but his death put a spotlight on this often crippling condition.

It you’re suffering, reach out for help.

What’s Your Return on Optimism Investment? Measure It!

So how might you calculate this seemingly elusive return on optimism?

Glad you asked! Here’s a quick, fun survey to calculate your return on optimism.

Follow the link, take a quick 10-question survey, and discover your score.

Plus, you’ll gain some valuable insights. (Don’t worry, it’s totally free, no gimmicks.)

Then, come back and share your score and insights.  

Post it in the comments — and think about what you could change in your life,

or in your business, to improve it?

Your actions might be drastic — maybe you’ll decide to fire a client.

Or you might try something small, like smiling when you answer the phone.

Or get up a little earlier and grab 20 to 30 minutes of exercise, or meditation or prayer,

before the day revs up.

Think about it…

And how would that change your life?

  

Disclosure: This article was commissioned by Xerox.

http://www.janmoranwrites.com/2014/08/29/whats-real-return-optimism-survey/

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com              this takes advantage of the experience and expertise of others. 

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com     describes the steps to reading in the way your mind prefers.

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com        just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

The final questions as to why I am not succeeding.

Photo of a Gargrave bridge taken by M'reen

There are many directions that can be taken

each holding hidden possibilities

that may be seen as difficult

to a future that cannot be seen.

The final questions as to why I am not succeeding.

Written by M’reen

If, like me, you occasionally work on the things that are holding you back in your life

you may find that, with the best will in the world you are not making progress.

For over a year now  !X!!!:(!!*

1.       I have checked my belief is in accordance with the positively worded statements 

        that I have created in the present tense.

a) That means I have not used negatives such as, ‘I do not ……’ because the subconscious mind,    

     somehow or other, doesn't ‘hear’ the ‘not’ and acts on the ‘I do …’

Sometimes it is difficult to create a positive statement as you are so concerned with not having 

that undesirable consequence. I have found that if you put the second half of your statement first then the statement becomes positive.

E.G. ‘I will never smoke cigarettes again’, becomes, ‘smoking cigarettes is now part of my past’.

Making your statement part of your present is important.

b) Also don’t use  ‘ing’ as your subconscious mind always takes the easy way out. 

Therefore, ‘ I am going to sleep’ is understood as ‘sometime in the future is OK’.

Try, ‘I relax into sleep’ as relaxing into sleep is more believable than, 'going to sleep' 

when you are experiencing difficulty in dropping off.

2.       I have checked that there are no influences outside of myself that are influencing me.

  Interesting questions are: Are ……. protecting me from …..?

                                           Are  ----- supportive of ……?

These could be :

a)        : ancestors

               : the family I come from (my birth/growing up family/s),

               : the family I belong to or have belonged to

               : my group, society or culture both past and present

               : any earthbound energy. There were two energies to be released.

                They may be my excuse or they may have tuned into my need not to succeed

                and kindly popped in to support my inner beliefs.

b)     Throughout time, space and dimension Emotions such as:

 Confidence

 Success or failure

 Procrastination
 Perfectionism 

 Worthiness  

 Role models / advertising

 Authority figures / parents / teachers /religion

 Gender expectations both your and those of the above

 Good and bad experiences and expectations

 Habit

 Etc.

c)       I accept all the statements above as a natural part of who I am,
  both now and in my future.

Checking, I confirmed that:

Yes, I do believe all these statements.

Yes, I can achieve all these aims.

Unfortunately I just wasn’t!

And the final question was …….

Do I actually want this success?

And the answer was > No!

However I could find or think of no reason as to why!

Therefore I need to work content free

this means I have no need to consciously know the reasons

just accept the obvious evidence and work on removing, neutralising

or changing the energy of these blocks into something neutral or positive.

In order to do this I hand the problem over to:

x) My higher self and this is a combination of

     my everyday requirements in life

     and the overview of my spiritual wisdom.

y) A higher power.

z) A therapy that is available to me or engage a therapist.

I then work on this realisation in a way in which I feel is appropriate for myself.

Checking:

Do I actually want this success? – Yes

Am I prepared to do what is necessary to succeed? – Yes

Am I prepared to do this consistently? – No!   Oops.

Will I continue to find excuses? – Yes

Do I have the ability to overcome these excuses? – Yes.

Do these excuses serve a purpose? –Yes

Do they serve a worthwhile purpose? -No.

I release all the excuses and reasons that are hindering my progress in learning ………

so that I can actively work on this on a week day basis.

Do I believe this statement? – No

Can I achieve this statement? – Yes 

Will I achieve this statement?  - Yes

Will I spent sufficient time each day; will I spend that time and produce actual results? – Yes

By this I mean learning the skills to actively ……., within the next six weeks. - Yes

Happy Christmas to us all. xxx

Phew J J J J J J

Keep you posted.

M'reen
February 4th 2015 - I'm experiencing success :)
And another, when the this question was posed, suddenly realised why she was not having success.

The Mirror on the wall. Self Esteem.

Photo of Maureen by M'reen

The mirror on the wall, shows your reflection.

The mirror on the wall, shows the beauty from within.

So look at yourself in the mirror,

And discover your beauty and potential from within.

As the one looking back at you, is the one holding the key.

Search hard in the mirror on the wall,

And you will find what is within.

Open the gates and let yourself in.

The Mirror on the wall.

Inspired by Self-Esteem with poetry and the combination of life itself.

Posted by lhirani

A great combination of self-esteem, poetry that is touching, dreamy, life itself and even more,

that no one has written before.

This poem is created to help you along, sit or stand in front of the mirror,

whatever is suitable for you and look at the mirror and start asking deep questions

that are inside of you and sooner or later the answers will start coming out,

which is called realisation, which helps anyone change for the better, even though you are good,

but it does not harm to just go a bit further, as it is you that is holding the key to open yourself up.

In the process, while standing or sitting in front of the mirror, you can use affirmations, for example, 

I am confident, I am strong, I am lovable and capable, I care about myself, and I can do it.

Whatever is your goal in life, you can do it, as everyone must be respected, valued and treated

with dignity, this is a humanitarian right for all, no matter what you are challenged with,

as we live in a world that is full of jealous, greed, violence, discrimination and much more,

which we all have a part to play in, in stopping this kind of behaviour. Therefore, do not let yourself go and look after yourself from what you eat and drink, the way you look, and even the way

you think, as our thoughts are very powerful, if we think bad, we may end up doing bad actions, 

resulting to a bad result, as this is what one calls a chain reaction, unless, 

we can control what we are thinking, then it is a win, win situation.

 http://hmhrhlaxmibenhiranibooks.com/blog/

lhirani is a FaceBook friend, let me invite you to be my friend> www.facebook.com/mreen.hunt

M’reen:

You can also use a photograph, maybe of your little child self

and tell you all the things you wanted to hear.

I told a client who’d had been abused that she was beautiful.

She grabbed a cushion and hid behind it.

I suggested that she looked in a mirror and found some tiny bit of her that was beautiful.

The following week when I told her she was beautiful she hid behind her spread out fingers;

what a great improvement of ability to recognise herself in just one week.

It took me a little time to stand butt naked in front of a mirror and say, ‘I love me’ and mean it.

No, you wouldn't see wings and a halo, just an ordinary person on a journey through life.

I have, ‘I am love, I am pure love’ printed by my shower head

and on the inside of my food cupboard doors.

The great 'they' have found that:

if you think nasty thoughts to a glass of water then the molecules become distorted

but if you think, ‘I love you, you are pure love’ then the molecules become really beautiful.

Give this little gift to yourself, one that grows with each day.

You can TCR specialist and language dictionaries that are spontaneously accessed.

I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube 

How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com  

All aspects of regular, each-word reading and education.

Turbo Charged Reading uses these skills significantly faster

www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com             take advantage of business experience and expertise.

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com       just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

How To Think With Clarity and Power

William F McLaughlin 

How To Think With Clarity and Power

Whether or not your life works depends on how clearly you see things and that depends 

on how relaxed and centered you are. When relaxed, you know what you're doing, and only do

what you know. Things then fall into place without stress or strain, and goals are achieved as a matter of course. But when you're disturbed or excited about something painful or pleasurable, 

the opposite happens: you lose your objectivity and think you know what you're doing

rather than know you know. Things then become an effort and a struggle. They don't click

as thought or planned, and you experience disappointment or failure as a result.

The distinction between knowing what you're doing and thinking you know is subtle,

but makes the difference between frustration and success in all you do.

Let's look at how excitement or disturbance not only affects your ability to see clearly,

but also how it sets off a chain reaction process by which the problem is perpetuated indefinitely - 

and without your even being aware of it.

Have you ever been so sure of something only to find you were totally wrong about it?

Wasn't it bewildering? Maybe it was a school, work or business decision, or the choosing

of an investment or marriage partner. You considered everything so carefully,

had no doubt it was right, that it'd work - then it crashed and you wondered what went wrong.

This is what happened: Instead of basing your decision on matters relating to the issue itself,

you got emotionally involved in it. Such involvement affected your ability to remain impartial. Instead of seeing all sides of the situation indifferently in order to make the right decision,

you influenced it - took it personally instead of objectively or neutrally. Your personal (emotional) involvement contaminated the decision-making process. The decision wasn't based on fact,

but on the influential sway of your own personally-biased opinion. You colored the decision, interfered with it, unconsciously manipulated it to coincide with how you believed or "thought"

it should, would or could be. This biased decision caused the outcome to be inevitably different than the way you envisioned it - different meaning negative and negative meaning stress.

The negative outcome is perpetuated when you carry over residual stress from past situations 

into the present one, insuring it too will result negatively. On a short-term basis, it's like being upset over a flat tire and reacting by kicking it and stubbing your toe. Then in angry reaction,

you punch the fender and fracture your hand; and in reaction to that, you yell obscenities, are arrested for disorderly conduct, put in a straight jacket, and placed under psychiatric observation.

More commonly, it's like being resentful over a bad golf stroke, then carrying that resentment

to negatively affect the next stroke, then the next, until your whole game is off - which would throw your whole day off. And if you carry this cause and effect cycle to its logical conclusion, 

your whole week would be off, your whole month, and whole life would be off.

Other examples would be fear of dogs because of being bitten as a child, fear of starting

a new business venture because of a past failure, fear of closeness or openness in a relationship because of a past hurt, and so on.

Thus are you involved in an unconscious (hypnotic) chain reaction process where stress causes you to not see clearly what you're doing; not seeing clearly brings about a negative outcome,

and the negative outcome causes stress which causes you to not to see clearly what you're doing all over again.

In a circle or cycle there's no difference between the beginning and the end - they're the same point. Whenever you enter the moment stressfully, you set events into motion which brings stress in the end. If you're in error going in, you'll be disappointed coming out.

What goes, comes; what gives, gets. The end is always a mirror reflection of the beginning.

The state of mind you're in now is the one you'll return to when all is said and done. Your future

is nothing more than a projection of your present state of mind - plus a few more gray hairs.

The remedy becomes this: Change the beginning. Change the present. Enter each moment calmly neutral instead of tensely personal regardless of what happened a second ago or a year ago.

It's simply a process of changing your attitude, the way you habitually look at things:

It's not raining on you personally, it's just raining; that clerk is not insensitive toward you, personally, he just happens to be insensitive, and you just happen to be convenient.

And that half glass of water isn't half empty or half full; it's just a half glass of water.

The personal view is an opinion; the objective, centered view is a fact. Intelligence is not

what you think; it's the matter-of-fact way you look at things. It is this centered, unaffected viewpoint that allows you to see the situation you're in with such extraordinary clarity that fear, conflict, and error are naturally eliminated, and all of your actions and responses become perfectly appropriate, effective, and effortless. It's amazing!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_F_McLaughlin

13 proven strategies and behaviours that increase your attractiveness to others.

Friendship. Photo taken by M'reen

13 proven strategies and behaviours that increase your attractiveness to others.

Written by M’reen

So, OK the measurements on the tape may not read the size you desire and your bank account 

may be modest, nor are you the perfect height or have the perfect education. 

Does that make you a looser? Absolutely not!

This is simply your outside appearance and your personality is more than skin deep.

Focus On Others

What really gives you the magnetic edge over others is

your ability to focus your attention toward other people.

Make a point of being fascinated by other people, their life experience and their work.

Ask questions, a failure to ask questions is understood as disinterest.

Talking continuously about yourself is boring so monitor how many times you say ‘I’

in a conversation and balance ‘I’ with a ‘tell me about you’ question.

Successful communication happens when people share equally about what is interesting 

and exciting to them. When they share something with you, make sure you respond

with more than ‘me too’ as that is really the end of the conversation and back to you

as your principal interest. You need to hit the ball back over the net with a response

that continues the conversation such as ‘me too, did you …….?’ Now you have a shared conversation and the other person/s can feel that you really relate to each other.

However, maybe you’ve met people who always, but always, have had a worse experience that you; it is better if you are not that person 

as such a conversation becomes a competition and not a conversation.

Talk about Their Interests

When you talk only about your interest it is rather like people talking about their work

life and you belong to a completely different industry, you don’t even understand the jargon 

and rapidly become bored. So watch for the signs as to how people are engaging with you, 

are their feet pointing to the door or they are rummaging for their car keys?

Change tract and find what interests them most, a hobby, film or current event

and you’ll find this to be a great way to build rapport and, who knows,

maybe a valuable friend or business contact.

Keep These Off The Table!

It is realistic to recognise that men and women do have different interests

and it would be silly to prattle on about a subject that most people of that gender

have little or no interest – so find out – don’t presume.

Also the personal past of relationships or health is often a subject to leave out

of your conversations until a suitable point in a relationship.

A male trait very often is to hear a problem and then provide a solution – done deal;

while the feminine perspective is to seek the experience of others

and consider the consequences.

Therefore the big hunter would realise that the medicine woman

likes to solve the mystery.

Look Appropriate to the Setting

Dress for the ‘do’, while recognising that people’s sense of style and occasion

has changed over the years and what you consider to be appropriate

might not be the style chosen by others.

However, your appearance is important, important enough for style coaches

and for YouTubes; so while you are expressing your personality, does that ‘personality’

appeal to the person you are trying to impress or make feel at ease?

I once saw a lawyer give evidence while wearing Hawaiian shorts –  somehow that didn’t seem right, nor did his chewing gum fit my image of the situation. 

Care about Each Person in the Room

The qualities of empathy, caring, concern and genuine interest

are keys to attracting high quality interest from other people.

When asked to display disinterest to the extent of rudeness as an exercise I couldn’t help 

giving the person speaking to me quick little glances as he poured out a deeply sad story. 

Those glances were enough for him to feel that I was, in fact ‘present’ with his concerns.

Do you perform random acts of kindness for people daily, give an unexpected smile

or complement? Kindness is something that is seen to come from the heart,

though it needs to actually come from the heart and not be an automatic response

which people can intuitively feel.

Personal Mastery

This is a mix of self esteem (value of the self) self confidence (ability) and humility (being cool 

with not knowing). Such a person has the ability to listen with patience, to respond to what 

they’ve heard (given the chance) and to ask questions that enable the other person to expand 

on the subject. They can give the other person what they need at that time

as they are confident and comfortable in their own position. Therefore they are able to relax 

and laugh easily which makes the other person feel listened to and appreciated.

Making Other People Feel Good

This can often be achieved with a little, but believable, complement regarding

their clothes or the way in which they handled a situation.

Remembering a point from a previous conversation or remembering to include them 

when ‘everyone’ appears to have forgotten them or does not know how to be

with someone who is ill, for example. These little considerations are noted by others

and may lead them to being more generous with their time and ability.

Thank-you, particularly with a smile, costs nothing but is a very powerful ‘feel-good’ activity.

Enthusiasm’s Power

The word enthusiasm stems from the Greek,  “en-tae  theos,” or “god within us.”

There is a certain “spirit” or “aura” that seems to fill people that are fully present

with the joy of their life. I met a lady who was within three weeks of her death

from cancer and yet she was a joy to be with at a party.

A fellow artist’s Parkinson’s has developed rapidly and he simply could not …,

he just looked up and laughed at his wife. I have lessons to learn.

It is difficult not to be infected by someone’s enthusiasm for their subject or joy.

Be Healthy

People who are vibrant and attractive to others are those that have sound

mental and physical health.

There are many books that have single sentences for reducing the stress you express

in your life. Including a recent report that states that simply sitting properly

actively reduces stress and improves physical health.

As a hypnotherapist these seems obvious to me as if you put your head and shoulders down and slump the n your body is instantly flooded with depressed chemicals as your body leads your mind. On the other hand if you think about something pleasurable

your body responds physically. Try this now.

So before you enter a room or conversation fill your mind with joyous thoughts

and you’ll instantly full fill many of the points raised in this article.

Develop Certainty

This means develop your knowledge and interest base.

I read that someone took up a different hobby each year in that vein

maybe you could read or watch in a different subject area each year.

If I remember correctly, Ursula Andress as ‘Honey Ryder’ in Dr. No (1962)

could be considered a very attractive person. Her education consisted of starting at A

in the encyclopaedia and Geisha’s were highly educated to fulfil their role.

This education gives a solid base for conversation and a resource for others and promotes confidence in yourself as does ‘practising what you preach’ so that you can ‘walk your talk’.

Orientation to Action

Some people simply ‘do’, they create and make things happen

that you let pass through your mind as a good idea.

Sometimes these things don’t work or are a stepping stone

but these activities tend to involve others and be of mutual benefit.

This positivity is seen as being successful and it is often said that

if you want something doing then you ask a busy person to help out.

This quiet or burning energy is directed and focused and is seen to be of benefit to others

and we all like to be associated with people seen as winners, stars, people of the moment.

Personality Plus

Compatible personality does matter.

Tolerance means broad-minded of others and that doesn’t mean that you approves

of actions that are against your principals. It means that while maintaining your boundaries 

you can accept that someone else’s difference are just that – differences.

Humour stands the same litmus test, again there is a general male and female difference 

when it comes to jokes. A friend told me to close my ears as he told two other men

a joke he knew would leave me cold. He respected the difference and boundaries  described above. A person who can laugh at herself is often a lot of fun to be around.

And as my friend with Parkinson’s, he made light of a difficult situation that can only get worse 

and made it so much easier for me to relate to him as the person he is inside.

Sincerity means a lot to people. Again men and women tend to view this 

from a slightly different perspective with women finding sincerity to mean security

and you’ll have to tell me what it means to men.

And for those who are balanced with their masculinity and femininity

then being balanced is the optimum and important word with all these points.

Honesty with yourself and with others along with consistency

and a growing personality are important constituents of sincerity.

Flexibility People admire flexible people and find them easier to be with.

This does not mean changing your personality to suit the circumstances or person

but to genuinely be open to exploring new ideas.  

The Talking Body

A long time ago I heard someone read a letter in a monotone

as was expected of that culture at that time.

Are you a monotone personality or do you let your enthusiasm shine

through your voice, eyes and gestures?

I find golfers fun, the ones I’ve met simply can’t tell you a story as they have to enact every detail and being a none golfer then the story appears in ‘glorious technicolour’.

Subtle body language to outright mime are skills a film star use to describe the story.

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com                this takes advantage of the experience and expertise of others. 

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com      describes the steps to reading in the way your mind prefers.

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com         just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”