"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
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Monday, October 05, 2009

The power of attitude...

This is a bit of a different post for me, a departure from the light-hearted frivolity and silly pictures I usually display here. I try not to talk too much about work on here. It is something that, when the work day ends, I choose to leave behind. It is not because I don't like my job. On the contrary, I do. And I am immensely thankful to have it in this economy. I work in a service industry and we have been very fortunate to have been able to ride out this recession and still remain pretty busy. So this is not going to be a rant about working. It is just ... an observation. Something I have observed in my office and have learned a valuable lesson from it and because I look at so many of you as treasured friends I want to share what I have learned in the hopes that it will help others.

Our office is small. It is very casual. We all know each other pretty well. Most of us get along great and even though we don't always agree on things we know how to constructively hash out our differences and move on. We do our very best to make each day fun. We are very much NOT a PC-type office! ;-) But, there is one person there that for a long time now has managed to alienate everyone. This person has thrown every one of us "under the proverbial bus" numerous times all in an effort to make themself look better. This person has major insecurities, is too dramatic, is one of those "it's all about me" type of people. I think you get the gist. No need to drone on and on about negative stuff.

So on to the lesson I learned. Last week this person called out sick one day. That day was THE best day we have had at work in a long time, in terms of the atmosphere in the office! I can't remember the last time there wasn't a thick cloud of tension hanging over everything. I swear to you it instantly lifted when we learned this person called out. For one whole day there was not a single problem, no major issues, everyone was busy and got the job done but we were relaxed and jovial while doing it.

It is amazing to me how one's attitude can totally alter the tone of the day. One person with a negative and nasty demeanor can bring down the moods of many. Attitude is a powerful thing. That day last week proved to me just how powerful. With that person's negative attitude out of the picture, everyone's overall temperament improved. Everyone smiled. Everyone laughed. The work itself was still as crazy and busy as ever but if anything we did the job better because we didn't have that dark cloud over us.

 
It is very important to me to always try to be as positive and uplifting as possible. It is how I strive to live my life. I don't want to be the one to bring anyone down. I mean, I am realistic and I am no Pollyanna. I am going to have bad days. Everyone is going to have bad days. But I am going to be so much more conscious and aware of how, if I have a bad attitude, I am affecting those around me. Most importantly, I could be affecting those I love and cherish the most. I refuse to be the one make my loved ones sad or anxious!

It really is all in one's attitude. It is a very powerful thing.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Great post!! I totally get you with the attitude means alot...it was that way where I worked last...there was so much negativity it made it so hard to work and have good days...it brings down the moral and makes work no fun...but from the almost 6 months since I met you (online and in person) you are a very positive person and I love that:) I tend to complain a little more than I should and I should also be more aware of that...:)

Furry Bottoms said...

Are you sure you don't work with me in MY office? We had exactly the same kind of day last week when my boss called in sick. She NEVER calls in sick, but that one day she did, boy we got a lot more finished and we were happier around eachother. You're right, attitude is everything. BUT... I don't work in an office as friendly as yours, so I do tend to keep to myself a lot more than I do otherwise. Just to protect myself. I hope I am not alienating anyone by doing that... Hmm... good stuff to think about!

Jessica said...

I TOTALLY feel you on the whole positive attitude thing.
I gave up all negative thoughts about myself and others for Lent, and have kept it up since then.
It's amazing what seeing the positive in everything will do for you, and it really is contagious!

Hope you are having a great Monday :)

Amy said...

I couldn't agree more! I choose to limit my exposure to the "negative nellies" in my life. Like you said, we all have bad days, but I say "Hey, don't make your bad day MY bad day!" LOL

On a sidenote: I love that you say "called out" sick. Here we say "called in" sick! Love the differences!!!

Alicia said...

amen sister!! it works that way in our family...if one person gets grumpy, everyone gets grumpy!!! thanks for the reminder to keep an upbeat attitude!! :)

Baba said...

I have a sling shot that is perfect for shooting ass,um, personal sized pumpkins...

Just sayin, in case you ever need it, is all...

Jenny said...

I always call these people "Fun suckers" in my life. Knowing they have a name helps me... my husband and I will whisper "F S" to each other and giggling about it makes them very, very slightly less annoying. Hopefully she'll need a few extra days to recover!

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

Great post. You are so right. One negative person can bring down a room full of people.My husband had a boss like that. When he was at work everybody was upset, tense and walking on eggshells. When he was gone it was the best place to work, things got done, people were nice.

It's so sad that some people choose to go through life with so much negativity. Unfortunately, if they work with you you can't get away from them.Life is too short.

Unknown said...

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Carma Sez said...

So true...it only takes one rotten apple to ruin the entire atmosphere. I'm glad you don't let it get you down.

Melissa Miller said...

You are soooo right my friend!
Life's too short to be a sourpuss.

Have a wonderful evening.
~Melissa :)

Cheryl said...

Well said. And so true. It always amazed me how "bad" classes turned "good" when one student was absent. It gives the saying "one person makes a difference" a whole new meaning.

thatdesigngal said...

Ah, I totally hear ya. We had that exact situation happen at the place I used to work. It was always a fabulous day when he wasn't around!

Totally agreed...

Connie said...

I could write a book about this subject!

And it's why I hope to goodness I never have to work in an office again.