I’ve been in the direct sales industry for over 30 years now and love it. Sure, it has its ups and downs, rewards and failures and emotional highs and lows, but looking back, I wouldn’t change my involvement, experiences or acquired knowledge from this industry for anything.
If there is one lesson that I’ve learned from all those years, it’s summarized perfectly by one of the world’s most proficient men, Mark Twin, who said,
“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.”
Through cancer, business failures and a divorce I never wanted, it seemed and often felt like the end of the world. I realized at an early age, 25 to be precise, that attitude plays a major role in one’s life, influencing decisions, actions, health, happiness and beliefs. I honestly believe that if I had not cultivated a positive – “can-do” attitude early in life, I would not be here today! Does that mean that a positive attitude alone will save you from the heartache and challenges that inevitably come into our lives? Of course not! But, it can and will make a huge difference in how you react, live and give!
Attitude Has The Power To Change Everything
So why, you might ask, am I writing about “attitude” in what typically is, a “technical” blog? It’s simple, attitude effects and has the profound power to change everything, and running a direct sales company is most definitely, one of the most challenging and rewarding endeavors you will ever take on. Your attitude will affect everything you do and ultimately, will have a huge influence on your success or failure in your business. In this industry, the ups and down are amazing. The lows are lower and the highs are higher than any other industry that I know of. Ultimately, vendors will fail you, product will be returned, software will break, people will drop out and some days, it will feel like the whole world is against you. Just when you think that it’s not worth it anymore, one lone Distributor will write you a letter, telling you how much you have changed their life and because of you, their life and the lives of their family has been changed forever. You’ll tear up and hold onto those words, just long enough to take you into your next convention, where once again, you will be given the opportunity to experience heart-warming interaction with some of the best people you will ever know, experiences that will melt away any doubts that you may have had, realizing once again, that this sometimes not-worth-it and money-sucking bottomless pit, is by far the best experience of your life. Just remember, through it all, people are watching – watching and listening. Waiting for you to lead, to inspire and for you to create an environment and reality that will change their lives forever. You can’t do this, unless you yourself, have the right attitude.
Creating your “mental reality” is one of the most empowering things you can do. You can look at a situation and see the good or you can look at the same situation and choose to see the bad. Often, your view of what’s happening is filtered through the lens of your own thoughts. Learn to manage your thoughts and you will control your attitude – and your destiny.
Positive thoughts create more abundance. If you want better relationships, be more successful in your career, or to find a level of happiness that brings you peace and comfort, then focus on what is right, on what is positive in your life. Surround yourself with uplifting and positive material. The books you read, the music you listen to, the writings on the wall, the people you associate with are all critical to a more abundant life.
Negative materials, people, and thoughts, on the other hand, contribute to feelings of dissatisfaction, disappointment and defeat. If you think the worst – it will happen. Learning how to change your negative thoughts is the difference between living a life filled with frustration and one filled with confidence, happiness and joy!
Here are ten ways to stay positive – no matter what’s happening in your life
If you can stay positive no matter what life throws at you, you’ll have the power to make your life into anything you want it to be. In this industry, attitude is the multiplier by which every other part of the business is grown.
1. Recognize at Least One Blessing a Day
Make a goal to recognize, and then celebrate, at least one blessing or happy moment each and every day. No matter their size or significance, be sure to seek these happy things out and then hold them close so you can see their positive power.
2. Enjoy the Moment
Make the most of every moment because life can change in an instant. The present moment is the only one that is guaranteed! So while the present moment may be uncomfortable, it is how we react to that moment that will affect the outcome – immediately and for years to come. It’s so important to look beyond the present problem and find the reasons that will make this moment worth living for.
“The problem that we have with a victim mentality is that we forget to see the blessings of the day. Because of this, our spirit is poisoned instead of nourished.” – Steve Maraboli
3. Empower Yourself
Did you know that only 8% of the things you worry about actually come true? If you are worrying about the worst-case outcome of a situation, then make the choice to do everything you can to avoid it. Empower yourself to plan for the worst, but expect the best.
4. Embrace Your Mistakes
Accept the fact you are human- wonderfully, beautifully human, and then embrace your mistake as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself, and others. By becoming aware of your mistakes, you are able to move past them and prevent regret from keeping you stuck in the past.
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” – George Bernard Shaw
5. Pay It Forward and Always Put People First
A positive attitude is contagious. When positive thoughts and feelings are shared with others, it’s contagious. I have experienced this phenomenon time and time again, and it’s fun! Pay your positive attitude forward and watch the difference it makes. Peoples countenance will change and you will leave a wake of happiness in your path.
“Never Let a Problem to be solved, be more important than a person to be loved.”- Thomas S Monson
6. Learn to Say No
Know when to say when. Over-committing and stretching yourself too thin is an invitation for stress and negative thoughts to sneak in. Create reasonable boundaries that, while they may push you, also keep you safe from anxiety.
7. Hold Yourself Accountable
Find and use tools that will help you stay focused. When you feel overwhelmed, positive attitudes can slip away. Hold yourself accountable for getting back on and staying on track. Remember to take the time to focus on your goals, dreams and attitude. It’s going to take a positive attitude to make your dreams come true. It’s up to you to control your destiny. No one else will.
“The right things and the hardest things to do are usually the same, and brings the greatest joy.” – P. A. Stewart
8. Be Grateful
This is different than “Recognizing at Least One Blessing a Day”. Being grateful is an action. Make sure you show and tell the people around you how appreciative you are for all they do. It would be as simple as stopping them in a hallway to thank them for the great work they turned in, or by giving a small gift to show gratitude to the assistant that makes you look good. Taking the time to show gratitude will not only bless the lives of those around you, but will lift your spirits as well.
9. Be Right or Be Happy?
Would you rather be right or happy? Keep in mind, a person who always has to be right, will never be happy. Be honest, be kind in your delivery and accept it, when you are wrong. It will build trust amongst your friends and co-workers and creates an atmosphere of trust, loyalty and happiness. To stay positive, sometimes being right or wrong just doesn’t matter.
10. Let it Go
Holding on to old, negative experiences or thoughts will breed resentment and creates a barrier so thick that new, positive experiences and thoughts don’t stand a chance. Let your negative thoughts go. We weren’t born to be consumed by constant pride, negativity or hate. Those things will destroy you. We were all born to make a positive difference in this world. It’s time to let go and begin living the life you are meant to live. It’s time to stay positive – no matter what.
“The two most important days of your life, are the day you are born and the day you figure out why!” – Mark Twain
No matter what you do in life, do it with a positive attitude. Love every moment and share that love of life with everyone you come in contact with. By doing so, you will not only change the lives of the people around you, but you will be happier and more blessed as well. Do this, and you will leave this life richer than you ever thought possible!
In the end, isn’t that what really matters most!
