Showing posts with label positivity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label positivity. Show all posts

Saturday, January 28, 2017

10 easy ways to make the world a better place

1). At the end of the day, send a short thank you or complimentary email to someone who helped you or did something great that day. For teachers, send a quick email or make a short phone call to a parent about their child. Bonus, do a hand-written personalized note and hand deliver it...

2). Find some information or resources for someone who you know is either looking for assistance or struggling with a particular situation. This may include finding someone else who excels in this particular area and asking them to reach out to this person to help them through this process.

3). Surprise a colleague and do something that is typically on their job responsibility list. This is only effective when the intent and purpose are to help. Don't use this as an opportunity to outshine or one-up, or you risk turning a positive gesture into a negative.

4). Stand up for someone who you know is right and struggling to make progress against the masses. This could be as simple as saying something publicly in a meeting or sending an email and including others on that email. The key here is to show your support and help to validate the points that are being shunned. Bonus, by doing this you may empower and embolden others who feel their voice is not being heard...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnerobot/
5). Commit to doing something in the future that will help someone to do something in the present. There are countless times when others need a little support and encouragement to get them over the hump of trying to do something or change something. Your gesture of commitment in the future is just what they need to get the ball rolling in the present.

6). Find something funny and share it with others. You can't ignore the power of laughter and when presented at just the right time, a good laugh is the difference between an average day and a great day.

7). Finish the task you said you would finish. You would be surprised at how often we say we will do something to only finish half of the promised task. Be the difference and go the distance by finishing what you said you would finish... this means a lot to people.

8). Present someone a challenge you think they can handle and would be excellent at overcoming. Present this challenge in a way that highlights the strengths of others, and remind them that you believe their skill set is perfectly aligned to tackling this challenge. The key here is to empower and send a boost of confidence to someone who may be lacking of late.

9). Start saying 'yes' and 'why not' more than 'no' and 'that's not possible.' Be careful with this, because if you always say 'yes' then you will become overwhelmed and over-committed. In the same breath, don't always say 'no' because you will become the person who nobody approaches with new ideas or possible changes. Help someone by embracing their creativity and innovation by giving them a green light.

10). Be yourself and don't try to be someone you aren't. Far too often we try to be who we think others think we should be, and in the end we ultimately disappoint both them and ourselves. Be yourself and others will be greatly appreciative.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

We always have a choice...

Sometimes things don't quite work out the way we planned...

Sometimes life throws a curveball when we're expecting a fastball...

http://goo.gl/8DXnYs
Sometimes people act in ways that we never could have imagined...

Sometimes we're put in a position that is less than favorable to say the least...

Sometimes despite all the advanced planning and preparation, things just don't work out...

In life, when these 'sometimes' happen, we have a choice in how we are going to respond.

It's not complicated and it's not really multiple choice.

It is however extremely difficult to regulate our emotions and maintain a level-head. There is no doubt about that...

Remember, no matter what happens you will always have a choice as to how you are going to let whatever happened affect and impact you.

This is your choice and only your choice.

Here's hoping you are making the right choice...


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

10 little things that make a huge difference...

Start saying 'please' and 'thank you' even when it's for seemingly small and trivial events/transactions. Nobody has ever been shunned for being too polite and kind...

Go the extra mile and make that one last phone call, send that one last email, or finish that one last conversation. Those little things that most put off for another day (and tend to forget) make a huge difference to those around you...

Give support and encouragement to someone who you know is pushing themselves and trying something new. Added bonus... check in on them from time-to-time and offer assistance as needed and requested.

Share something that positively affected you with someone else. When we share what we value, we share a piece of who we are, and that is how trust and relationships are formed.

Make humility a top priority when working with and interacting with others. Nobody wants to be around the person who 'knows it all' and the person who is 'never wrong.' Be the person who wants to find out and the person who is human and makes mistakes...

Don't ever be caught talking poorly about someone. Remember, when someone hears you talking poorly about someone else, it's natural to think about how that person talks about you behind your back. Keep it simple and stay positive.

Stay calm and keep a level head. When people start to get 'crazy' it tends to put everyone in a state of frantic. Be the one who remains calm and brings everything back under control.

Make it personal... Yes, of course we all have jobs and deadlines that need to be addressed. But, there is always time to get to know folks and know them on a personal level that goes beyond just the professional level. No, you don't need to know their favorite color or their favorite type of ice cream, but knowing the basics of their life can mean a lot...

Put yourself in their shoes and show some empathy. This has nothing to do with being 'easy' on people... it has everything to do with knowing that we are all battling our own set of challenges. Remember, what comes around goes around, and your empathy will be repaid in full when you need it most.

Smile and be friendly...   :)

Saturday, January 5, 2013

The way of the donkey...

I read this short fable recently and wanted to share...

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.

You have two choices... smile and close this page, or pass this along to someone else to share the lesson.


~ Author unknown

Sunday, October 21, 2012

It's all about your attitude...

It's all about you... how do you see the world?




When your glass if half full, your perspective and attitude unleash a world of possibility...


Your attitude in life isn't just important, it's REALLY important...




 When you practice the power of positive attitude & perspective, you are better able to balance the demands of life.


Watch this short video below and commit yourself to finding the silver lining in every situation; commit yourself to taking action rather than waiting for someone else; commit yourself to self-empowerment and a positive outlook in life!





Monday, August 27, 2012

The power of positivity...



Check out these 4 short posts below on positivity!

Positive Teacher Pledge

Be sure to sign the "Positive Pledge."

14 Simple Strategies to be More Positive

An Original Tale for Teachers... Nikki the Giraffe


~ Your enthusiasm and positive energy set the tone for your students. Your attitude is one of the few things you can actually control, be sure to use it wisely!


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Who is telling your story?


This has been on my mind recently. I hope these types of questions are on your mind too...

~ Who is in charge of being the Chief Storyteller for your district?

~ How do constituents in your district get their news & information about the district? Are you meeting them in the areas that they frequent, or are you making them go find the information for themselves?

~ When something great is happening or happened within your district, how are you getting that positive news to the community?

~ How is your district telling your story to your community? (I'm a firm believer that if you don't tell your story, somebody is always willing to step up & tell your story for you...)

~ Pictures & images of great things happening in your district are worth the proverbial 1,000 words....with something to think about.


@ideaguy42 really got me thinking about these questions. Thank you Dr. Dillon.