When I was a little girl, back when records or LPs were in fashion (yes I am that old, and I might just add they are cool again! #justsaying), I had a little portable record player. I took it around to a friend’s house one day because she had this really cool LP she wanted to play. I can’t remember what it was about; all I remember was that it was a “Barney” kind of thing that had a story with a moral at the end. All I remember about that record was one little phrase that has never left me.
“Turn that frown upside down” is something I have used on my kids and even some big people in my life. Now that I am a coach, I realise the power in that little phrase even more. Why? Because we have the power to do just that!
I saw a post the other day which made me think about my little phrase. “A great attitude becomes a great mood,” it said. Having grown up as a very moody person, I can vouch for this.
So what is an attitude?
It’s a view, outlook, perspective, stance or approach. It is basically how I see the world and how I respond to it.
Three things you should know about your attitude:
1. You can control it.
People often say things like, “He made me angry” or “She made me sad”. Nobody can make you anything; you choose to react to them in that way. You can control our state; you just have to learn how to.
2. You can change it.
You can change your experience through the way that you react/respond to life’s circumstances. Do you look at life through the filter of Victim or of Victor? The first will result in you always reacting to life; the second is about responding. There is a difference.
3. You can influence others through it.
When you decide to respond to life instead of reacting, you are often the calm in the storm. When you are peaceful and calm and don’t react with the herd, you will bring a calming influence to the people around you. It takes courage, patience and practice – but it is so worth it.
So, today what are you going to choose? Is it a frown or a smile? Turn that frown upside down and influence the people around you for good. Do it! Do it now!
Then send me a note telling me what you did and how it turned out.
