Positive Attitude - Life Choices

By Terry Orr

 Life is about choices – each choice has consequence’s – good and bad – we need to make those decision –our attitude while making those decision are critical in the thought process – and have a positive attitude certainly helps to make the right decision more often. 

Last year, our article “Positive Attitude – Can Do” focused on the importance in thinking positive (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2012/10/positive-attitude-can-do.html).  

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” ― Walt Whitman

“Life is a bowl of cherries. Some cherries are rotten while others are good; its your job to throw out the rotten ones and forget about them while you enjoy eating the ones that are good! There are two kinds of people: those who choose to throw out the good cherries and wallow in all the rotten ones, and those who choose to throw out all the rotten ones and savor all the good ones.” ― C. JoyBell C.

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” ― J. Sidlow Baxter

“Always strive to aim for the highest peak of the goals in life you have set, this way if you manage to reach even half way toward a goal, landing in the middle is not such a bad place to end up.” ― Victoria Addino

“The worst disability in life is a bad attitude.” ― SupaNova Slom

Wake up Early ~ One of the best ways to help you maintain a positive attitude is to create the habit of waking up early.

Exercise ~ Very few things in life leverage your time as much as exercise.

Plan Your Week and Day ~ Having a clear plan to your day and to your week can go a long way to helping you maintain a positive attitude.

Understand that Things Won't Always Go as Planned ~ If you plan and expect everything in life will go as you planned, you will be quickly disappointed.

Be Thankful ~ Take some time and be thankful.

 Remember – wear your smile each day – maintain your positive attitude – and enjoy each and every day of your life.

Imagination

By Diane Forrest

My stepson's daughter just had a birthday and for a gift, he gave her the latest iPhone. I was shocked to say the least. She had turned 4. I was telling my friend this and he informed me how beneficial it would be for her because it would allow her to play games and such. I guess I am more old fashioned in this technical world. My thoughts were, what ever happened to baby dolls and tea sets? These are the building blocks of imagination, then when they learn to read and write imagination is then infinite.

I don’t mean to knock technology and the benefits of computers, however most of the time we depend on these things to do all our work for us, solve our problems and answer our questions. I think a 4 year old needs a box of crayons and sheets of paper and use their imaginations to draw pictures instead of playing an electronic game on a telephone.

What are your thoughts? 

Effective Communications Month (June) 2012

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By Terry Orr

What is effective communications?

Communication is the process of sharing information, thoughts and feelings between people through speaking, writing or body language. Effective communication extends the concept to require that transmitted content is received and understood by someone in the way it was intended. The goals of effective communication include creating a common perception, changing behaviors and acquiring information.

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Tip 1: You aren't a computer! (Stop Multitasking)

• When you are having a conversation, don't do something else at the same time.
• Take care to minimize distracters (TV, computer, cell phone, etc.) in the environment.
• If you find your attention drifting, consciously bring it back to the conversation.
• Make a mental note of key points that you hear during the conversation.
• Listen, don't just 'wait to talk'.

Tip 2: Set the stage (Tell your audience what's coming)

• What's the subject you wish to discuss?
• What's the timeframe for the conversation (schedule and length)?
• What's required of the listener?
• If it's a negative message, prepare the listener ("This is difficult for me to say, and may be difficult for you to hear...")

Tip 3: Think before you speak - and while you are speaking (Be more conscious to be more effective)

• What's the message you are hoping to get across?
• Determine associated information that's needed to support your message.
• Consider anticipated response of the listener, including possible concerns or objections.
• Word choice, tone and body language shape your message.
• Being more conscious helps you to be a better listener, too.

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Tip 4: I can see clearly now ... (Clarification is critical for effective communication)

As a speaker:

• 'Check in' with your listener to make sure that your message is being conveyed as intended.
• Don't make assumptions of your listener's knowledge of or interest in the subject.
• Allow for and respond to questions.
• Use analogies or common examples to help facilitate understanding.

As a listener:

• Use 'active listening' ("What I hear you saying is ...)
• Ask clarifying questions ("Do you mean...")
• Reflect observed body language and tone to confirm impressions.

Tip 5: Take the high road (Break the cycle of negative interaction patterns)

• Responding to an attack with an attack contributes to a downward spiral of negative interactions.
• Take a couple of deep breaths or count to ten before responding.
• Look for common ground to get back on track.
• Watch for emotional 'flooding' and take a time-out if needed.
• If what you are doing isn't working, do something different.

Communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior.

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