Provision #642: Work Your Attitude
by Bob Tschannen-Moran
LifeTrek Laser Provision
We often think of attitude as a mental framework, but in reality it's so much
more. Attitude involves our whole being and we have to put it out in the world
if we hope to experience its benefits. That's especially true when it comes
appreciation. Appreciation is no thing to keep to ourselves; it is meant to be
shared. When we give it away we receive it back many times over. So why not work
that attitude today? Do it, and I'm sure you'll experience the gift.
LifeTrek Provision
I'm writing this Provision while I am again sitting in a chair in the sky, only
this time I'm flying over the South China Sea on my way to Vietnam (the
Vietnamese prefer to call it the East Sea). We've had a wonderful conference in
Manila, making many connections that we expect will develop in interesting and
engaging ways over time.
It's wonderful to be appreciated. Given our strong desire to contribute in
meaningful ways to the growth and development of others, especially educators
working in primary and secondary schools, the opportunity to connect with the
International Schools movement in this way has been especially satisfying. We
truly want to thank the many people who have made this all possible.
While in Manila, we spent virtually all of our time at the Conference hotel.
Giving a total of eight presentations over the course of three days did not
leave us with much time for sightseeing! We did, however, get to know many of
the people who work at the hotel, and that was a real joy. Rico, who made the
omelets every morning, Raul, who cleaned our room every day, Philip who carted
around the luggage, Maria and Daisy, massage therapists at the Chi spa, and
Ericka, who worked the morning shift at the health club, all made memorable
impressions.
They did so by working their attitude. Now I'm sure they were taught do so by a
hotel which boasted having the "friendliest employees in Manila," but it came
across as genuine and it definitely lifted our spirits. It's impossible to have
someone look you in the eye, smile, and greet you with a musical lilt to their
voice and not have it rub off in return. I found myself becoming more vocal in my
expressions of appreciation with each passing day.
That's essential to making appreciation work. If we really feel it in our bones,
as I wrote about and encouraged you to do last week, then it has to come out in
how we approach, treat, relate to, and greet other people. Appreciation is not a
concept in theory; it is a way of being in practice. While it is true that we
have to feel it in order for it to come out of our horn, it also true that it
has to come out of our horn if we hope to feel it.
The inner resonance and the outer expression of appreciation are part and parcel
of one reality. They contribute to and feed into each other in mutually
constructive ways. They work together. So here's the secret: it doesn't really matter where you
start, you'll end up with both if you do either one consistently.
It's hard for me to imagine, for example, that all those greetings, smiles, and
appreciations being expressed by the people at that hotel do not have some positive, residual
effects after those folks get off work. I suppose they could resent having to be friendly all
day long, grumbling all the way home, but they could also benefit from their
appreciative, on-the-job training. I know I, for one, feel
better when I remember to smile and greet people in a friendly way. It's hard to
fake that.
Humorist Loretta Laroche likes to make this connection in her presentations. "If
you smile or laugh long enough," she notes, "sooner or later your
brain gets the message, 'I must be happy.'" And so it is. When we work the
attitude of appreciation, when we put it out there in the world, when we share
it with others in ways that make them smile in return, our own countenance
improves.
So let that be our way in the world as often as we can bring ourselves to
remember. Every time we meet or interact with someone is not too often! Express
appreciation not just when someone does something nice; express appreciation
whenever someone comes into your sphere of influence. The common bond of
humanity is reason enough. We are not alone. Isn't that worth celebrating?
Over time, I have come to appreciate that connection much more fully and
consistently. I'm still not as good as many people I know, but I'm better than I
used to be. Instead of taking people for granted, being impatient, or otherwise
acting as though the world owes me a living, I am much more inclined to
experience people as gifts, to be tolerant, and to otherwise act as though I owe
the world my appreciation.
That's what I mean by working our attitude. If we want to make life more
wonderful, then we have to express an appreciative attitude at every
opportunity. I'm finishing this Provision at sea level, after spending several
days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The traffic here is a real inspiration. Sure,
it's crazy. But it's also beautiful as people give way to accommodate each other
on the road. There is no road rage here, because there are no hard and fast
rules to follow (except, perhaps, when the police are looking).
It wouldn't be smart to drive the wrong way on a one way street, but people do
it. They also drive on the sidewalks. And they drive in every direction
imaginable while on the road. The first time I saw drivers making a left turn,
let alone a U Turn, into oncoming traffic, I found myself astonished. There were
no accidents, and no flaring tempers. There was simply a gentle giving way as
the traffic enveloped and worked its way around us. Beautiful.
To make that work, there's a lot of eye contact and hand signals in Vietnamese
driving. People are constantly checking, flagging, indicating, nodding,
asserting, testing, accommodating, and otherwise connecting with those around
them in this thing they do called driving. It looks crazy, but it functions
amazingly well. That's because people take an appreciative attitude when it
comes to the interactions on the road. They count on and cultivate the
cooperation of other drivers to survive and thrive through it all.
Appreciation can do that. When we allow our attitude to show, when we work it
for all it's worth, when we express appreciation to one and all, life has a way
of becoming more wonderful. It's not enough to feel appreciation in our hearts;
we also have to let it show in our lives. The inward and outward journey are
one; so connect the dots and live!
Coaching Inquiries: How could you express more appreciation in life and work?
Who could you reach out to with an appreciative word or deed? How could you work
that attitude as your standard mode of operation? What is one specific thing you
could do right not to make it so?
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Email Bob.
I'm printing out your latest Provision,
It's All
Good, to send to my sister. She's back in the hospital. Thanks for the
encouraging words.
After nearly a decade, I am still reading your Provisions. Thanks for
all your good words & inspiration! I thought you might enjoy reading about
Jim Tornes; remember him from Rotary? Speaking of inspiration!
Walking Tall Article Top
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran, President
LifeTrek Coaching International
121 Will Scarlet Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Email: Coach@LifeTrekCoaching.com
Phone: (757) 345-3452
Fax: (772) 382-3258
Twitter: LifeTrekBob
Web: www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com
Coach Training: www.EvocativeCoaching.com
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