Positive Attitude Story

An old man sat studying just outside of the gates of an ancient city. A traveler approached him and said: 

 “Old man, tell me what are the people like in this city?” 

The old man looked up from his reading and said: 
 “First tell me what the people were like in your home city?” 

The traveler  replied: 
“The people in my home city were a miserable lot, greedy and mean spirited; they are why I left to wander the cruel world. I have vowed never to return to that horrible place.” 

The old man sadly looked up and said: 

 “Sir I am afraid you will find the people in this city to be much the same.” 

The traveler shook his head in disgust and passed through the city gates. A few minutes later another traveler approached and bowing to the old man said 
“Venerable one, may I ask you to tell me of the people in this beautiful place?” 

Again the old man asked 
“First tell me what the people were like in your home city?” 

The young man smiled and said 
“It is a place much blessed, the people are kind and generous, I look forward to the time when my travels carry me back home so I can tell them of all the wonders I have seen.” 

The old man smiled and said 

“Sir I am happy to tell you will find the people in this city to be much the same. Welcome.” 


Learning: 

1. People see the world not as it is, but rather, as they are. 
2. Our world view and our personal attitudes form a lens that shapes and colors how we see the people and things we encounter in our lives.
3. Research found that people who typically “forecast” positive Outcomes are generally happier than, those who forecast negative outcomes.
4. Abraham Lincoln was fond of saying “People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” 
5. Watch your words: The words that pass your lips have a profound effect on how you see the world. Your grandmother was right “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” 
6. Stay away from negative influences. Listen to just enough news to keep yourself informed, and stay away from negative people. If a coworker likes to hold a daily “pity party” tell them “I’d love to talk but I’m quite busy.” 
7. Take Mark Twain’s advice “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, But, the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” 
8. Confidence is an important component of happiness. Try to see the bright side of every situation.
9. Think about the two salesmen a shoe company sent to a remote island. The first cabled back, “I quit, no one here wears shoes!” but his replacement sent this message, “Ship supply of shoes immediately-urgent need-no one here has shoes.”

Count your blessings every day, thinking about what is right in your life, instead of dwelling on problems, will make life more enjoyable. Take time to relax. Give your brain a rest, find something you enjoy doing and make time for it in your life. It is especially important to spend time with the people who are important in your life. Have a laugh; few things can lift you up like a hearty laugh. Read a good joke, watch a good comedy and learn to laugh at yourself (Never at others).

Winston Churchill said, “I am an optimist, it does not seem too much use in being anything else.” Churchill’s unconquerable optimism inspired the English people to keep fighting when it seemed hopeless to do so. It could be said that it was his positive outlook that won World War II. You may not face the great challenges that Churchill faced, but if you can develop his positive outlook you will also win great victories. A positive mental attitude can add much to anyone’s life, but it is indispensable to those of us who have chosen a sales career.

I’ll close with these thoughts from Herm Albright, “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.”