Earlier this week, we ate at Hyman’s Seafood in Charlston, SC. It’s the first time I’ve seen a company’s attitude statement on giveaway fridge magnets.

It’s Chuck Swindol’s point that “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

I find it very true. Success has been found after the largest setbacks because people took an attitude of ‘what can we learn from this and move forward’.

We also pass our attitude onto others. Many years ago a GM (and my boss) had been upset for several days about some problematic negotiations. While not addressing it with associates, it was very obvious to all that he had a raincloud over him. He asked me one day why everybody seemed down. My reply, “when the king has a cold, the kingdom gets pneumonia.”

Our attitude also colors the feedback we get. How many times have we seen people tell what they think is wanted as opposed to what is needed to be told?

Make no mistake, it can be a real challenge for me to practice Swindol’s advice. But seeing it this week was a good reminder for me.

What part does attitude play in your success?

– Don Kincaid