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Archive for July 31st, 2008

What’s attitude got to do with anything?

Add comment July 31st, 2008

The 2008 Miss Ogle County Fair Queen, Taryn Pfeiffer, would answer that question with one word: everything.

“Ladies and gentlemen of Ogle County,” she asked the crowd at her coronation, “what would this world be like if everyone had your attitude?”

That’s a show-stopping question. With a tweak the question becomes even more important: What would this world be like if everyone had your attitude in tough times?” I think it’s tough times that call out our real attitudes. Except for the “black holes,” those people for whom nothing is ever good enough and for whom wallowing in self-pity is a joy, most of us have great attitudes in good times. We smile, we share happiness and we plan for wonderful futures. In good times, everything is possible.

Bad times? Not so much. I believe there are two kinds of brains: the one that’s paralyzed in bad times, and the one that’s energized. Note, I did not say “enjoys bad times.” Energized in bad times. There’s a huge difference.

The brain that’s energized in bad times figures out ways, not to survive, but to thrive. The energized brain faces adversity head on, acknowledges it with respect and then wrestles it to the ground, turning adversity into a challenge to innovate, to grow personally and professionally, a chance to, as Star Trek used to say, “go where no one has gone before.”

These are tough times. Political, social, financial upheaval around the world, and so close to home that there can’t be more than a handful who aren’t affected in some way. These are not good times and there is no place for baseless Pollyanna attitudes. Denying the bad times or covering them over with sweet lies perpetuates distrust and cynicism.

These are times that demand a brain energized not paralyzed. Think about Ms. Pfeiffer’s question: What would the world be like if everyone had your attitude?