Think Right

One of Mixonian's most popular posts is from March 1, a bit on Investor's Business Daily's top 10 qualities of successful people. This post re-visits the first item on the list:

How you think is everything. Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.

This advice is not the first on the list for nothing, nor is the list arranged in alphabetical order. This is first because it is the foundation for other good things to happen.

Probably you have realized by now that your span of actual control in the whole universe is not as big as it "should" be. I mean wouldn't the world be a better place if people always did what you think they should?

Maybe, maybe not. What we can control, largely, is our approach to life, how we bounce back (or not) after the surprise elements. Blogger, author, exercise instructor and entrepreneur Marie Forleo says that no matter what happens in your day, you pretend that such is exactly what you want: the unexpected traffic, the spilled tea on your dress, the no-show appointment, whatever. In the same vein, I tell myself, "this (meaning whatever the surprise element) is going to turn out for the best, even if I can't see it right now."

This is not to deny that really nasty things happen. They do. However, our getting all down, angry, and into self pity about it only makes it worse! Any negative reaction makes it harder, and take longer to bounce back. And positive things do happen as a result of negative things, you just have to look for the silver lining.

No matter what happens today, assume that it's for the best.

Results from the alpaca scarf drawing will be published later today.