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Guest post by: Lee Colan Become an Author

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Many of us have a pretty gloomy view of the past few months – an economic downward spiral with no end in sight. Or is it? The view we take is a choice we make. Today, more than ever, there are more excuses than ever not to achieve our goals. However, success goes to those who let their actions rise above their excuses.

I address the 3 Common vs. 3 Effective responses to tough times in my Free manifesto (a fancy word for an article) on Downturn Leadership. Many thanks to the folks at www.ChangeThis.com for making it look so slick.

Our experiences are much less important than how we choose to think about them. The way we interpret our experiences shapes our beliefs about the past. Furthermore, our interpretations either limit or enable our future success. For example, a mission-critical project you are leading has “promotion” written all over it, but it bombs – it’s over budget, past its deadline… the works. How you choose to interpret those facts is where you can shape your future. Are you a failure, a poor leader who is maxed out and on her way out? Or, are you a great leader in the making who is learning some tough lessons that will help ensure success on the next project when your true colors will show? Facts are facts, but the view you take is your choice.

Think the best ALL the time. What’s the harm? If you choose to protect yourself from disappointment by always thinking the worst, you have also chosen disappointment as the filter through which you view all things and people…and that’s just what you will get. On the other hand, you can choose to think the best all the time. Sure, you might be disappointed occasionally but, most of the time, you will be programming your mind and others to achieve their best.

If you find yourself having a negative thought, say “STOP!” out loud, and replace it with a positive thought. Saying “STOP!” out loud is important so that you can actually hear yourself controlling your own thinking. Let’s see how it works.

A friend told me about a situation that used to drive him crazy. He would drive home after a hard day through rush hour traffic and find the driveway to his garage impassable, blocked by his children's bicycles and toys. He reacted something like this: "These kids have no sense of responsibility. They never pick up after themselves and it’s a hassle for me to move their junk just to get in the driveway."

Then he said, “STOP!” out loud. He decided to choose a more positive view and he responded with, "My kids are still kids. It looks like they had a great time today. Boy, how time flies….I had better seize the moment with my kids."

Sure, the driveway still looked like a yard sale after a wind storm and his children did not put their toys away. Nothing changed except his interpretation of the facts. He substituted gratitude for anger and changed his mind for good.

What can you change about your perception of your current situation? Substitute gratitude for resentment; substitute planning for regret; substitute action for excuses. Be the victor, not the victim.

Remember, when you change the way you look at things, things change the way they look.

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