Be Your Own Boss

It is said so often on so many websites — dating websites, lifestyle makeover websites and even relationship advice sites — have a positive attitude. It is very important for those sites to make sure their readers are positive about life, but it is nowhere more important than in business.

I strongly believe that one of my best features to offer a customer is my positive attitude, even in the worst of situations. I’ve had my company “fired” on occasion (usually because we charge more than the next guy), but we’ve been asked back within months. When I’ve asked why, it is almost always one of two things: we performed better work, or the other guy was so dreary.

There are thousands of websites that offer advice for having a positive attitude — even the ones that charge for the advice usually have some good free information. Go find those sites and browse around. Even before those differing opinions, though, I’ve always had some good tricks to turning the biggest grouch into the guy with the always-on smile, the guy with the brightest most positive attitude.

First, you need to try to see what is making you appear negative. I set aside at least one day a month to get out of my own skin and look at other people: people watching in public. Go hit the local Target or the local mall and glance at people’s faces. You know what you’ll see? Frowns, everywhere! These people are out socializing, spending money, buying cool things, and they’re sad (or worse). Try it today, have a look at the general public. If you’re not too shy, try a little test while you’re out: wear a smile, even a goofey one. Make sure you make eye contact with people frowning (especially if they’re lost in thought). I’ll guarantee that 50% of them will smile the minute they see you smiling. Smiles can be contagious like a yawn.

Second, you need to try to catch yourself when you’re in public and showing a frown. Even if you don’t feel happy, forcing a fake smile can make you happy. If you have a significant other or a friend you hang out with often, tell them to point out when you’re frowning. It took me almost 6 months of constantly being pointed out (by friends, family and the significant other) for me to change from the constant frown to the constant smile. It was the most significant change I made in my life — I went from being the “scary scowl guy” to “wow he’s always so friendly!” My income jumped and my customer retention jumped after I made the change.

Third, you need to watch how you talk. I’m a very critical individual, but I learned something important from criticism: don’t offer it unless someone asks you to. If you have criticisms that aren’t being asked for, don’t offer them — use that information to make your product or service better. On the other hand, if someone asks for your advice or criticism and you have one, definitely offer it. Being honest is good, being critical without request is bad. I’ve silently criticized many of my competitors by making changes when I’ve had the same shortcomings in my businesses. There is nothing wrong with smiling at their shortcoming while you make yourself worth more.

The positive attitude is the most important change you can make to yourself. There are days that I don’t shave, dress in jeans and a T-shirt and leave my hair in a mess — but my smile will carry on through the day and leave those around me happier. When it comes to dealing with customers, the smile can be more powerful than offering a completely perfect product. When I’ve messed up with a customer (even in a bad way), I’ll always try to fix it — but my smile is what gave me the chance to fix it instead of looking back at a lost customer.

Get out today and look at everyone around you. You’ll be shocked at the feeling you get when you see depression and anger — you want to get away. Yet the rare person you see with the positive attitude, smiling and almost obnoxious? They’re the one that you will want to do business with, that you’ll want to keep in your life.