Optimists see the opportunity in every problem.
Pessimists see the problem in every opportunity.
If there is a common denominator both to success and failure, undoubtedly that would have to be a person’s attitude.
“If you think you can, or you think you can’t – you are right” stated Henry Ford.
But what is “Attitude”?
We have heard it said often or said it to others ourselves “Change Your Attitude”.
That’s the end of it. We have told the culprit to change his/her attitude and walk off. Do we really believe that the recipient of this remark will even be aware that they actually have an “attitude”.
We are what we think we are.
Others usually turn out to be what we thought they were if we tell them often enough.
“I don’t have a #!@^*# attitude!”We are all victims of our “attitude”. An “attitude” is the first thought or feeling that comes into our head on any subject. Some subjects don’t elicit a reaction (an attitude). Others can cause us to have a racing heart, sweaty palms, anger and adrenaline destroying common sense and logic without any conscious, considered thought… it just happens.
“I can’t help it – I can’t speak in public”.
“I hate -----------------“
“I love -----------------“
“My favourite colour/car/book/dress/actor/etc etc is…………….”
We are a myriad of reflections of our attitudes.
If you are reading this page, we can assume you are considering going into business so let’s look at your attitude from a business context. What is your opinion of:
a. Salespeople?Remember that your opinion is a habit of thought. The first thought which came into your head when you read this list is your opinion. It's your opinion I need here.
b. The General Public?
c. Accountants?
d. Your Partner (Business Or Relationship Partner)?
e. Local Government / Authorities?
a. If your opinion of Sales People is negative, perhaps you should reconsider buying a business. I don't know any business which does not need to sell something. I used to run seminars for people who were planning to buy a business and I would always ask this question. It was amazing how many people dislike or even detest 'sales people'.Now you can see I have an 'attitude' to public servants.You might say, "Well, I'll get someone to do the selling for me". Good answer, but if you dislike sales people how are you going to relate to them. Will you respect the information they bring back to the office. Obviously you believe sales people are liars and anything they tell you will be suspect. And yet you are prepared to let them go out and lie on your behalf. A little hypocritical, don't you think?
b. The General Public; how often I have heard "if it wasn't for the customers I would enjoy this job". I can't believe the number of times I have gone into a business and been treated like I was an undesirable; an annoyance and a distraction to what the sales people are really there for; catching up on the weekend gossip, sorting stock or reading the Woman’s Weekly. Some people really hate people. You find them in every kind of business. The moral of this is, ‘DON'T GO INTO BUSINESS IF YOU DON'T LIKE PEOPLE'.
c. A very maligned group are Accountants. Most of them that I have met, I usually get to know very well. And I usually like them. You need this type of advice and if you don't have the correct mentality for figures or taxation laws, you will need to hire one. Just like solicitors, you need to be recommended to them. The only problem here is that one accountant may be very good in one aspect and may leave a lot to be desired in another. Try to find someone in the financial or business position you plan to be in a few years time and get them to recommend someone. If they hesitate and then seem to convince themselves first as to whether they can help you, don't bother.
d. If your stomach turned at reading the word 'Partners' or if you feel uncomfortable, please be very careful. Whether we are talking personal partners or business partners is irrelevant. And remember too, that if you are planning to have a business partner you will probably spend more time with them than with your spouse. You can be with your business partner for 50 hours per week and with your spouse (excluding sleeping time) for as little as 43 hours per week.
e. Local Government Authorities are words that make me cringe. Now I am sure there must be some very nice people who work in local authorities, it's just that I have never met any yet. I live in hope. Working in local government institutions is one of the very few places that you can work while hating the world and everyone in it. Whether it is difficult to be sacked or whether there is actually a reward system in place for the rudest and most difficult people, I don't really know.