Optimism Helps
August 11, 2009
By Zig Ziglar
I’m truly fortunate because I am optimistic by nature. I might not spend my last two dollars to buy a money belt, but I am very optimistic about the future.
Dr. William Arthur Ward said that “the doors of opportunity are open to the optimist. Gates of achievement swing wide for the person who sees infinite possibilities in the insignificant.”
Most of us would rather be around a person who sees hope in the future than one who sees nothing but trouble ahead. I’m talking about the kind of optimism which sees a solution in every problem, optimism that looks for the solution instead of concentrating on the problem.
In his 1828 Dictionary, Noah Webster said that optimism is the “opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for the best, or, the order of things in the universe that is adapted to produce the most good.” The pessimist and pessimism are not identified by Noah Webster in his dictionary.
Optimism is a valid approach to life because when we encounter difficulties, if we are optimistic we will immediately start thinking about a solution to the difficulty, whereas the pessimist will look at a problem and ask, “I wonder what’s going to happen next?” or say, “There’s nothing I can do.”
The interesting thing is psychologists will tell you those are self-fulfilling prophecies. That’s the reason I so love what Dr. Ward says about optimism: “Deep optimism is aware of problems, but recognizes the solution; knows about difficulties, but believes they can be overcome; sees the negative, but accentuates the positive; is exposed to the worst, but expects the best; has reason to complain, but prefers to smile.”
I rest my case and encourage you to think optimistically because if you do, I will see you at the top!
Zig Ziglar is a teacher and motivator. He offers a newsletter filled with more of his inspiring stories as well as practical ideas to help you in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, and related topics. You can visit him at www.zigziglar.com.
Must Reads for Success
May 29, 2009
See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition
Zig Ziglar
(Pelican Publishing Company, 2000)
There’s room for you at the top! Zig Ziglar’s message has inspired millions to change their lives by helping them do, be and have more than they dared dream possible.
For more than three decades, Zig Ziglar, one of the great motivators of our age, has traveled the world, encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring audiences. His groundbreaking best seller, “See You at the Top,” remains an authentic American classic. Its basic premise–you can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want–has guided generations of readers to personal success.
This revised and updated twenty-fifth anniversary edition stresses the importance of honesty, loyalty, faith, integrity, and strong personal character. “See You at the Top” emphasizes the value of a healthy self-image and shows how to build it. Personal goals are an essential part of any program for success. This important book tells you how to set–and achieve–those goals, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to change the way you think about yourself and your surroundings
“See You at the Top” is widely used by corporations large and small, schools, government agencies, correctional institutions, and sales organizations–wherever motivation and self-improvement are considered major priorities. It has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and has sold more than 1 million hardcover copies. Also available as an audiocassette. Zig Ziglar is the author of fifteen other books, including “Steps to the Top,” “Dear Family,” and “Confessions of a Happy Christian.”
About the Author
Zig Ziglar is one of America’s most widely read and most listened to motivational speakers. Since 1970, he has traveled over five million miles across the world, delivering his powerful life-improvement messages, cultivating the energy of change.
A well-known authority on complete and balanced success, Ziglar has been recognized three times in the Congressional Record of the United States for his work with youth in the drug war and for his dedication to America and the free-enterprise system. Zig Ziglar’s corporation, Ziglar Training Systems, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is built on the same philosophies he expounds to his audiences–hard work, common sense, fairness, commitment, and integrity. His client list includes thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government agencies, churches, schools, and nonprofit associations.
Productivity and Attitude
May 13, 2009
By Zig Ziglar
I’m the only one who does anything around here! Several years ago I was on a late-night television show in New York City. For some strange reason, they wanted me in the studio that afternoon at 4:30.
I walked in and was stunned by the small size of the reception area. It contained a couch for three, a chair for one and a sink, refrigerator and coffee maker.
As I sat down a woman walked in, shook her head and said, “Nobody makes any coffee except me!” She got busy and started a fresh pot of coffee.
A few minutes later a guy walked in and, following the same procedure said, “I can’t believe it! This place would be a pig-pen if it weren’t for me! I’m the only person who ever does any clean-up,” and he cleaned up the small area.
Still later another woman walked in and complained, “Nobody ever puts anything up but me,” and she proceeded to put things away.
Interestingly enough, all three of those people sincerely felt they were the only ones who ever did anything. Each one did their own private halo-adjustment as they went through the process of “making up, putting up and cleaning up.”
Question: Is that the way it is in your company, where “nobody does anything,” but everybody thinks they’re the only one who actually works?
Thought: If that is true and you are the only one who does anything, think of the incredible advantage that gives you. Not only do you have job security, but the opportunity door is wide open for your move to the top.
However, if you have a chip on your shoulder, if you honestly feel that you do everything and you share that feeling with others, your bad attitude negates your good work. So, stay busy, keep working, smile about it and your good attitude about “doing everything” will catch up with you.
Think about it and I’ll see you at the top!
_________
