Have you ever thought how you might reduce, reuse, and recycle your attitudes to maintain the integrity of your business? Think of it as increasing your emotional imprint as you decrease your carbon footprint.
Here's how that can happen.
REDUCE - What attitudes continue to hold you back from moving your business forward? Do you shy away from taking the next step because the last one felt a bit shaky? Do you tell yourself you're not capable, or that today’s economy is at fault? That’s the language of naysayers. “No,” “not,” and “can’t.” Turn your tongue the other way, and let “sure,” “yes,” and “can do” spill out. When you reduce the negative thoughts that keep you mired in stuckness, you create a space for healthier, supportive attitudes that propel you and your business to greater heights.
Reducing negative thoughts isn't as simple as replacing them with positive thoughts and affirmations, however. First understand the core beliefs behind your negative thoughts. For example, what is at the heart of the beliefs that cause you to struggle with your business, if that's the case? Did someone once say you wouldn’t amount to anything? Do you see technology as “out to get to you?” Are you afraid your customers don’t trust you? These are assumptions disguised as beliefs, and unless you substantiate them as true, they are mere perceptions.
Ask yourself, “What do I know to be true?” Change your beliefs to reflect the real truths in your life. Reduce the attitudes that drag you down. Reuse and recycle the attitudes that sustain you and your business.
REUSE – Did you bounce back from a layoff and start your business within a few weeks or months? Did you recover from a financial setback without blaming everyone around you? Did you resolve a customer service issue with mutual satisfaction? Think about what it took to get you there. - resilience, determination, curiosity, vulnerability, perhapes even, confidence. Those feelings and attitudes worked well for you at least once. They will support you again and again whenever you use them.
Attitudes that helped you in one circumstance can get you through another. Positive attitudes come with a lifetime warranty, but they don't work if you don't use them. You’re the manufacturer, so if something’s not working, maybe its time for a recall. Exchange your old negative model for one that is encouraging and high-spirited.
RECYCLE - An attitude begets another attitude begets another attitude. Either way. Positive or negative. If you feel hopeful, inspired, happy, and enthusiastic, you'll gain optimism, joy, tenacity, and contentment. If you feel frustrated, defeated, gloomy, and miserable, you'll find despair, shame, sadness, and disillusion. Begin each day with a healthy, wholesome attitude. Your business and your life look so much better from that viewpoint.
Give it a try. Notice now how you feel when you are hopeful. Now notice how you feel when you are sad. Which attitude energizes you? Which attitude reminds you to take one step at a time and savor it? Which attitude has you picking up the phone or sending a note of thanks?
Yes, there will be times when customers don’t return, suppliers increase their prices, or your website crashes. Feel the emotion that descends upon you. If it feels gloomy, invite it to stay a while as you adjust to the change that has occurred. Then gently let it go. If it lingers, it will overstay its welcome.
As you put the three R’s into action, ask yourself these questions.
Your business. Your attitude. Your choice.
Learn more about the author, Patricia Klingler.
Patricia, I enjoyed reading this and like the parallel to going green. I wonder how many people are so focused on the waste and trash and not on how they affect the world with their attitude and outlook.
You are a beacon of light - thank you for this reminder article!
Thanks for your feedback, Lori.
~ Patricia
Patrician, well done. Thanks for writing this article.
Patricia, Nicely written - comparing our attitudes to the 'green' theme. Thank you -- we can all use these reminders on a daily basis to preserve a positive outlook on work & life!
~ Kathy www.colorswithconfidence.com 206-938-2003
Joe and Kathy,
Your comments are greatly appreciated. These extra-hot days of late remind me to focus on the upsides of whatever comes our way.
~ Patricia
Patricia, I give you a ten because there is so much out there to reduce, recycle and resuse. You did a good job of bringing it all together. No green washing here-it is an important message. Terra
Thanks, Terra,
Yes, it's a lesson I've learned on those days when plans didn't go as intended. I recall how I feel during the best of times and that gets me through the shaky moments.
~ Patricia
Praticia, Timely, really. You are a gem!
Patricia... Great article about a subject we all need to remind ourselves about. I like your analogies and promise to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle my attitude daily.
May I request that you Recycle it on the Biznik - Entrepreneurial Junkies Group so we can benefit from your wisdom.
If you post it, I will approve it. Thanks. ...Howard
Patricia, this is an outstanding article! I love the comparison to our external environment – brilliantly written with a powerful and insightful message for all.
Howard, I'd be delighted to send this on over to Entrepreneurial Junkies. Before I do that, though, I will incorporate some ideas I've received to improve the article. Thanks for the suggestion and offer.
Patricia, thank you for your comment, especially since I know how you understand the power of living from the inside out.
~ Patricia
So Patricia,
I had thought I had responded and commented on this fine article when it first appeared. But I see I am not in the string so I appreciate your email today for it prompted me to re-read this piece.
The simple notion of reduce, reuse, and recycle as a mantra to be mindful of what matters most, honor what is working and supporting sustainability is my intended "thought" and I thank you for suggesting these three potent words.
It all continuously boils down yet again to attitude, attitude, attitude and it ties in nicely with a favored anonymous quote I have been using for years.
"Speak well of yourself ALWAYS for your DEEP mind is listening.
And that our thoughts create a force, so think the good and the green ones!
I want also to say I appreciate your presence and voice for having been with you on more than one occasion, I can hear you as I read every word. Gracious and inspirational you.
Did you post this on your blog as well?
Deborah Drake Enrollment Specialist
You Be the Expert. Let me be your evangelist.
Thank you, Patricia, for such a fabulous article. I think I can do it!
Patricia,
What a great article! I don't remember seeing it when it first was published.
I particularly agree with: "Reducing negative thoughts isn't as simple as replacing them with positive thoughts and affirmations, however. First understand the core beliefs behind your negative thoughts."
That's the place where a lot of people get stuck -- not being able or willing to deepen their understanding of how their limiting beliefs came about in the first place. Thanks for the reminder that we are AT CHOICE about the attitudes we can Reduce, Reuse & Recycle!
Patricia, Your article is timeless and so valuable! Thank you. I can see how I have allowed myself to get caught in the undertowatf times when things did not work out as I planned and how returning to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE will help. The next time I find myself doubting.
Believing that we can green our attitudes, our businesses, and our economy will help make it so! Your attitude and your abilitly to write a clear, inviting article help these concepts go viral! Gracias!
Bookmark article
Follow article
Email to a friend
Share 
