"Three Best Things"

Here is a brief synopsis of the following article (726 words):
"Three Best Things" by Gary Lockwood
When my sons were very young, I taught them a game. In turn,
that game taught me a valuable lesson that still works for
me today.

Play the game and you will restore your confidence and your
sense of well-being. Start today and gain a new perspective,
a higher energy level and increased creativity.

If you use the article below, please let me know. Thanks.

SUCCESS to You...
Gary Lockwood

P.S. I have posted a dozen or more articles for you at my website.
Feel free to click on over to http://www.bizsuccess.com/articles

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"Three Best Things"

My two sons, Dan and Doug, were five and six years old.

On their fist day of school, we started a new game. At dinner that
evening, I asked, "Boys, what was the fun-est thing you did today"?

Watching their response, I could tell what they were thinking.
"Oh-Oh; Daddy's on a new kick again". Regardless, Doug and
Dan each told of something fun and interesting they did that day.
I contributed by relating to them something weird and funny that
had happened at my office that day (something weird was happening
at my office almost every day, it seems).

We laughed at each other's stories and went on to enjoy a delightful
dinner together.

The next evening, I again asked them, "Boys, what was the fun-est
thing you did today"? This time, they each had one ready to tell.
And I once again told them about something weird and funny that
had happened at my office that day. As the first evening, we
laughed and had a good time with this.

Each evening at dinner, I asked the same question. By the end of
the first week, the boys could see that this was going to be a regular
thing. They came to the dinner table already knowing what their
evening's story would be.

In the weeks to follow, Doug and Dan each had at least one fun thing
to tell and sometimes two or three. They even competed to see who
had the fun-est story. Dan would say, "I want to go first. My story
is better than Doug's".

After a while, it almost seemed that these boys were making fun things
happen during the day, just so they could tell about it at dinner. We
laughed a lot and enjoyed each story.

Where was their focus? That's right; on the positive things that were
going on with them. During this time of their lives, do you suppose
that Dan and Doug had any unpleasant things happening to them or
around them? Of course they did! We all have negative events and
negative people in our lives.

I just didn't want the negatives to be their primary focus. I wanted
my sons to see past the unpleasantness around them and experience
the positive.

How many times do you end your day stewing about?
The heavy traffic
The report that didn't get finished
People who haven't returned your calls
Deals that are dragging on
The computer's not working correctly
And on, and on, and on.

I am not suggesting that you ignore the challenges in your life.
I AM suggesting that you just not dwell there.

Successful entrepreneurs develop their positive attitudes because
they feed on progress.

At the end of each day, instead of recounting all the difficulties and
all that remains undone, write your accomplishments. Write the
three most positive, interesting things that happened to you this
day (the fun-est things). You can literally end each day on a
positive note by jotting down the three best things that happened
this day.

These may be things that happened to you, people around you,
events that just felt good to you, or just a sunny day. Some of the
most rewarding things to capture are your own actions. Often, there
is no one around to acknowledge your achievements, especially
those little ones that happen in the course of the day. By focusing
a few minutes on your accomplishments, you give yourself a little
pat on the back and recognize progress, even when small.

Having a positive attitude toward your business and toward life in
general may be one of the most important characteristics of success-
ful people. In my years of experience as a Business Coach, I have
observed many successful entrepreneurs. With very few exceptions,
those who are successful and happy have developed and maintained
a positive outlook.

A positive attitude is not accidental. Successful entrepreneurs know
how to create a positive attitude for themselves. They don't just
wait for it to happen.

Start today. Write down or tell someone about the three best things
that happened today. This recognition of the positive things in your
life will restore your confidence and your sense of well-being.
You will likely gain a new perspective, a higher energy level and
increased creativity.

Start now. "What was the fun-est thing *you* did today"?