Sometimes, establishing and maintaining a positive mental attitude in business (or in your personal life for that matter) is less about being POSITIVE, and more about not being NEGATIVE. How many times have you planned to do something or agreed to do something, and before the day comes around you talk yourself out of it? This is often the case when something is outside of your comfort zone. You find excuses. David Schwartz called in Excusitis in his book The Magic of Thinking Big (great book by the way!).
This the story of Farmer McGinty and his neighbour Murphy and it's a great example...
The dry spell was due to set in and Farmer McGinty needed to plough his field. Unfortunateley his plough was broken.
"Never mind. My neighbour, Farmer Murphy has a great plough. I'll ask him if I can borrow it. He's a great chap. He'll have finished his ploughing and I'm sure he won't mind."
With that thought in mind Farmer McGinty set off to walk across the 3 or 4 miles to Farmer Murphy's property.
After the first mile Farmer McGinty starts to think."I hope Farmer Murphy really has finished all his own ploughing. Otherwise he won't be able to loan me his plough."
A few more minutes went by of walking and worrying and Farmer McGinty says to himself, "What if Murphy's plough is old and battered; he'll never be wanting to lend it to me then will he?"
Another mile went by and Farmer McGinty says, "That Murphy was never a helpful fellow. I reckon he won't want to lend me his wretched plough even if it's in perfect condition AND he's finished his ploughing!"
And so Farmer McGinty arrives at Farmer Murphy's farm. As he walks up the path he thinks, "That old bastard Murphy can be a mean old sod. I reckon even if he's got all his ploughing done, and his plough is sitting there spick and span doing nowt, he'll not lend it me just so's 'e can watch me go to ruin!"
He walks up Farmer Murphy's front path, knocks on the door.
"Well top of the morning to you Farmer McGinty. What can I do for you?" says Farmer Murphy as he answers the door.
Farmer McGinty's eyes bulge, his face reddens and he yells, "You can take your bloody plough, and you can shove it up your bloody arse!"
Keep smiling, keep training
Mike
