Attitudes – Are You Being Infected or Affected?

We have all met them. It’s 6 o’clock in the morning and you are already on the phone, short sale files in hands, waiting to hear the usual greetings from the lender you are calling: “What is the loan number, property address, name of borrowers,” etc. Then you hear: “We have not received the 55-page fax that you sent. Please re-send to the loan mitigation department.” This was your third attempt.

Or, how about this scenario: You are in the checkout lane at your local market and you have a lot in your mind. A listing presentation to get ready for clients, your son’s tennis tournament, your daughter’s dental appointment, your other half’s surprise birthday party, etc. You have been in the line for 15 minutes without moving. Sound familiar? Finally it’s your turn and you begin unloading the cart. You make eye contact with the cashier and she says in her most sincere and aloha voice, “I’m so sorry for your wait. I hope you found everything you needed…. Mahalo, and have a great day!”

I am sure you have experienced these situations or similar ones. What is your reaction to each of these people? How do they shape the rest of your day?

I believe that our attitudes are contagious. We need to be fully aware of what is affecting our disposition. In the first example, if we are not careful, we can drown ourselves in negativity. Then, it gets worse, as we carry it forward. We spread the virus, like a cold we got from one person and then passed on to another.

In the second example, there is a chance that, even if it’s just for a short while, that the cashier’s attitude will diffuse some of our stress. We respond to her in the same manner as she spoke to us, with aloha and positive attitude. What happens next? We pass it on! We find ourselves smiling at the next customer on our way out. The point is, our attitudes are contagious!

What will you choose to spread today?