It was while having breakfast with my young daughter (10 years of age) this morning that I heard her announce that she “hates to do…..“. My response to her was along the lines of “Well if that’s how you feel about doing XYZ then I’m pretty sure that you won’t enjoy it…and more than that you probably won’t do very well at it either”.
I thought about my daughter’s expression in the context of adult achievement. How many times have you heard adults describe an activity that they’re not fond of as something that they “hate” ? I hear it quite a bit. I take exception to the word “hate” being used…at all. Why ? I feel that it is one of those words that polarizes opinions and people…and can cause a situation to be “perceived” as being much worse than it actually is. Most significantly, it is a word that is underpinned with “negative” connotations, produces “ill feeling” or at least an uncomfortable feeling in those who hear the word being spoken, and often causes people to either back away from even attempting to perform the task/ activity that they “hate” or end-up applying themselves to the given task/ activity in a “half-heartted” manner only.
If we tell ourselves that we “hate” doing something, or can’t do something, our brain interprets this to be the truth of the matter – and thereafter it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy (i.e. we turn our back on the challenge/ activity or we reluctantly apply ourselves to it) and a mediocre outcome (only) results. The strange thing about the human brain is that it tends to believe virtually everything that we think or say !
Try telling yourself instead that “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into that assignment” or “I’ve been thinking about a novel way of approaching the next block of work in front of me which will mean I will enjoy it more”…or similar positively-laced thoughts.
As I’ve mentioned in earlier blogs, the power of positive attitude and thought is truly awesome. It is a prerequisite for being innovative…and innovation is a key attribute of successful organisations and leaders. You’ll be surprised to see what happens when you allow positive thoughts and feelings to run through you…your outlook will become more positive, you will feel new aspiration/ inspiration to want to achieve/ succeed along with renewed energy and drive.
And…you will become that much more attractive to other people !