You Control Your Attitude

Over the weekend, I stopped at Publix, (a very well run grocery store chain in Florida) to pick up a few things. I began at the deli counter. A young woman that was brand new waited on me. She knew very little about what she was doing and although it took her a while, she had an amazing attitude. What I liked most about her is that every time I ordered something, not only did she give me one slice to sample, she continued to feed me extras throughout the process. I made it a point to find the manager before I left the store. I gave him the woman’s name and let him know how pleasant my experience had been. He told me that he would be buying her lunch as a result of my comment. The realization is that you control your attitude.

When I arrived home, my wife informed me that I had forgotten the eggs. Rather than go all the way back to Publix, I decided to go to another grocery store which was closer. Since I normally don’t do the shopping, I am not familiar with the store. I asked an employee where the eggs were. She let out a sigh like I was bothering her, and without raising her head to look at me, told me they were in aisle one. When I checked out, the cashier was complaining very loudly to the bagger about how she was “sick and tired of working every Saturday and if the manager thinks I am going to keep doing this he has another thing coming.” The realization is that you control your attitude.

In daily life, I choose to put myself in positive environments whenever possible. I have made a conscious decision to avoid negative people. I am a happier person as a result.

In business, there is simply no place for people with bad attitudes. We all influence the people we interact with. People with bad attitudes empower others like themselves. Organizations must either eliminate the behavior or replace the individual(s). If you choose to complain, you should have a productive solution to the problem. As a customer, you have options. Choose to do business with organizations that value their employees and weed out negativity. As for me, I will never again step foot in that second store.

This week, take the opportunity to examine the people that you interact with. Take steps to reduce or eliminate your exposure to negative people. Actively seek out positive people with good attitudes. When you have a positive experience, find a way to recognize the individual that made it possible. Just remember, you control your attitude.