Published by Robert A. & Vicki L. Prentice of Professional Development Systems
March 26, 2007 Issue 241
From the Desk of Bob
Wow, what great inspiration! My teen-aged daughter just came in from riding her bike and gave me the biggest hug and told me that she "loves me big time." Wow! I am so blessed.
Let me pass this great big hug on to you, all my readers and friends.
Have a wonderful week full of great accomplishments and success! Bob
bob@mrattitudespeaks.com
In this week's issue
Life Attitudes
Seeds of Success: Asking Questions With The Right Attitude
Sunny Side of Life
Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools
Life Attitudes
"The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge."
-Thomas Berger
"To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions."
-Same Keen
"One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever."
-Chinese Proverb
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The Prairie Beacon
Seeds of Success: Asking Questions With The Right Attitude
By Robert A. Prentice
Have you ever said something that you later regretted? I am talking about the kind of statements where your internal monologue goes live and you say something that you later really wished you could retract or erase. Maybe you've made a statement criticizing or complaining about someone when they were not there to defend themselves, or you've judged a person negatively right to their face, not even having a clue why they may be acting the way they are acting. In doing this, it is likely that you have embarrassed yourself and hurt the other person's feelings pretty badly.
Take heart you are not alone. I know that many times I have gotten myself in trouble by making statements. I know that I have hurt the feelings of others, and I know that if only I would have asked more questions a lot of things might be different now. I have had to learn the hard way that this is one of the keys to success in life–asking questions, rather than making statements.
Asking questions is simply a smart thing to do. Developing a healthy curiosity about things and learning is good. Building positive relationships through healthy conversation is wise.
I have said for years that you can never get in trouble for asking questions with the right attitude. What do I mean, "with the right attitude"? Well, I believe you should not start asking questions with a demeaning tone or accusatory words and phrases, as this action will probably cause people to go on the defensive. Instead, you want to get people saying "yes" causing them to come into agreement with you by employing a cheerful, winsome, engaging attitude. This is the best way I know to begin the process of a healthy conversation.
By the way, if you know of someone whose feelings have been hurt because of statements you have made or questions you have asked in the wrong attitude, may I encourage you to go to that person to admit you were wrong and to let them know that you are sorry and ask them to forgive you? As we all know, restoration and healing is refreshing for both parties.
Sunny Side of Life
A young executive was leaving the office at 6:00 p.m. when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand.
"Listen," said the CEO, "this is important, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?"
"Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.
"Exellent, excellent!" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. "I just need one copy."
Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments Call to schedule Bob TODAY! 800.437.9715
Read on...
The Prairie Beacon
The Prairie Beacon is a monthly positive attitude paper, published by Mr. Attitude, featuring Seeds of Success articles, motivational stories, quotes and attitudes, all guaranteed to challenge and inspire it's readers to live a richer, fuller and happier life.
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Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools
Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments.
Bob says,"My training sessions consist of the principles, attitudes and skills that I have discovered over the course of my life, and that I aspire to practice in my day to day living. These are the Life- Tested Tools that I have to offer..."
KEYS TO BETTER LEADERSHIP
KEYS TO BETTER SELLING
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE
AND MORE!
Call to schedule Bob today! 800-437-9715
Check out website! www.mrattitudespeaks.com
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