October 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

WORKPLACE WISDOM NEWSLETTER

People Are Watching You

America is facing tough challenges.

The media magnifies and sensationalizes our troubles.

We, as an American people, ARE concerned, even depressed.

We're told that things have not

been this bad in our world for 2 or 3 generations!

What do I think? I think others are watching me.

• If I am negative, I can generate a negative environment around me.

• If I talk about how worried I am, I foster "worry" and see it grow in

others.

• If I sensationalize "bad news", I become part of the problem.

• However,.....

• If I can radiate hope, I watch my encouragement change another

person.

• If I can find "the lesson" and teach it to others, I have helped carve a

better future.

• If I can take care of my responsibilities, I am not blaming or leaning

on others.

Will my setting a positive example make any difference with today's

challenges?

• Yes, because group - or team - behavior is contagious. You ARE

watched.

• Yes, because leaders find followers saying and behaving the same

as they behave.

• Yes, ONLY positive, forward-thinkers will change the world for the

better.

• Yes, there's a longing for a "positive voice". People WANT good

news.

None of us have any idea how many people we influence in a lifetime.

• Our own family - silently, they watch us through times of ease and

stress.

October 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

• Co-workers - silently, they watch us handle successes and

challenges.

• Neighbors - silently, they watch us extend (or not extend) a helpful

hand.

• Friends - silently, they watch us deal with issues that elate and

disturb us.

• Casual encounters - silently, we demonstrate our values.

One woman told me, "I like for you to come into our shop. You always have a smile and a

positive word to say." (The store owner was watching.)

One couple said to their physician, "When you spend time with us, you cheer us up!" (The

couple was watching!)

A participant in one of my workshops said the opposite: "My boss never smiles and never

has a nice word for anyone. He acts angry and only wants more-and-more production. It's

NEVER enough!" (Your employees are watching, "Mr. Boss".)

So what can we "DO" in these VERY CHALLENGING TIMES?

Here are a few suggestions, always remembering "others are watching us":

• We must be practical - and behave prudently.

• We must speak positively about our country.

• We must remember the price paid for us to live in freedom.

• We must find solutions that are beneficial now AND in our future.

• We must never forget that we're an example and others are watching us.

Years ago, I heard a sermon that has stuck with me. It was titled:

"Without hope, we wander!"

The message was that hopelessness leads to aimlessness. The one most sustaining

thing we can do is to never lose "hope". We hear it often said of terminally ill patients,

"Their hopeful attitude drove their recovery!" Hope is not squishy, silly, or superficial.

Hope is at the root of all the good we do or will ever do, both personally and

professionally. We WORK toward a better way. We EXPECT things to "work out for the

good". We BELIEVE that we can make a positive difference.

Others are watching. On a daily basis, the media recites statistics that

bring us fearful, sad, or negative news. Statistical results are manipulated

by a host of variables (that are often not mentioned). To get the results

wanted for a story, simply adjust a few variables, then report "AN AMAZING

NEWS RELEASE"!!!

College "Statistics 101" taught me that!

October 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

I suggest you "part ways" with the media when:

• Their "statistics" for an economic recovery cause you to lose hope.

• Their "statistics" for reporting that our benevolence to other people/nations

is hopeless.

• Their "statistics" of how much our country is divided leads you to feel good

will is hopeless.

• Their "statistics" discourage you from doing your best at work and at

home.

STOP!

YOU DO HAVE INFLUENCE!

Use your influence in a positive way.

It will be YOU and ME that bring us through these difficult times.

We live in a democracy. Use your influence to speak positively

about our world, our country, our companies, our economy, our

neighbors....and most of all about those we love.

Use hopeful self-talk.

Demonstrate your "HOPE".

Let your heart be filled with "HOPE",

and then,…

hopeful words come from your mouth

and proactive behavior results!

This nation is in OUR hands.

Make today a great one in America!

Influence those who are watching.