Everybody could use some encouragement here in the U.S. these days, what with the daily gore of our Presidential Campaign and other painful news…

Negativity almost never leads to anything good. And yet, we are surrounded by negativity in our media, and on the news, and in movies. It’s a wonder that we can stay positive with so much negativity, or what one of my friends recently coined Nag-ativity. I think he’s onto something there.

Choose To Be A Force For Positive Change: Those of us who consider ourselves leaders must accept the mantle of leadership, even in times when the tide is against you, the current is against you, and the wind is against you. Nobody said it would be easy, and I believe someone said it would be lonely at the top, but we know we need to lead and lead by inspiring others to act. I love to do two things as a leader. I love to encourage people and challenge them.

A Little Encouragement Goes A Long Way: I watched some new parents playing with their baby at a local park the other day. The baby has not yet learned to walk. I saw how badly he wants to join Mommy and Daddy for a romp in the park, and he soon will be. Dad and Mom got down on the ground with this little guy and separated themselves by a distance of about a foot and a half. Mom held onto the little tyke while both Mom and Dad encouraged him to reach out to Daddy. Dad had a big smile on his face and a warm, friendly voice encouraging his son to come to Papa. Of course, that’s how people grow, we give them a chance and we encourage them with warmth while they muster their determination and figure out how to develop the new muscles that lead us to step confidently forward. I’m betting Junior is walking within a week or less…

Give The Gift Of Encouragement: I meet with a guy regularly who likes to thrash around as he tries to figure things out with his growing business. He has a definite tendency to get down on himself because his expectations are for instant gratification and instant perfection. I have to challenge him to re-evaluate his expectations of himself from time to time, but I’m careful to do it in an encouraging way. Beating people up for mistakes is just wrong. Lifting people up when they need to change their thinking to get better results lifts up BOTH of us. Remember that encouragement is a gift that we give to others, but that in a sneaky way it is also a gift that we give to OURSELVES. Enjoy the gift!

While negativity is a big part of our American culture (See Saturday Night Live) and is highly entertaining at times, we can tend to overdo it. Join the movement to be a force. Join the cause and be a catalyst for positive change in our world. You can make a difference, but you have to take the first step by deciding to do something positive and to encourage others to do likewise.

Michael is a positive guy who used to be a negative guy for too long. Having seen the error of his ways, he embarked on a new direction and made up his mind to be a force for positive growth and change in the world of business. Michael works with Business Owners, CEOS, and their Leadership Teams to try to help these leaders to find positive, constructive ways to deal with challenges and conflicts as they lead their organizations in a positive direction. Join the movement! Subscribe to Michael’s “Coffee With Michael” e-newsletter by emailing us at info@michaelbeachcoach.com or subscribe to Michael’s YouTube video channel “Michael Beach Coaching & Consulting” where you can watch free short videos on how to make your business stronger, and how to make the world a better place. Enjoy the journey!