WHAT APPEARS TO BE

Thank you, Johnny! Here’s what our participants in the Game Show of Business can win today. One lucky participant will earn a promotion to the job of their choice! (Applause.) While another lucky participant will receive a big, fat bonus! (Applause.) And, Johnny, today’s champion will walk away with a brand new boat and the instructions to sink it themselves! (Applause and stomp feet.)

WHAT MIGHT BE

“To win a boat and sink it too, all you need to do is:

– Focus on all the things going wrong in your life!

– Complain about the wackos you’re forced to work with!

– Sabotage your boss by telling others how stupid he is!

– Demonstrate your wisdom by telling others what they’re doing wrong!

– Complain to others about how negative everyone at work is!

– Then carry your troubles home so your family can get a glimpse of what’s really important in life!

“And, Johnny, today only, our champion has the chance to play double jeopardy! If our champion can successfully blame two consecutive employers for their current, rotten state of affairs, then they’ll receive TWO boats to sink! (Stand and applause.)

“Okay, Johnny, let’s punch the time clock and play the Game Show of Business!”

WHAT CAN BE

Do you know anyone who is a regular participant on this crazy show? It’s remarkable, isn’t it, how we can effectively “sink our own boat” by sabotaging our own results?

There’s a Native American saying, which says, “Go ahead and think the thoughts you want. You’re the one who has to live with them.” What sort of thoughts are you hosting? Are you guiding your thoughts? Or are your thoughts guiding you? And what sort of results are you getting?

Want to keep your boat afloat? Ask questions like this instead:

– What experience do I want to have today?

– Why is it important for me to guide thoughts?

– How can I be at my best right now?

What is the difference between what “might be” and what “can be”?  You decide.