“Make someone’s day” is a great recommendation. I read it in the book Fish written by Steven Lundin. He says it doesn’t have to be a life changing gesture. For some people at some times the phrase ‘How are you’ could change their life or make their day if used as a sincere and interested question; not just a facile greeting. And you can ‘make the day’ for a complete stranger, a customer, your five year old or a colleague at work.
A friendly smile … an unexpected gift … a favour without being asked … a helping hand … caring advice … shared knowledge … or a good laugh are also possible and realistic options. The increasing interest in and study of personal happiness lists the giving of sincere compliments as one of the most simple and powerful techniques available. And they are talking about the compliment giver increasing their personal happiness – not too bad a thing for the receiver either, methinks. Make two people’s day.
Another book I found very interesting was The Luck Factor written by Richard Wiseman. He was interested in what differentiated people who think they’re lucky versus those who perceive themselves to be unlucky.
He carried out a range of studies with both groups. One significant issue of difference he found was the ‘lucky’ tranche were more open to opportunity; watching out and listening for the chance to benefit (or win) in some way. Whereas the ‘unlucky’ tend to be less observant of opportunity and more focused on the task at hand.
He gave both groups a task (to count the number of pictures in a newspaper). The ‘unlucky’ concentrated, focused on the task at hand and correctly identified the 67 pictures. The ‘lucky’ also correctly came up with 67. But did it in a fraction of the time. How? They counted the 6 or 7 pics on the front page then on turning over they read the headline; THERE ARE 67 PICTURES IN THIS PAPER, YOU CAN STOP COUNTING.
Learning? Give yourself a good ‘chance to win’. As they say – “If you’re not in you can’t win”. But I’m not just talking about the Lotto. I’m also referring to the ‘Relationship Raffles’ we encounter every day. The five year old… the Customer… the complete stranger and others. Be on the lookout for opportunity to make their day.