The problem with pessimism

One student I spoke with yesterday has a real problem.
He’s a high school junior who admits he has a rotten attitude.
He said he has trained himself not to expect too much.
That way, he said, he’s never disappointed by what happens.
He also admits he has the brains to do high school work.
But he doesn’t apply himself or turn in his homework on time.
He even puts himself down and tells himself he’s fat.
Why are you telling me all this? I asked.
Because you seem to have it all together, he said.
He just can’t seem to develop a positive attitude about school.
What do you have a positive attitude toward? I asked.
Nothing, he said. My parents split up. I live with my sister.
If I mess up in school, she’s going to kick me out of her house.
Do you want her to evict you? I asked. Where would you live?
He had no answer. Wow, I thought. This kid is trouble.
I can’t help you, I said. Being a pessimist is your choice.
It’s a choice we all make. We choose our own attitudes.
A guidance counselor was listening to this exchange.
She and I agreed he really needs counseling.
Have you met people like him? You can feel for them.
But be careful of them. They will drag you down with them.
Real leaders are positive. They look for the good in people.
They anticipate challenges and prepare for them.
They assess opportunities and go for those that make sense.
I’ll spend four hours with young professionals today.
I’ll share some of what we discuss in next week’s blog.
For more on personal leadership, please click here.

Fulfilling your purpose

Do you feel that you have found your great purpose in life?
I asked Lexington High School students that question yesterday.
I told them that unfortunately many people never find theirs.
Some don’t even know they need to look for it.
We are born with a great purpose. There’s just one catch.
We come without an instruction manual.
We have to find our great purpose for ourselves.
It took me a long time to find mine.
This made me want to help others find theirs.
That’s why I wrote "Your Life’s Great Purpose".
In September, I will be teaching a course to help you find yours.
It will be at Midlands Technical College in South Carolina.
"Your Life’s Great Purpose" comes with an autographed copy.
We will explore the eight key areas of life and set goals in each.
These include your faith, family, fun and community.
Your career, financial goals, mental growth and physical fitness.
You can download course information at www.mtctraining.com
The class meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at the Harbison campus.
The course is for seven weeks, Sept. 9 to Oct. 21.
You may register online or call 732-0432.
To watch a video interview about the book, just click here.
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