Life Is a Mirror, Smile at It

Life is a mirror, try smiling at it.

I have an entrepreneur friend who is almost always happy, positive and fun to be around. He loves to dress up as Elvis at parties and belt out a few songs. He’s warm, well liked and generous and a little ‘larger than life’.

When I asked him what his secret was, he said something that was both simple and astounding: “I just never miss an opportunity to share a genuine compliment. When I think something positive about another person, I say it out loud. Most people keep their positive thoughts to themselves.”

He went on to say: “If I enjoy a meal, I’ll compliment the chef. If I like my wife’s new haircut, I’ll tell her on the spot. If a colleague does something that impresses me at work, I’ll tell them how I feel.”

It’s not hard but so few of us do it. If you want your influence to grow, appreciate more, criticise less.

In the words of Dale Carnegie himself: “Did you ever stop to think that a dog is the only animal that doesn’t have to work for a living? A hen has to lay eggs, a cow has to give milk, and a canary has to sing. But a dog makes his living by giving you nothing but appreciation.”

We can all try being a little more like my friend. A tip of the hat to Daniel “Dicko” Dickson.

The mirror smiles back, Daniel Dickson.