Go Positive. Go First. And be constant in doing it.
- Peter Kaufman
Monday Minute is a little different this week. I saw this quotation awhile back and felt it would be a good topic to write about.There are innumerable stories about the great commanders of history. There are at least as many stories about fictional leaders. Did you notice the common thread between them?
They aren’t passive. Whether they’re lawmen or generals, business moguls or patriots, they were active.
Go First
Take Elon Musk for example. Twitter didn’t control his actions. So far as we can tell, wasn’t passively waiting for them to come to him. He found a way to act. And when his first actions didn’t get him what he wanted, he pushed forward and bought the whole dang thing.
When it was clear Twitter was lying about its number of users, he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t sue. He just said he wouldn’t buy it unless they fixed it.
Take Politics For Example
Most politicians, candidates, and consultants focus on message control.
“Don’t campaign to early because voters are tired of politicians. They don’t want to hear from you right now.”
I think voters are tired of broken promises. They’re tired of politicians who only come around like a salesman trying to make sales quota. But I firmly believe that voters want to hear from someone who is different, who will be different.
Take Trump. Like him or hate him, voters who couldn’t be bothered to vote before were paying attention and voting.
Take Obama. Like him or hate him, people listened to what he had to say.
Go Positive
Being positive is key. Like him or hate him, Trump wasn’t very positive. He didn’t really care about being positive. Neither did his hardcore supporters.
Yes, people paid attention, but not being positive definitely laid the groundwork for 2020. People can be blunt and still speak gracefully. I think Trump wins if he figures that out.
Be Constant
I can feel the eyes rolling.
“Are you kidding me?!? I have to keep annoying people all the time just to achieve my goals?”
First, that’s not what I’m saying. Kaufman isn’t writing a self help book. He’s talking about changing the way we think and approach problems.
Second, even if he wasn’t talking about that, think about it. If we’re more positive, and we’re focused on being the first to act, the first to help, the first to speak up, and the first to fight for what’s right, we won’t be annoying.
For example, I tell my kids I love them (be positive). I tell them often. It is literally one of the first things I tell them in the morning (be first). And I tell them frequently throughout the day (be constant).
By consistently telling them I love them first, I hope it frames everything else I do as an expression of my love for them.
Clean your room becomes, I love you and that means I’m asking you to do this because it’s good for you.
Conclusion
Does it work? I have no clue if it works on them. I have faith it will be something they remember.
It has changed me. My focus isn’t on their lack of compliance, or any issues I do or don’t have with cleanliness. I am more focused on my kids. And that makes all the difference. Isn’t that what we’re trying to do?
