24 hour challenge

Paul in Cannon Beach

I really admire positive people. I think they are enjoyable to be around. I think they are healthier and more succesful than negative people.

I know I could be much more positive than I am, especially with my family.

So I am going to challenge myself to try to go 24 hours without saying anything negative.

Obviously, this could be challenging at work. But I still want to try to remain positive even if I am dealing with an employee situation or discipline problem.

24 hours. Stay positive. Avoid negative comments or a criticism.

Ready..... Go!

(p.s. Don't worry. This is not the return of Sickeningly Positive Paul from awhile back)

allsteaks

Go for it Paul, we're all behind you (wondering what that is we're looking at).. We have a great group of cheerleaders (when they get back from under the stands) ready to yell at you, encouragingly of course!
Just don't get all uppity on us. Ray and I are always positive anyway.....

ritaanz

Thank goodness that day is over.

NaeNae55

Go for it Paul! You can do it!

There is always a way to turn something into a positive. My neice recently made her son write sentences when he told a lie. He started them: "I will not lie." She changed them to: "I will always tell the truth because I am an honest person." See! Even when you are in trouble you can make it a positive experience. x;-)

joannie

Paul, Buddy, I'm here for ya!

Paul in Cannon Beach

I have about 11 hours left of my 24 hour challenge. The night time hours were easy as I was asleep and unable to say anything negative.

But now I am at work and its going to be more difficult.

NaeNae55

Oops! Was that a negative comment?

I know. You meant to say, 'But now I am at work and though it will be more difficult I will perservere!' Right?

Keep at it Paul! You CAN DO IT!!!!

joannie

I don't know Nae, this nice, positive Paul is a bit boring, don't you think? I kinda miss "Paul the Rabble Rouser".:-?

NaeNae55

Yes, but it is only for 24 hours. It's kind of fun watching him struggle with it doncha think?

ray a

Can you picture his coworkers needling him trying to get him to be bad?

joannie

Where's Q? I bet she can get him to be negative about something!

HRQ

Normally I'd rise to the challenge, but I am tempted to get in my car and just drive away for a while. Maybe eat a Frosty (or six) then go shoe shopping or do some other totally non-work related thing.

We'll see if I can get the winds to change in the next few hours, though. It's more fun to be snarky than whiney and overwhelmed. x:P

ray a

Will that be a vanilla or a chocolate frosty?

HRQ

Five chocolate, one vanilla. I'll pretend to enjoy the vanilla just so you will think you are missing something. x:D

ray a

Now you have me craving a Frosty.

joannie

No place close to here to get a Frosty, but the little bistro just across the alley makes the world's best buttermilk pie. I just walked over and picked up a piece so I can sit at my desk, enjoy good conversation with friends and satisy my sweet craving all at the same time.

ray a

Would you girls cut that out!!! I can't have that stuff!!!!

joannie

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Was that pie good. The crust was sooooo flaky and the top was the most beautiful golden brown, yet the inside was so light and sweet. Almost melted in my mouth.x:9

ray a

I'm not tempted. I'm too young to die.

joannie

How much sugar in those Mt. Dews? And don't tell me you drink the diet ones. I've tasted them and they are nastyyyy!

ray a

I never drink the diet stuff, it is nasty. Besides, sometimes the artificial sweeteners used are far more dangerous than sugar.

joannie

Maybe we should all go organic.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Being positive is not that hard really. REMEMBERING to be positive is the hard part.

I havent slipped up yet.

joannie

Hey Paul,
If you have to remember to be positive, doesn't that mean that you are still thinking in the negative?

HRQ

You GO, girl! x:D Paul didn't say he was only going to "say" positive things. He said he was going to "be" positive. To me, that includes thoughts and attitude.

NeedCoffee

I just had a Frosty (no really, I did). Chocolate. It was delicious yet oddly unsatisfying. Much in the same way Paul probably feels unsatisfied that he cannot be snarky.

Poor Paul.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I guess I am the only person taking my challenge seriously. That's ok. It doesn't bother me.

I am not sure I was able to make it through work being totally positive. Its much harder than I thought. I am pretty honest and I dont filter alot.

Now I am back home and this is really where I want to be more positive around my wife and kids.

I have been home for 30 minutes and I think I just slipped up.

HRQ

The [b]positive[/b] reaction to that would be to teach your children that we all slip up, and acknowledging it and trying to do better is all we can ask.

Making it a "learning opportunity" might net out the negative thought/words/action.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Just 15 minutes more...

We had another "learning opportunity" at dinner time.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Ok, technically the challenge is over. I think I failed for the most part. It was very difficult, especially at home.

Still, I think overall, I found that trying to be positive still reaped some benefits. There were a few things I didnt say that probably didnt need to be said.

I am going to continue to try to be more positive overall. Not that I am a very negative person. But I think I am too critical, especially with my family.

I also think that as HR Manager, being more encouraging and positive with my staff will be a good thing. At the very least, I will be setting a good example that others might follow.

allsteaks

Good for you Paul! We are looked to for positive reinforcement as well as professional expertise. And trust me, you need to build up all the positive energy you can before your kids become teenagers!!!