How Are You Treating Life?

Many people greet others by asking "How's it going?" or "How's life treating you?"

My friend Naya wisely points out that the question isn't about how life treats you, rather it's about how you treat life.

I think this is a great topic to launch 2011. After all, we create the conditions that influence our outcomes, so it's to our benefit to think about how we treat life.

Consider how you're going to treat life in 2011. Are you going to let cranky people get you down? Or get angry when you're stuck in traffic? Or respond passively if your professional situation deteriorates?

You get the picture. It's your job to "treat life well" so you can pave the way for the results that you want.

This is all about attitude. If you expect the best, it will be hard to settle for mediocre. If you strive to create value in your work, it will be challenging to live in the land of Dilbert. If you want great relationships, it will be hypocritical to treat people badly.

I know someone who has had a series of major personal and professional setbacks in the past few months. She can't get beyond the "woe is me" mentality. She treats life passively, and dwells as a victim instead of moving ahead with her life.

In contrast, I know another person who has experienced comparable obstacles, who is determined to improve his situation and circumstances. He is resolute in reversing the negative conditions and creating a superior outcome.

It's your choice: how you treat life can put you in the driver's seat or the passenger's seat. I hope that you choose to drive in 2011.

Have a great week!