Use these simple tips to seek out bright spots and make a difference.
Staying positive can be difficult at times. When things are not going as we hoped, we often focus on what’s wrong with the situation or look for alternative solutions that we can import. However, there is always something positive, no matter how small, in any situation. It’s just a matter of looking for the positive “bright spots” and emulating them.
In every team, department or company there are people doing great things, getting great results even with the same challenges and limited resources as you. It’s just a matter of finding them and learning from what they do differently. Here’s how you too can find bright spots that will help you achieve your goals.
1 Share best practices
Create a display area in your office canteen, set up a shared drive, or include space in your staff newsletter and intranet where people can showcase what they’re working on and the results they’re getting. This way you and your workmates can get inspired by what others are already doing and learn from them. Include a brief profile of the project lead with their contact details so people who want to know more can get in touch directly. This is also a great way to provide encouragement and recognition for your workmate’s effort.
2 Celebrate small wins
It’s easy to ignore the small steps forward and just focus on what still needs to be done instead. Make a habit of starting meetings with your workmates sharing what they have achieved in the past week plus the benefits gained for them, their team or the company. Celebrating small wins will help to keep everyone motivated to work towards the bigger goals plus surface great ways of doing things along the way.
3 Be curious and ask questions
Use your casual conversations in the hall, lift or canteen to ask your workmates what their working on. Asking “What fun things are you working on at the moment?” is a great way to hear what others are excited about and how they are making progress. You never know what ideas might spark just by being curious and interested.
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December 17, 2014 at 4:55 am -[…] something positive, no matter how small, in any situation. It’s just a matter of looking for the positive “bright spots” and expanding on […]
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