Return on Life: Taking a toll?

Passing through a toll booth on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (at least at the Cranberry and Monroeville exits) is such a pleasant experience. And no, I'm not being sarcastic! No matter what time of day or which lane I use, the tolltaker always greets me in a friendly manner, smiles, and happily agrees to provide a receipt. Why am I pointing this out? Because it didn't used to be that way.

When I first moved to Pittsburgh in 1998, most of the tolltakers were grumpy and barely spoke when you went through. One groused at me about handing him small change for a $.75 toll, "I'd have rather you handed me a twenty," he grumped! But that's all changed, and it's a study of what can happen when you DECIDE to change your perspective and your manner of interacting.

This change in attitude came about after the tolltakers went on strike a few years ago, complaining that they were underpaid, lacked in benefits, etc. So the managers of the tolltakers began working the toll booths and offered for the tolltakers to either come back to work under the current conditions or find other jobs. It happens that I am familiar with the pay scale and benefits of tolltakers, and the managers were right in this case, by any stretch of the imagination. Pretty quickly, the strike was over and the tolltakers were back at work and even stated at the time that they hadn't realized how good they have it. And I began to notice immediately how much friendlier they were--the happiness showed.

Their attitudes changed because their perspective changed. They are not just acting more content, they truly are. They DECIDED that their jobs had many positive aspects and were something to be appreciated. Think about yourself. Concentrate on something that is a negative in your life. Is your perspective out of whack? Can you DECIDE to have a more positive perspective? Give it some thought--you might be surprised what you come up with!

Return on Life: What can we learn from "What not to Wear"?

As you watch the 2008 Summer Olympics, keep your eye out for U.S. swimmer Tara Kirk. Tara was the focus of a "What not to Wear" makeover which aired July 25, and she'll be looking great! "What not to Wear" fascinates me, partly due to the great fashion ideas, but even more so from the psychological aspect. I love watching the transformation the participants go through in one week in terms of the psyche as much as their physical appearance. And many of them accomplish the transition kicking and screaming all along the way.

That's where Tara was different, and it's a great lesson in the difference your attitude makes. Her appearance was transformed as much as any other guest on the show. But her attitude was in the right place from the start. Instead of arguing that a certain style wouldn't work, or having a meltdown when she tried something Stacey and Clint suggested, she listened to their suggestions, internalized the dos and dont's, and when the first few items didn't work, she kept trying--without getting emotional about it. It was not difficult to see why she is an Olympic athlete. She approached change with an open mind and persevered in the face of obstacles.

Think about your own reaction to change. Do you go along, but only under duress, or do you embrace the possibilities and treat it as an opportunity for improvement? Do you give it one shot, but then immediately abandon the whole idea if it doesn't immediately work out? The same attitude that helped Tara make the U.S. Olympic swim team can help you soar in your life as well!