Are you a + or a -?

Recently I was reading John Maxwell's book High Road Leadership, and in the chapter Give More than you Take, Maxwell references an excerpt from Robert Fulghum's book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The excerpt states, "Every person passing through your life will unknowingly leave something or take something away." It illustrates how every person adds or detracts from the lives of other people. They are a plus or a minus.

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It was one of those epiphany moments for me.  I started thinking about the interactions I have each day and the impression I leave on every person I come in contact with.  Your family, close friends and even co-workers are going to have repeat and long-lasting interactions.  They will begin to predict and expect your behavior in each interaction.  If asked, what would the people closest to you say about you? Are you positive, motivating, caring, helpful? All good qualities to have!  Or would they say you are negative, pessimistic, rude, selfish? 

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Another point to consider is the short term interactions. The person at the drive thru window serving you, the check out person at Publix, the post office worker, TSA at the airport.  How are you treating the people you may never see again.  Are you a positive or negative spot in their day?  Sometimes a smile or a kind word can make all the difference in someone’s day. I am definitely guilty of being rude and short with people when I’m pressed for time or irritated.  After reading this passage in the book, it makes me want to be more aware of the interactions I have each day and how I’m treating others. 

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And the last point I want you to consider is the people you are surrounding yourself with. Yes, there are going to be rude and hateful people that you can’t avoid - co-workers, clients, etc.  Unfortunately you will have to learn how to just deal with these people since you may not be able to avoid them.  

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I started thinking about the people that I have been choosing to hang around.  Are they adding or detracting from my life?  Are they motivating and inspiring me or spreading their negative energy to me? It is good to do an inventory every so often of the people you are spending the most time around.

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It’s not selfish to want to protect your energy and mindset.  In order to show up as your best self each day, you have to be aware of the people you spend the most time with and the energy they are bringing to you. Is it positive and uplifting or negative and degrading?  

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You can’t control how people treat you, but you can choose who you give your time and energy to and who you allow in your life. More importantly you can control how you treat other people. Are you a positive or negative interaction for them?  If asked, what would people say about you and how you treat them?  Let’s be honest; no one is perfect and we aren’t ALWAYS going to be pleasant to be around. However I implore you to keep this top of mind and be cognizant of each interaction you have over the next few days. 

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Be a plus, there are enough minuses in the world.