Thanks to the several thousand people who read my first edition of Muzza’a Blog.
There have been many books and educational material produced over the ages, relating to the theory that ‘Attitude is the key to achieving success’, Zig Ziglar and other positivity spruikers have focussed almost exclusively on this theme for decades.
But it seems to me that there is very little literature has been produced which examines the opposite. That is what level of life success can one expect from somebody who exudes ‘bad attitude’.
I was recently driving to an appointment, and stopped at a tricky little intersection which sits at the front of our building. As I was sitting there, cautiously looking both ways I spotted a bit of an old bomb of a car approaching the intersection straight on towards my car. The car was unkempt, so it attracted attention and was approaching the intersection too quickly.
Just as the car entered the intersection, without indication, it cut right in front of my stationary car’s projected pathway.
The driver had a sleeveless T Shirt on, which I could clearly tell as his right arm was fully outside the open window, as he was flicking ash from his cigarette onto the road. His left hand, was I assume, on the steering wheel.
After his car, had cleared away, I turned left and followed my intended route, which happened to be the same route as his car was taking. After a short journey, he suddenly turned right, again without indication. Again, it was my intended route, so, so did I.
He was travelling much faster than me, so by the time I arrived at the commercial office centre where he was trying to park his car, he had already mounted the footpath in his endeavours to park his car right out the front of the local social security office.
There was another car between him and my car, which was giving him a wide berth. He sorts of straightened the car up, although still had the rear left wheel well up the curb, as he opened the car door and hurriedly exited the vehicle.
Still smoking cigarette which was in his mouth was immediately castaway onto the ground, as he was obviously heading somewhere important by his demeanour.
He was wearing black baggy track suit pants which didn’t cover up his underwear at the back. His T shirt had the sleeves ripped off, which obviously helped show off the art work which covered every square inch of both arms.
His hair was matted, scruffy and looked like it needed a good wash. Of course, he was unshaven, by about 3-4 days. He also looked like he needed a good wash.
I felt guilty because yes, I was pre-judging this man and as he headed straight towards the entrance of the social security office. I thought clearly, that he had every right to social security assistance, and as much right as any other citizen to be attending the local social security office.
But as I watched him enter the social security building, I couldn’t help to be curious about what his real attitudes were in life. Was he ambitious? Was he a hard worker? Did he have a family to support? If I employed him, would he take pride in his work? Would he be an asset to employ? Would he be a good team person? Would he display loyalty and a ‘can do’ attitude?
The words of my first boss came back to me in a resounding answer to my questions “attitude is what sorts out the winners from the losers in business and in life” were the advice he gave me.
He used to tell me that somewhere in the world, one person would be the world’s best petrol pump attendant one person would be the world’s best street cleaner, best hotel porter, etc etc and the reason for this, would have been the attitude they exuded and lived, while doing their job.
I looked again as this person basically pushed his way past two others on the way through the front door nearly bowling them over, and oblivious to their presence, and I think the answers to my questions became apparent.
This person did not exhibit a good attitude, by my definition, in that he had showed a blatant disregard for others in almost every action I had witnessed for the 5 minutes of our brief association.
I felt sorry for him, that he hadn’t worked for my first boss, and didn’t appear to have been given the life training and understanding that I had been given.
Maybe this will develop in him as the years evolve. For his sake, and for the sake of those people close to him, I really hope so.
That’s my opinion.
Muzza from Perth