The ONE THING for April 23, 2012

Hello and welcome to Week 17 of 2012!

The one thing that I’d like for you to focus on today is: “Give people a better alternative.”

Marketers have known the importance of this for years now.  Ever noticed that virtually every time you go through the drive-through of any fast food restaurant that you are going to be asked if you want something else besides what you ordered (sometimes you don’t even get to order before being asked).  Or think about your trip through any department store; to get to what you want you have to navigate through many alternatives and then to pay for what you want (and any other alternatives that you’ve added) you’re also bombarded with yet more alternatives at the register.

Bottom line, providing alternatives works; and it will work in your life.

How do you do this?  Take inventory wherever you are and provide better alternatives for what is going on.

• If the emotional climate is negative give them a positive alternative.
• When meeting with your boss or team, add value by giving a better alternative and be quick to take responsibility for making your alternative happen.
• When faced with a sullen “zombie” clerk at the check-out, provide them with a better alternative by how you relate to them.
• Instead of simply telling your children “No!”; provide them with a better alternative.

You get the picture.  Providing positive alternatives requires you living attentively and intentionally.  You can’t just get in your little world and drift along; you must being willing to exert yourself and take responsibility for what is going on around.  However, a life time of providing positive alternatives, whether it is a marriage, parenting, a career or a friendship will pay huge dividends.

Be it ever so tough sometimes, starting today, don’t let anyone pass through your life without being provided a better alternative – if it is nothing more than a kind greeting and a smile.

Blessings,

dlkemp

 “You are the light of the world.” _Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14)