Comments on: Optimists and Skeptics Look For Results in the Week Ahead http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:09:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Terry Fobbs http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43994 Terry Fobbs Thu, 08 May 2008 13:47:21 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43994 Hooah Berri! Hope is all is well with you my friend! Thanks for your comments! Best Regards, Terry Fobbs Hooah Berri! Hope is all is well with you my friend! Thanks for your comments!

Best Regards,

Terry Fobbs

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]]> By: Terry Fobbs http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43993 Terry Fobbs Thu, 08 May 2008 13:45:38 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43993 Hi Dan, Great message, and I want to give you another perspective about optimisim as a force multiplier principle. You know that I am a retired Colonel and combat veteran. It is more than snapping your fingers and you're optimistic. It is about leveraging your internal resources, your inner strength, your personal courage physical and moral, your well of untapped energy, mental and physical and looking at the best of a situation, and then figuring out how you can get it done with what you've got. No matter how dark the day, how grim the situation, there will be a way to prevail. and come on top no matter how long it takes. It is about sharing that optimism with others, building them up, energizing them with your spirit and inspiring them to get up and move forward with you to take that hill and succeed. It is about setting the example and showing others around you to use their optimism to bring others along on that journey to success. It is about not quitting and having hope as your guiding beacon. This is what General Powell means. I know, because he was my Corps Commander in Germany when he was a Three Star and I was a Major. He has been, as he has put it to me, my perpetual mentor from afar and has encouraged me to do the same for others. The principle of optimism as a force multiplier is what drives me each and every day. I also think that this is the meaning of "optimisim as a force multiplier" that best describes your wife. You guys really get it. Thanks for all you do and showing us how to "Lead with our best selves! :) Best Regards, Terry Hi Dan,

Great message, and I want to give you another perspective about optimisim as a force multiplier principle. You know that I am a retired Colonel and combat veteran. It is more than snapping your fingers and you’re optimistic. It is about leveraging your internal resources, your inner strength, your personal courage physical and moral, your well of untapped energy, mental and physical and looking at the best of a situation, and then figuring out how you can get it done with what you’ve got. No matter how dark the day, how grim the situation, there will be a way to prevail. and come on top no matter how long it takes.

It is about sharing that optimism with others, building them up, energizing them with your spirit and inspiring them to get up and move forward with you to take that hill and succeed. It is about setting the example and showing others around you to use their optimism to bring others along on that journey to success.

It is about not quitting and having hope as your guiding beacon. This is what General Powell means. I know, because he was my Corps Commander in Germany when he was a Three Star and I was a Major. He has been, as he has put it to me, my perpetual mentor from afar and has encouraged me to do the same for others. The principle of optimism as a force multiplier is what drives me each and every day.

I also think that this is the meaning of “optimisim as a force multiplier” that best describes your wife. You guys really get it. Thanks for all you do and showing us how to “Lead with our best selves! :)

Best Regards,

Terry

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]]> By: Berri Meyers http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43874 Berri Meyers Tue, 06 May 2008 21:14:42 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43874 Dan, you are so right! There are so many force multipliers available to all of us, even those of us 'leading from the middle'. Optimism is a key one, rewarding/crediting team members, cultivating input/feedback, rewarding demonstrated initiative, verbally expressing appreciation, etc. Mindful of these challenging budgetary times - notice all of these tools for team-building are FREE! Another thing peolpe forget, optimism creates excitement and both are contagious! Be a cheerleader in addition to being a coach - champion those around you! Please express my get-well wishes to my Commander-in-Chief!! Dan, you are so right! There are so many force multipliers available to all of us, even those of us ‘leading from the middle’. Optimism is a key one, rewarding/crediting team members, cultivating input/feedback, rewarding demonstrated initiative, verbally expressing appreciation, etc. Mindful of these challenging budgetary times – notice all of these tools for team-building are FREE!
Another thing peolpe forget, optimism creates excitement and both are contagious! Be a cheerleader in addition to being a coach – champion those around you!
Please express my get-well wishes to my Commander-in-Chief!!

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]]> By: Helena http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43814 Helena Tue, 06 May 2008 12:37:22 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43814 Thanks, Dan, once again for a wonderful start to a new week. And please extend wishes of good health to our Governor. Thanks, Dan, once again for a wonderful start to a new week. And please extend wishes of good health to our Governor.

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]]> By: Mark John Hunter http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43726 Mark John Hunter Tue, 06 May 2008 00:51:50 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43726 On nudging yourself to hope; you could add having a realistic person you trust around to take you down to earth when you need it. While your wife may have almost needed to be ordered to go to the hospital, there are people who have to be ordered to do something, whether about their health or other circumstances, be it finances or safety. A neighbor's wife, after hours of demanding that her husband go to the hospital called the ambulance. He nearly bled internally to death, and probably would have if she had acquiesced to his happy complacency. He is one of the most optimistic men I know, and I think that is why he has lived years longer than his doctors estimated for him, given several serious and generally fatal health conditions. Mark John Hunter Alpena On nudging yourself to hope; you could add having a realistic person you trust around to take you down to earth when you need it. While your wife may have almost needed to be ordered to go to the hospital, there are people who have to be ordered to do something, whether about their health or other circumstances, be it finances or safety. A neighbor’s wife, after hours of demanding that her husband go to the hospital called the ambulance. He nearly bled internally to death, and probably would have if she had acquiesced to his happy complacency. He is one of the most optimistic men I know, and I think that is why he has lived years longer than his doctors estimated for him, given several serious and generally fatal health conditions.
Mark John Hunter Alpena

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]]> By: Susan http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43721 Susan Mon, 05 May 2008 23:51:21 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43721 I'm so glad Jennifer is doing well & hope that the rest of her recovery goes this well. Thank you for the useful message. I’m so glad Jennifer is doing well & hope that the rest of her recovery goes this well.

Thank you for the useful message.

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]]> By: Joanne Case http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43678 Joanne Case Mon, 05 May 2008 18:55:36 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43678 Dear Dan, I have a hard time believing that you were "born of gloomy people". I just enjoyed the company of your dear mother on Saturday (your Aunt Margie and I invented the term BFF). I have always known her to be optimistic and cheerful. I remember your dad fondly, too, and his good nature was always obvious to me. Your mother's smile still lights up a room. Your mom and I had a nice chat about your Reading for Leading e-mails, and your book which I purchased for my son who is studying school administration. Optimism is something we all need to work on, of course. Thanks for your upbeat Monday e-mails. I am happy to hear that Jennifer is recovering so quickly and so well. Michigan needs her! Dear Dan, I have a hard time believing that you were “born of gloomy people”. I just enjoyed the company of your dear mother on Saturday (your Aunt Margie and I invented the term BFF). I have always known her to be optimistic and cheerful. I remember your dad fondly, too, and his good nature was always obvious to me. Your mother’s smile still lights up a room. Your mom and I had a nice chat about your Reading for Leading e-mails, and your book which I purchased for my son who is studying school administration. Optimism is something we all need to work on, of course. Thanks for your upbeat Monday e-mails. I am happy to hear that Jennifer is recovering so quickly and so well. Michigan needs her!

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]]> By: Karen Reynolds http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43663 Karen Reynolds Mon, 05 May 2008 17:07:20 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43663 Dan, It was so good to read your words this morning and especially appropriate. This weekend my oldest daughter graduated from college and next weekend is Mother's Day. I forwarded your email to my daughters, sister and mother as it expressed my own thoughts and optimism for them. I remember talking to Jennifer on the phone when she was in the hospital after the accident. You had already told us how badly she was hurt and I was shocked at how upbeat she was. This attitude has served her well. Take care and wish Jennifer Happy Mother's Day from me. Karen Dan,
It was so good to read your words this morning and especially appropriate. This weekend my oldest daughter graduated from college and next weekend is Mother’s Day. I forwarded your email to my daughters, sister and mother as it expressed my own thoughts and optimism for them. I remember talking to Jennifer on the phone when she was in the hospital after the accident. You had already told us how badly she was hurt and I was shocked at how upbeat she was. This attitude has served her well. Take care and wish Jennifer Happy Mother’s Day from me.
Karen

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]]> By: Vicki http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43661 Vicki Mon, 05 May 2008 16:59:09 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43661 Thank you for a breath of fresh air! I will be using the hints to spread around the office I work in, some can be pretty pessimistic at times You're articles never fail to inspire me. Thank you for a breath of fresh air! I will be using the hints to spread around the office I work in, some can be pretty pessimistic at times You’re articles never fail to inspire me.

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]]> By: Anonymous http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43660 Anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 16:51:18 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43660 And even on the brighter side, I heard that the pathologist said that the obstruction looked just like Mike Bishop and was benign ... And even on the brighter side, I heard that the pathologist said that the obstruction looked just like Mike Bishop and was benign …

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]]> By: Betty Douglas http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43635 Betty Douglas Mon, 05 May 2008 14:44:28 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43635 Good Morning Dan: What a great and inspirational article. KUDOS to your wife. I only wish I was blessed with the positive optimism that she possess. However, with this article, I see that I can make a much better situation out of my current negative one's merely by thinking with more positive optimism. I think my case is "you are what you think" Smile! Thanks a lot for helping me overcome my self pity! Betty Good Morning Dan:

What a great and inspirational article. KUDOS to your wife.

I only wish I was blessed with the positive optimism that she possess. However, with this article, I see that I can make a much better situation out of my current negative one’s merely by thinking with more positive optimism. I think my case is
“you are what you think” Smile!

Thanks a lot for helping me overcome my self pity!

Betty

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]]> By: Mares J Hirchert http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43629 Mares J Hirchert Mon, 05 May 2008 14:26:38 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43629 Dear Dan, I am so very glad that Gov Granholm is an optimist and that she is home from the hospital. I'm glad, too, that you realize that you aren't an optimist but are working on it! I've been working on leading from the bottom up! Joseph Dooley in the Gov's Wash DC office helped me when I told him that I was just following your advice about going from my place at the bottom as a constituent in Hartland, MI upwards to the Gov's office in DC! I believe Joe's an optimist now but it sure took a lot of persuading! :))). I attended the closing of the Rabbi Sherwin Wine's Center for New Thinking in Birmingham, MI on Sat. May 3rd. Sonya Friedman gave a wonderful talk on "Sweet Endings" which encouraged those members of the Center to think about new beginnings. With the Rabbi's accidental death in July of 2007, the Center's driving force is gone, but Sonya's an optimist-the Center can look at a new way of being and carry on the spirit of Rabbi Wine. She ended her talk with the Rabbi's words: "The sun requires no courage to rise in the morning, to shine in the day, to 'die' in the evening. But we---living, breathing, passionate people, we do." Your wife's optimism may be born of courage! Dear Dan,
I am so very glad that Gov Granholm is an optimist and that she is home from the hospital. I’m glad, too, that you realize that you aren’t an optimist but are working on it!

I’ve been working on leading from the bottom up! Joseph Dooley in the Gov’s Wash DC office helped me when I told him that I was just following your advice about going from my place at the bottom as a constituent in Hartland, MI upwards to the Gov’s office in DC! I believe Joe’s an optimist now but it sure took a lot of persuading! :) )).

I attended the closing of the Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s Center for New Thinking in Birmingham, MI on Sat. May 3rd. Sonya Friedman gave a wonderful talk on “Sweet Endings” which encouraged those members of the Center to think about new beginnings. With the Rabbi’s accidental death in July of 2007, the Center’s driving force is gone, but Sonya’s an optimist-the Center can look at a new way of being and carry on the spirit of Rabbi Wine. She ended her talk with the Rabbi’s words: “The sun requires no courage to rise in the morning, to shine in the day, to ‘die’ in the evening. But we—living, breathing, passionate people, we do.” Your wife’s optimism may be born of courage!

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]]> By: Mary Lee Hultin http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43628 Mary Lee Hultin Mon, 05 May 2008 14:25:11 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43628 It is true that no amount of optimism can change some outcomes........where the optimism comes in is having the faith and fortitude to make the best possible next steps when a situation does not have the desired outcome! The old "make lemonade out of lemons" mentality! I appreciate Dan's notes as a brand new........and not by choice...........leader. Thanks for the optimism, Dan.......wishing Jennifer a comfortable and quick recovery! It is true that no amount of optimism can change some outcomes……..where the optimism comes in is having the faith and fortitude to make the best possible next steps when a situation does not have the desired outcome! The old “make lemonade out of lemons” mentality!

I appreciate Dan’s notes as a brand new……..and not by choice………..leader. Thanks for the optimism, Dan…….wishing Jennifer a comfortable and quick recovery!

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]]> By: Lou http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43624 Lou Mon, 05 May 2008 14:07:34 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43624 I am reminded by your column of Jon Greenawalt of PMP in Plymouth, Jamie Showkeir of Henning –Showkeir and there focus on helping people shift from cynicism to involvement – what PMP calls “from complaint to commitment. Jamie Showkeir in “The Conversation Workshop” talks of the 'choice for creating worth' as opposed to the 'choice for disappointment'. Jamie says “pursuing contribution and service at work without the promise of return- without barter” is the choice for creating worth. It includes “persisting with passion, optimism and hope in the face of disapproval and disappointment”. Choosing cynicism, helplessness and detachment from work on the other hand is the choice for disappointment. As Jamie says “Cynic choose to withhold hope and optimism, yet demand the promise of a world without disappointment”. What underlies Greenawalt, Showkeir and your perspective is that one can become more optimistic - to choose optimism despite harsh realities, disappointments and previous failed attempts. http://www.pmpcommunity.com/pmp.html http://www.henning-showkeir.com/ Lou I am reminded by your column of Jon Greenawalt of PMP in Plymouth, Jamie Showkeir of Henning –Showkeir and there focus on helping people shift from cynicism to involvement – what PMP calls “from complaint to commitment.

Jamie Showkeir in “The Conversation Workshop” talks of the ‘choice for creating worth’ as opposed to the ‘choice for disappointment’. Jamie says “pursuing contribution and service at work without the promise of return- without barter” is the choice for creating worth. It includes “persisting with passion, optimism and hope in the face of disapproval and disappointment”. Choosing cynicism, helplessness and detachment from work on the other hand is the choice for disappointment. As Jamie says “Cynic choose to withhold hope and optimism, yet demand the promise of a world without disappointment”.

What underlies Greenawalt, Showkeir and your perspective is that one can become more optimistic – to choose optimism despite harsh realities, disappointments and previous failed attempts.

http://www.pmpcommunity.com/pmp.html

http://www.henning-showkeir.com/

Lou

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]]> By: Robert Newton http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-43623 Robert Newton Mon, 05 May 2008 14:06:04 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/optimists-and-skeptics-look-for-results-in-the-week-ahead/#comment-43623 I'm an optomistic pessimist, I exspect the best and try to give my best but some days it can be hard to deliver. So I am realist.I start each day knowing that I have a choice so I choose to have a great one. So Dan have a Great Day if you choose to, I did. I’m an optomistic pessimist, I exspect the best and try to give my best but some days it can be hard to deliver. So I am realist.I start each day knowing that I have a choice so I choose to have a great one. So Dan have a Great Day if you choose to, I did.

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