...yabba...dabba...doo!

What a killer few months we have had! I had the best sales quarter in a year....man it feels good...to 'feel good again.'

Isn't that weird that we sometimes "forget" how to enjoy life? 

It often is not until something happens...like the shitty economy for us to love the feeling..... of being happy again.  Happy? Well when I was a kid I could NOT wait for Saturday morning cartoons and I loved the Flintstones...now 50 years old. 50 years old! 

I know some smart-ass young adults that might think..."man, you are old!" But you know what? I earned what I have....like Fred earned what he had in the cartoon. Nothing is "given" in this generation...you work for what you have.

The idea that something so "old" can show so much of the technology. Often the "prehistoric" analogue to a modern machine uses an animal. For example, when a character takes photographs with an instant camera, inside of the camera box, a bird carves the picture on a stone tablet with its bill. In a running gag, the animal powering such technology breaks the fourth wall, looks directly into the camera at the audience, shrugs, and remarks, "It's a living."

Other commonly seen gadgets in the series include a baby woolly mammoth used as a vacuum cleaner; an adult woolly mammoth acting as a shower by spraying water with its trunk; elevators raised and lowered by ropes around brontosauruses' necks; "automatic" windows powered by monkeys on the outside; birds acting as "car horns," sounded by the driver pulling on their tails or squeezing their bodies; an "electric" razor made from a clam shell, vibrating from a honey-bee inside; a washing machine shown by a pelican with a beak-full of soapy water; and a woodpecker whose beak is used to play a gramophone record.

The Flintstones were cool...things you might not know about them are:

---The Flintstones was originally aimed at an adult audience and the first two seasons were co-sponsored by Winston cigarettes. But by the third season it was being written for children and was sponsored by Welch’s, who produced grape juice and jellies. The show's famous theme tune, "Meet The Flintstones", was not used until the third series. The musical theme for the first two seasons was called “Rise and Shine”.

---Fred and Wilma Flintstone were the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime-time television when the show first aired on ABC between 1960 and 1966.

---Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble fronted a TV advertising campaign for Winston cigarettes - a move that would be unthinkable for children's television characters today. Can you imagine how Oregonians would react? OMG! I can hear it now, especially from (Kitzhauber for Governor)..."Can we tax that for the State?"

---Many critics believe that the show was a Stone Age parody of the 1950s US TV sitcom, The Honeymooners, which featured two newlywed couples living in New York. One of the show's creators, William Hanna, once confirmed the rumour, but his co-creator Joseph Barbera maintained that it was a myth. And, William Hanna also produced the hit children's TV shows Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and Yo Yogi.

---The Flintstones held the coveted title of the longest-running prime-time TV cartoon before The Simpsons took on the mantel. The 1959 unaired pilot episode was called "The Flagstones". “The Gladstones” was also mooted before The Flintstones was finally decided on.

---The series was set in the town of Bedrock, although in some early episodes it was referred to as Rockville. The furniture in the Flintstones’ house changed in almost every episode. The family's barking pet dinosaur, Dino, changed colours throughout the program. Its main colour was purple.

---The cartoon was originally aired in black and white. The Flintstones was home to several major-league sports teams. The Bedrock Giants, Bedrock Dodgers and the Green Bay Pachyderms all appeared on the show. Several popular celebrities took residence in the showbiz quarter of Bedrock - Hollyrock. Cary Granite, Alvin Brickrock and Stony Curtis were the biggest stars. Mick Jadestone and the Rolling Boulders were Fred and Barney's favorite band.

Man....the joy on those Saturday mornings were spectacular....Dad getting donuts for us as we had our eyes glued to the set. Those were happy days....and these last few months have been extremely happy as well! Sales are up and we are feeling great.

Now as long as I can stay away from the "doom and gloom" people in the world....let's see how next quarter goes!! Thanks for all the orders. Seriously...thank you.

....wipe that smile off your face!

Be honest...are you positive or negative? I had a boss that thought he was "keeping everyone upbeat"...when in reality...he was the problem! So ask yourself....
what am I doing to make my life better....for me?

Positive thinking in the workplace is extremely important. Positive thinking is a mental attitude. What we think affects how we behave. It is therefore important for us to begin with our thoughts.

It is a mental attitude that expects good and constructive results. However, it does not deny the existence of negative results or things beyond one’s control. It is a way of looking at things from a different perspective. For instance, one that concentrates on solutions rather than problems.

When our thinking is positive, our attitude is positive and we transfer a feeling of success to our colleagues and clients. In other words – we transfer energy and enthusiasm to those around us. People feel good towards us and are more willing to help us.

Positive thinkers know that when things go bad or unexpected result occurs, it is only momentary. That positive result is achievable. If you are new to applying positive thinking, here are 3 simple steps I suggest:

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #1

One cannot pay lip service to positive thinking. You need to practice and make positive thinking your prevailing attitude towards life. This will transfer towards positive thinking in the workplace. So, how do you make it a prevailing attitude? Entertain positive thoughts. It takes as much effort to think about the negative as it is for the positive. Concentrate on the positive and expect a positive result. Associate with colleagues with a positive attitude. Read inspiring quotes. These are simple ways to create a habit of positive thinking in the workplace.

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #2

Positive thinking in the workplace is solutions thinking. For example, when a project goes poorly and not in the desired direction…a positive thinking person concentrates on solutions instead of the problem. Ever noticed some colleagues have a natural tendency to point fingers when things do not go right? They tend to whine and complain instead of starting to work on a solution immediately? We have ALL had to suffer with idiots like that! And….what if your boss is super negative? Positive thinkers live up to the challenge of the problem and commit themselves to seeking a solution to the problem. They do not dwell in unproductive activities.

Practicing Positive Thinking in the Workplace #3

How many times have you thought – “Oh no, I am never ever able to do this.” When that happens, you end up dwelling on it and wasting precious time. Positive thinking in the work place involves thinking in these words – “I can”….”I will”…….."I am able”…….. "I am ready." It also involves taking the initiative to seek answers and solutions. And to be proactive in learning about the information needed to complete the assignment at hand. A positive thinker in the workplace concentrates on the assignment and is not distracted by negative thoughts.

Is positive thinking in the workplace easy? Well, it is as easy as you want it to be. It is also as difficult as you expect it to be. There will be times when you cannot help but feel negative. When such feelings arise, remind yourself it is as easy to look for a positive angle to things as it is for a negative angle.

Or do what I did…..turn your keys in.... and find another job! It helps to be around other "positive" people.