I had an inservice for work today.  Always 5 + hours of sheer boredom.  But they pay me for it and serve coffee and bagels, so who can complain.

Much to my surprise they introduced us to a new work philosophy.  Based on a video from a Fish Company that uses 4 basic principals to improve business, maintain loyal staff and encourage return patronage.  The 4 steps are easy.  Fun, Make their day, Be there and Choose your attitude.  They call it F I S H ironically.

Most of these I put into motion in my own life.  I try to always have fun via humor and interaction.  Being a people person makes it easier to try making someones day.  It can be as simple as a heartfelt "Nice to see you".   Being there is simply living in the moment, paying attention when your interacting with someone and trying not to daydream or plan dinner in your head while interacting.  Listening and eye contact conveys this real well.  My favorite step in this philosophy is the Choose Your Attitude part.

It is so easy to get sucked into feeling blue when life isn't rolling the way we like.  Or losing patience quickly when we didn't get enough sleep last night.  Or how about taking out frustrations of a mundane job on a co-worker, just because we can.   The guy behind me in traffic feels it is his duty to take his anger out on me by cutting me off or even fliping me off, not realizing that the traffic is no more my fault then his. 

When I wake up in the morning, I make the choice to be happy.  Despite the stresses and frustrations I encounter. *an boy do I have my share*  Worry solves nothing but making me feel lousy.  The outcome will be the same no matter how much I fret over something.  So why not put on a smile and share it?  Smiles are more contageous then yawns I think.  And way more fun to share.

I admit it isn't always possible or easy.  But it is worth it to me to try.  Not for those around me as much as for my own well being and happiness

So from me to you