Dear Reader,
I was recently at a trade show in Miami, where I spent time with other professionals in the industry, trying to learn as much from them in the time frame I had available. One person in particular made a difference to me at this event, and that was Joel Gerson. You probably recognize the name as the author of Milady’s Standard Esthetics – Fundamentals. Sitting at a table, Joel told me the story of when he joined the army. His story has led me to contemplate much about one’s positive thoughts and actions, and I think we all can learn something from it.
Sitting in a hall with dozens of other recruits, Joel heard an officer call out, asking his unit if anyone knew how to use a typewriter. Joel and a few others raised their hands, and the officer asked them to perform a test on a typewriter. The man told them they could complete the typing test that day, or they could take the test after they were shipped to their destination in Munich, Germany. Joel said to me, “It’s not like I will type any better two weeks from now, so I thought, ‘Why put it off?’ I was the only one who took that test that day.”
Months later, after being shipped to Germany, he waited inside a beautiful office hall right in the heart of Munich. He was standing with the same men, waiting to be assigned to their stations for the next two years. He said there were all types of jobs that men were being assigned to; some were outside digging ditches, others had an office job, and some wore ties and suits and sat behind a desk 10 hours a day. Out of the blue, an officer opened the office door and told Private Gerson to type up a report that was needed. Later the men were sent to the mess hall for lunch. Joel skipped lunch and decided to go outside to a park bench. He wanted to be assigned to working in the building. So he sat and visualized wearing a suit every morning, walking in to the beautiful building to work. He told himself that he was going to sit behind the desk working for the next two years. He was hoping for the best, continuously thinking to himself the most positive outcome he could. When he went back to find out his assignment, he waited. An hour later, the officer called his name. He had been assigned to an office job, working inside the same beautiful building. Joel said that no one ever had another chance to take that typewriting test, and he was the only person who had it on his file.
After Joel shared his story with me, it made me reflect on a few things. First, it shows me how important it is to never let an opportunity pass. Also, visualizing and having positive thoughts help achieve your goals in life. Can you relate to this story?
Whether you’re trying to quit smoking, get a loan, more clientele, or even a new job, use positive thinking to help. Let’s take smoking as an example: If you’re trying to quit the bad habit of smoking, what do you normally tell yourself? “I will not smoke.” But really, you’re still talking to yourself about smoking. Whether or not it is something that you will or will not do, your brain hears smoking. Instead, tell yourself what you do want. “I want clean lungs. I want a healthy life. I want to live longer. I want to know my grandchildren.” You will find this is a much more positive way to think.
Good luck practicing your positive thinking! Start off with smaller goals, and find the magic power within you!
Amanda
Editor
