On a recent ten day business trip I played a game. The game was to see how many positive, up beat attitudes I could find from the people who served me. The list of participants was long: from cab drivers, airline ticket counter agents, wait staff, flight attendants, hotel personnel, and meeting planners. Every time I turned around I was interacting with someone who qualified for the game. What I found: the participants are many, the winners, few.

The game was simple, I greeted everyone as I always do: "GREAT morning, afternoon or evening." (I didn't use all three at once, I selected the appropriate greeting). I put a bounce in my step, and some enthusiasm in my voice. I always asked how they were doing. The responses were painful: "oh, o.k.", "getting by", "I'll make it", "Fine, now that it's Friday." There was definitely no bounce in the step or enthusiasm in the voice. Attitudes seemed to be in the pits.

Except for two people that stand out like a ray of sunshine on a dismal day. Two people in ten days, (that's scary right there…you'd think I'd get at least two or three a day!) made a huge impact. A positive, pleasant, delightful impact. These two seemed so wonderfully different because everyone else looked for despondent. I inquired about their unusual performance. Their answers are a lesson to all of us: "It's my choice and I choose to be positive about my life. It ain't perfect and I got my challenges, but being a bummer isn't going to help a thing." My second angel of mercy commented: "Life's a gift. How can you not get excited about receiving a present everyday?"

Question: How does your team appear to the customer? A ray of sunshine or a wet blanket? You can make a huge impact with a little shift in "Attitude". Here are some ideas on how to move attitude forward, PLUS 10%.

1. Life is a gift. We often lose sight of this fact because we are so inward focused on our own petty problems. Look outside yourself and notice the world around you. If you think you have things tough, go work a day in a Hospice. Spend an afternoon in a cancer ward for children. Go work in a homeless shelter. It'll shift your perspective and help you see the gift you've received. Being grateful for all we have-the good and the not so good, is the beginning of seeing life as a gift.

2. It's your choice! Is the glass half empty or half full? It's how you look at it. We all have choices when in comes to our attitudes. Shad Helmstedter, in his book Choices, says: "No one else can ever make your choices for you. Your choices are yours alone. They are as much a part of you as every breath you take every moment of your life. You have the ability to choose your strength. You have the ability to choose honesty. You have the ability to believe in yourself. You have the ability to choose your goals and your directions in life. You have the ability to accept others as they are. You have the ability to choose to make your decisions for yourself. You have the ability to choose to always be responsible for your actions…And you have the ability to choose every detail of your life, and it all starts with attitude." When your feet hit the floor, it'll be your choice of how you seize the day.

3. Take Responsibility! Stephen Covey, author of best seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, says, "Look at the word responsibility-response-ability-the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize responsibility. They do not blame their circumstances, conditions or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feelings." You'll be challenged today with many opportunities to respond with ability. Keep a clear eye on your values and what you want to accomplish, then act.

4. Feed the Muscle between Your ears. Each day you have a choice of what goes into your brain-will it be positive or negative? There's lots of garbage out there. If you're looking for negative news, comments or input you don't need to look far. Studies indicate children receive 38 negative comments for every one positive. It's your choice and your responsibility to ponder the positive each day. Fill your head with good stuff. Your brain has been compared to a computer. If you put bad information in the computer, what's the only thing that can come out? Garbage.

Martin Seligma, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, is a leading researcher in the area of attitudes. He's discovered that people with positive attitudes perform better regardless of their circumstances-at home, in the work place, finances, relationships with others. Seligman suggests positive people perform 40% higher than those with a pessimistic and negative outlook.

5. Look for ways you can make a difference, PLUS 10%. One way to create positive impression with everyone who comes in contact with your organization is to explore how you can make a difference in that person's life. One of my shining stars told me: "Today, I have the opportunity to make someone's day. I'll be serving people who are far from home, missing their families and in a strange city. That's not easy so I want to help start their day with a smile they'll remember." Remember, I did. She created such a positive impression, I'll head for her restaurant and ask for her section the next time I'm in town.

So here's my question: If I interact with your company, what will my experience be? It's all about attitude. Make this a GREAT Day!