I Dare You #1 - Say Everything Positive

​As seen in your recent news headlines, the fiscal New Year for the government of the United States of America began with a great deal of consternation.
 
And, though most of the press has focused on the sometimes-vitriolic communiqués and sound bites among the executive and legislative branches of government, I prefer to view the recent political maneuvers as “the price of democracy in action.”
 
Throughout our nation’s history, there has been a diverse universe of opinions and theories on how we, as a nation, should proceed to the next generation. And yes, sometimes those varied opinions are separated by deep chasms of disagreement.
 
Nonetheless, the wheels of disagreement often facilitate the best possible solution for all parties involved. This, too, shall pass, my friends.
 
Speaking of passing, how much time has passed since you took on a good dare?
 
Remember how it felt (as a teenager) when someone said, “I dare you”?
 
Well, today I encourage you to join me and others as we shift our focus from the news of the day to time of our lives:
 
Today, I extend to you a hearty, healthy “I dare you…” 
 
Over the next several weeks, I will provide these three little words each and every week. Following those three little words, I will provide one little dare for you, he, she, and me. 
 
To be sure, the dare will be challenging, but definitely achievable.
 
Remember: this is that special part of the year when we can truly start anew.
 
A new calendar…
 
A new frame of mind…
 
A new style of living…
 
And when we are provided a new framework on which we can construct a new mindset and a new lifestyle, things previously thought to be incredible are suddenly not only possible… but also probable and, dare I say it… inevitable.
 
And so it begins.
 
Beginning today, I dare you to…
 
                        ~ SAY EVERYTHING POSITIVE ~
 
Regardless of what anybody says to you about anything, respond with an uplifting, positive response.
 
Even if someone is deliberately trying to push your buttons, flip the script and say something... anything... as a positive response.
 
For example, when someone is being naughty, negative, or nasty, simply try one of the following responses:
 
“Life is good.”
 
“Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
 
“I like that watch you are wearing; do you mind if I take a closer look?”
 
One of the benefits of having a pre-planned response to negativism is that YOU get to manage the context of the conversation, the disposition of the conversation, and (best of all) the consequences of conversation.
 
Indeed, this a relatively simple dare.  And if you put forth even the tiniest amount of effort to succeed at this dare, it will have a significantly constructive and positive implication on this New Year of your life. 
 
Of course, accepting the challenge of a dare requires a bit of a cost/benefit analysis.
 
What are the potential consequences?
 
What are the probable costs?
 
Then again, what are the possible payoffs?
 
Though I am not a medical doctor, I assure you, the upcoming dares have all been tested and tried.  And they are all safe to test and try again.

And the payoff will be H U G E...

Go ahead... I dare you:

Say everything positive!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
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​John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.
​
He believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
​Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner: