Whenever we meet someone, we usually ask how they are doing, or we get asked the question ourselves. The most common response is fine or alright, or sometimes good or not so good. Now imagine you ask someone ‘how are you?’ and they answer something other than the staid old fine, say something like amazing. Wouldn’t that throw you for a loop? How wonderful would it be and what a positive impact it would immediately have on the atmosphere!
If you were to ask Possi founder Norm Dominguez how he is, you will always hear the answer ‘Remarkable’. He says that he was intrigued by Bill, the chapter president of a referral organization BNI (Business Network Intl) he was a part of in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Whenever Norm would ask Bill how he was, his answer would be ‘unbelievable’. Norm finally asked him the story behind this unusual reply. Bill answered that a simple fine is usually a half-truth. People never respond with the complete truth when asked a simple question, but why should that be? According to him an answer like Unbelievable encompassed both sides of the truth and presented a more complete picture.
The answer completely blew Norm away and got him thinking. Why should we sell our lives short? Why not answer in a way that states the truth and lays a better foundation for an open and honest communication? He came up with ‘remarkable’. Most of the times, it was a truthful reflection of his life and positivity, the rest of the times it acknowledged any challenge he might be facing.
Of course, for those of us who believe in the power of a word, if we think our life is remarkable, if we say it is remarkable, more likely than not, our life will be remarkable. Reinforcing positivity at every step makes for a happier, more contented and truly remarkable life and who wouldn’t want that?
So what’s going to be your answer if I ask you ‘How are you today?’
