What Works: Accentuate the Positive
Submitted by editor on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 10:44am
In 1945, Johnny Mercer wrote “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” which became a hit. Subsequently, throughout the years, the song was covered by The Andrew Sisters and Bing Crosby, Bette Midler and Bing Crosby (Bing really loved the song), Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and even the late, great, Ella Fitzgerald.
All of these artists had something about them, an air of inspiration. Perhaps it’s because they truly believed what they were singing. Their lives weren’t filled with instant success. Did you know Johnny Mercer had a day job and sung at night in the beginning of his career? Ella Fitzgerald’s first husband was a convicted drug dealer and local dockworker.
I speak a lot about positive thinking and how it’s not denial of the lesser or harder experiences of life. Rather, accentuating the positive is about discovering the gifts inside the moments that may not seem so great at the time. We’ve all been through it. My flight was delayed last Friday for three hours. But, you know what, I’m really glad that metal tube wasn’t in the air in the wind, rain, thunder and lightning. I was much happier safe and sound on the ground.
I call my process of flipping the script “reframing” and have a workbook on it called Mindset 2014 on my web site. After a while, reframing becomes a habit. Last week, I had to haul a booth around and put it up by myself. Now, I could have complained. Or, I could have looked at my arm muscles as I pulled the suitcase, laughed, and dubbed it the “conference workout.” I decided to think of it as a work out.
Try it out. Post something below that went on that wasn’t so good or comfortable and I’ll teach you how to flip the script. Or, if you don’t feel like sharing, just enjoy the lyrics below and check out some of the artists I mentioned above. It’s sure to brighten your Monday. The floor is yours, Carson City.
"Accentuate The Positive"
You've got to accentuate the positive
eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
But don't mess with mister inbetween
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
have faith, a pandemonium
Libel to walk up on the scene
To illustrate my last remark
Jonah in the Whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
just when everything looked so dark
They said we better
accentuate the positive
eliminate the negative
latch on to the affirmative
But don't mess with mister inbetween
[One more Time]
To illustrate my last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
just when everything looked so dark
don't mess, don't mess, don't mess
with mister inbetween
[this verse twice]
ABOUT DIANE HANSEN
Diane Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a coaching firm that has helped people worldwide with their businesses, careers, mindsets, and profit margins. She brings to Carson City more than 17 years of experience with a wide array of clients, ranging from top corporations, motivated entrepreneurs and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, on Carson Now.
