Better a potty mouth than a potty mind

Few clients or strategic allies would find use of obscenities an acceptable business practice, so most of us make sure to avoid inflicting a “potty mouth” on our important stakeholders.

However, as awkward and unprofessional as it would be to swear in front of someone in a business setting, it’s even more destructive to your success if you inflict a potty mind on yourself.

You know exactly what I’m talking about. A potty mind is the sort of mindset that causes you to think things like:

• I’ll never manage that.

• Boy, I stink at this!

• Why can’t they be reasonable and do it my way?

• If only that had/hadn’t happened…

• I’m so stupid sometimes!

• Maybe if I ignore him/her/it, he/she/it will go away…

 Does your mindset create ease or struggle?

Certain behaviors also indicate a potty mind, such as when you:

• ignore your accomplishments and focus on what’s not yet right

• deflect compliments on your work

• resent other people and/or their accomplishments

• hug that resentment close to your chest

• refuse to let go of past hurts or disappointments

• let other people take advantage of you

• fail to express your honest thoughts and feelings

Are any of these ringing a bell for you? If so, it’s probably time to take an objective look at whether your current mindset is leading you to success or failure. This Thursday, we’ll explore some ways to spring clean your mind.

(Thanks to Andy Eick for posting the potty picture in the Creative Commons section of Flickr.)

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