alternaview.com

We have all achieved positive results in different aspects of life at one point or another.  From time to time, or perhaps even consistently for some people, things have fallen into place the way we desired. The question really is not how does one achieve positive results for the first time, but rather, how does one continue to taste success over and over again.

It makes sense that we attempt to recreate certain conditions so that we can continue to see positive results.  For example, if we worked really hard at something and achieved positive results, when our next challenge arises, it’s an easy assumption to draw that all we need to do is recreate the same work pattern and habits.  We look at whether or not we have achieved good results and if we have, then that leads us to believe we did something right that should be repeated in other instances.

Is it really that black and white?  Is there simply a pattern we can follow and be assured that once we figure it out and follow it, we will continue to achieve more and more positive results?

The alternaview
The alternaview is that although everything is by no means black and white and things happen, (or possibly don’t happen) for a reason, there is a consistent approach that we can follow that is based on understanding feedback...and by using this feedback appropriately every time we make a decision, it will actually guide us in the right direction of achieving more and more positive results.  Every time we make a decision and choose to do something or respond in a certain manner, there are three different types of feedbacks that we should take notice of:

(1) Do we feel good about the results? Did we achieve the result we desired? (or a positive result, even if it was not exactly what we desired)

(2) Do we feel good about its impact on others? Did our decision or actions have a positive impact on the things or people around us? (Was there anyone or anything aside from ourselves that benefited?) and

(3) Do we feel good about how we accomplished our result? (Did we go about accomplishing it in a good and fair way; i.e. if we were a jerk and/or did something that was deceitful (tricky counts) or selfish, dishonest, shady, etc. the answer would be a no…)

As I am sure you have guessed, the goal is to honestly have good feelings about each of these feedback areas, and to the extent that you do, then it is a fair assumption that you are receiving positive feedback from your decision or action and can be assured you made a good decision that will give you the positive results you desire.

How to use this alternaview:

1. Aim for positive feedback as much as possible. We should be attempting to make those decisions and choose those actions that are giving us the most positive feedback because when we do, we will achieve more and more positive results.  This should be one of our top priorities, even if you are wanting to do something else…talk yourself out of it (i.e. don’t encourage your boss to not hire a good employee because you think they will beat you out for the next promotion). Tailor your actions and decisions so that they are always in line with receiving positive feedback.

2.  Ask yourself these questions in the feedback areas prior to making decisions and then decide what to do or how you choose to act.  No need to learn lessons after making mistakes.  Take time to think through challenging or ambiguous situations and aim to make the right decision as often as possible.

3.  It’s important to be honest with yourself so that you can be certain you are reading the feedback right.  This is not a situation where you want to be getting false positives that can guide you in the wrong direction.  Don’t give yourself the benefit of the doubt when running through your analysis…be honest.

4.  Admittedly, the impact on others can be one of the trickiest ones to answer because sometimes we are just trying to achieve positive results for ourself (i.e. a writing contest you enter with your friend and win…which means you won and your article will be published...and your friend lost).   Don't lose sight of the fact that it may not always be easy to see the bigger picture (i.e. perhaps your friend that you beat out for the prize was meant to get another one in two months that required his article to not have been published before).  Taking notice of all the different feedback areas and allowing them to collectively provide you feedback is important in case you come to the wrong conclusion in one area.

What we are looking for is a sound approach and an analysis we can rely on each and every time that will assure us we are making good decisions and creating the conditions that are necessary to continue to realize the results we want over and over again. If we can continually make those decisions that are giving us the most positive feedback, we can be assured we have discovered an approach that will generate more and more of the results we desire.  It’s all about learning from the feedback we receive and repeating those types of actions and decisions that are giving us the best feedback…that is the alternaview.

Are you achieving positive results?  Do you agree with this alternaview?

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