Choosing a Bright Outlook

Marcus Buckingham reflects on making the choice to be positive:

Thinking back on President Obama’s inauguration speech, I feel like it really set the tone for 2009 and thereafter. The first line of his speech—“I stand here today humbled by the task before us”—was a solemn reality check. His mention of the “gathering clouds and raging storms” that greet his new administration was clearly a warning that the road ahead will not be easy.
And yet.

And yet the speech was ultimately optimistic: “The challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many... But know this, America: They will be met.” Along with the new president, I too believe that we can succeed even in these daunting times. And I assure you, the fastest way to overcome the obstacles we face now is for people to offer up and contribute the very best of themselves to their country, their organizations, their teams, their families. President Obama signaled that he will put the need for service front and center in his presidency, encouraging those who demonstrate “the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.”

It will take hard work, a redoubling of our efforts. Now is not the time to cry, “woe is me” but rather, “what more can I do? How can I help? How else can I serve?”

In closing his inaugural address, President Obama reminded us that “there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character as giving our all to a difficult task.” You could say that it’s the mission of the Strengths movement to make everyone see the truth of that statement.So in the coming year, know that the commitment to give your all, and more importantly, to give the best of you, will strengthen our economy and strengthen our collective spirit. The challenges will be met.