Best thing to do: Think of the best

I am sure that you have seen the lists too, you know the kind I am talking about, right? Those lists that provide us with “The Best States to Live In,” “The Best Doctors,” “The Best Diets,” “The Best Restaurants” and the “Best” anything and everything.

These are very helpful lists when we really need or want that kind of information. And I am sure a lot of research goes into each list before it is published, and I also believe that opinion plays are a large role in who and what makes those lists. Unfortunately I also know that marketing dollars sometimes influence or persuade the publisher to include certain items, companies or people on those lists.

The majority of us do not play a part in publishing those “Best of” lists; most times we are simply consumers of the information. Other times we have participated in a survey and actually contributed to the results as we share our thoughts and opinions to help generate or influence the outcome.

Now what if we were to create our own “Best of” list? What if we were to think of all the “Best” things we can say or do to make a positive difference in our lives or the lives of others? We might have a Top 10 List of actions and attitudes that can brighten our day or influence the outcome of those around us in a better way.

What would a few of those lists look like? Here are some thoughts to help you get started.

“The Best Words to Include in My Daily Vocabulary:” love, kindness, excellence, forgiveness, family, purity, humbleness, success, achievement, winner, beautiful, compassion, hope, encouragement and faith.

“The Best People I Know:” my mother, my father, my husband, my wife, my daughter, my son, my best friend, my boss, my employees, my associates, my coach, my partner, my grandparents, my teacher, my students, my trainer and my bartender.

“The Best Things I Can Do Today:” give someone a hug, smile, laugh, love, pray, exercise, volunteer, listen, be patient, be kind, be compassionate, learn, read, stay positive, stay focused, be proactive, meet someone new and try something new.

I am sure you can come up with your own “Best of the Best” list all on your own. The challenge is that we typically just wait for someone else to provide us with a list or publish a list that tells us what the “Best of the Best” is. When it comes to our personal preferences and opinions, we already know what would be on our list, don’t we? We just don’t take enough time to create those lists and understand their importance and relationship in our day-to-day lives.

Try it with me, either get some paper and write them down or create your “Best of the Best” lists on your computer, phone or tablet. You will be amazed at how good it feels to capture your thoughts and feelings about who and what makes your “Best of” lists.

How about you? What are some of the “Best” places, companies, restaurants, hospitals, schools that would make your list? Who are some of the “Best” people you know, love and respect? Who are some of the “Best” doctors, lawyers, teachers, police officers, nurses, respiratory therapists, friends and relatives that you know? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we create and publish our own “Best of the Best” lists, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a resident of Castle Rock, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.

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