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The apprentice

I run a course called ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’. Quite honestly, I have the best job in the world, travelling to meet people from various businesses and schools to deliver something that really works. The results over the years have been magnificent. OK, so there have been a few failures, individuals who are so entrenched in their negativity that they are unshiftable, but they’ve been the exception rather than the rule.

And recently I came across a new challenge. It was an amazing business where I’ve met the best and worst delegates ever. Polar opposites! In the blue corner, some of the team members cared so passionately about being world class that they were going to amazing lengths to exceed customer expectations. And, in the red corner were some of the most intransigent energy vampires I’ve ever met. These employees were on a go slow, resisting all attempts to move with the times. Life was better in the old days. Negative about their managers and their jobs. Work was endured.

The curious thing is that the hard working ones were brimming with smiles. They were getting letters of thanks from their customers. They were glowing with brilliance. They were happier! And the go slows? Long faces. Default setting stuck on whinge mode. And most of all they came across as being very unhappy.

And in the middle sat the new apprentice, a fresh faced 16 year old, straight from school. Who will he side with? Tell you what, his choices over the next 12 months may well determine the outcome of his entire working life. Succumb to the dark side. Believe the harbingers of doom and become a purveyor of all things negative until moaning becomes normal. Or join in with the unfashionable bright siders. Work hard. Smile broadly. Enjoy the 9 to 5 experience and become enlightened into the ethos that hard work can be superb fun.

We all face crucial choices in life. Fingers crossed for the lad.