Just be nice.

We all learned as kids to be nice - to share, say we're sorry, and so on. In our finest moments as adults we all probably do a pretty good job of exemplifying this behavior. But what about when you're stressed? Up against a deadline? Frustrated at the progress (or lack thereof) on a task that you've delegated to a co-worker or vendor?  Are you nice to people when you're at the breaking point?

In the rush to close a sale, or wrap up a project, or just to get paid (finally!) on a job, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that there's a person at the other end of that transaction. And your relationship with that person is hopefully more valuable than the issue at hand.

When you stop and think about it, anybody can be nice when things are going smoothly. But being nice really counts in the moments when things are not going according to plan. It shows true character & maturity when you can calmly handle a situation without burning any bridges or embarrassing anyone (especially yourself). It also eliminates the guilt or remorse you likely feel later on about "losing your cool". So the next time things just aren't going your way, try to take a step back, breathe, and think about how much better you'll feel if you handle the situation with grace and poise.

Being nice doesn't only have to be a reactive thing - we can also proactively do nice things for friends and business associates.  I recently got a quick "hello" email from an old friend and it totally brightened my day. The email didn't say much at all, just "I thought about you this morning and wanted to say hi". This got me thinking about the impact I could have on my friends and business contacts if I took just a few minutes each day to do something nice for one of them.  Whether it's sending a link to an article I think they'd enjoy, sharing a coupon or deal for a service they like, or just shooting them a quick "Hope we get to catch up soon" email, these small touches could really make a difference in their day.

In what ways can you "be nice" to your co-workers, friends, and business contacts? I challenge you to do something nice today!