Daily Synopsis of Maxwell Daily Reader,  by John Maxwell

February 4

Remeber Their Good Days, Not Their Bad Ones

Excerpt From: 25 Ways tp Win with People

Action Taken Today: Possess an attitude of forgiveness today as you work with others.

Synopsis:

Since my last post, I haven’t had time to fill in the gaps between today’s entry and the last one I wrote on Act Yourself Into Changing.

When I first read today’s title I fumbled over the words. I was expecting “Remember There Are…”. I reread the line five or six times before I understood Maxwell wasn’t trying to establish the place in time where good and bad days exist.

He use the possessive form of “their”, thus he describes a type of day. The reason Maxwell writes the title in this way is to underscore the notion that both good and bad days do exist; however how those days are handled determine our character.

We are all prone to success, and failures. Most of us would like to be remembered for our successes. But when you fail, or have a bad day the strength to turn it into a good day is found in forgiveness. Maxwell not only means forgiveness from others; but the ability to forgive oneself.

He further asserts forgiveness isn’t found in a single act or action. Forgiveness stems from an attitude, from a mindset, from a lens with which we see the world. In terms of leadership the act of forgiveness Maxwell believes is paramount to “mine the gold of good intentions in others”. Not only does one need to forgive in order to be forgiven, applying a forgiving mindset with our teams will ensure their loyalty and best efforts.

Everyone has been admonished by someone in their lives, and weren’t forgiven for something, it is a difficult feeling because we internalize remorse and regret. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 

Favorite Quote: 

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent anttitude.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.