Why did you have a bad day? ___ A) Did coffee cause it? B) Did your daughter cause it? C) Did Policeman cause it? D) Did you cause it?

The answer is d. You had no control over what happened with coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say "It's OK honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase. You come back down in time look through window and see your child getting on bus. She turns and waves. You and your spouse kiss before you both go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet staff. Your boss comments on how good of day you are having.

Notice difference. Two different scenarios. Both started same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% is determined by your reaction. Here are some ways to apply 90/10 secret.

=> If someone says something negative about you, do not be sponge. Let attack roll off like water on glass. You do have to let negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.

=> How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you loose your temper? Pound steering wheel? (A friend of mine had steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let blue car ruin your drive. Remember 90-10 principle, and do not worry about it!

=> You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep or get irritated? It will work out. Use your "worrying" energy and time into finding another job.

=> The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for day. Why take out your frustration on flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know other passenger, etc. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

You now know 90-10 secret. Apply it and you will be amazed at results.

·Act like you are greeting a best friend who has been gone for awhile.

·If you walk into a group, greet or acknowledge every person. Look them in eye. Either verbally greet them or at least make eye contact and acknowledge every single person.

·Greet your friends, contacts, and family same way.

·When someone calls, say a professional "hello". When you find out who is calling, act glad to hear their voice.

What if you DO NOT feel like it? Who cares! ACT enthusiastic to meet them and you will BE enthusiastic to meet them. They will feel important and will be glad to see YOU. You will make an excellent first impression. This technique alone will work wonders for you! You will stand out from crowd. Customers will want to come back. When a customer sees that you are glad to have them buy from you, they will want to come back and buy MORE from YOU.

You have probably realized that puppies make friends very easily. When they greet a person they smile, wag their tail and are absolutely happy to see you. They want to be your friend. The result is that you in turn want to pet puppy, and be puppies friend. This same principal works with you social contacts. Be glad to see them and they will usually be glad to see you. You will make a good impression and they will like you. This is just one technique for making a good first impression. Apply it and it will work!