Episode 215: Positive Persistence

Sometimes we have to be persistent in order to settle disputes that arise. And that can be a source of stress. In this week's episode, Shannon and Janine discuss making resolution easier (and potentially more effective) by staying positive during the process.

Discussion topics include:

• The happy message on Shannon's chai latte

• How Shannon's husband, Mike, has been a model of positive persistence

• The emotional toll that calls to customer service or disputes can take

• How persistence can pay off--and be easier when you keep a positive attitude

• The value of treating customer service personnel like actual human beings

• Remembering that you're dealing with people who are trying to do their jobs (and their job isn't to make your life miserable)

• Making other people's lives better simply by being nice to them

• News flash: There's always a way to approach a problem to get it resolved--you're not at the company's mercy

• Stepping away from the situation for a moment to get in touch with why it's resolving it is important to you

• How it can be so much faster (and easier) just to pick up the phone and seek a resolution than perseverate about it

• Taking conflict resolution one step at a time

• Getting the ball rolling with a phone call rather than putting it off to give yourself space to step away when necessary

• One of Shannon's NLP techniques for helping you make that call (it involves the palm of your hand)

• Asking yourself, "What's one thing I can do now?" to let go of perfectionism