The summer before my freshman year of college, I found myself in an auditorium taking a Spanish placement test during orientation weekend. After limping through six years of beginner Spanish in junior high and high school, my strategy was simple: bomb the exam and be rewarded with the easiest class possible. It wasn't my strong suit, and even today, after 15 trips to do work in Central America, my abilities are limited to words like hammer, concrete, please, thank you, let's go, and Cerveza fría, por favor.
As I sat there waiting for the test to begin, I chatted it up with the kid next to me. It seemed like he already knew a couple of the others as they were laughing and joking and all getting along like they had been friends for years. It was easy to join in and connect. The lighthearted nature was welcoming, disarming, and put me at ease. And when I got up from the hour-long exam and turned in my test seven minutes after it started, we shared a good laugh and agreed to meet up later. We became roommates, great friends, and still are today, 36 years later.
"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." (Psalm 16:11)
Showing up with a smile and lighthearted nature is an incredibly attractive trait.
It draws people to you and opens up new opportunities for relationships. The more relationships you have, the richer your life and business will be. Contrast that with the self-important, smartest person in the room. Repelling.
Just the other week, I was speaking to the host of an event I was at. He exuded joy, humility, and great intellect. Talking to him lifted my spirits and led us to lunch the following week, starting a new business friendship that will prove to be mutually beneficial. All because he showed up with a joyful, engaging countenance.
Andy Andrews teaches that most successful people are happy. They aren't happy because they are successful, but they achieved success because they chose to show up happy. That joy led to more relationships, and more relationships led to more opportunities.
Show up exuding the joy and gratitude of God's presence and experience the pleasure of the relationships and opportunities around you expanding.
And yes, I did bomb the placement exam and the subsequent class I was rewarded with...twice.
