Why I Admire Frosty and You Should Too
Frosty the snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day,
So he said, “Let’s run
And we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away.”*
3 reasons to admire Frosty the Snowman:
#1. Optimism.
I admire Frosty.
Melting would ruin most people’s day.
I bet you wouldn’t have fun if you were melting. But, in fact, you are melting. In addition, there’s an expiration date on opportunity.
Don’t let frailty drag down your attitude.
Do what you are putting off.
- Pick up the phone right now and let an employee know they matter. “I appreciate you.”
- Finish something and check it off your list.
- Give someone a second chance.
- Send a note to a family member. Say, “I’m thinking of you.”
- Manage out someone with compassion and optimism.
Use frailty to accentuate opportunity.
Enjoy making a difference before you melt.
#2. Enjoyment.
“Let’s run and have some fun.”
The ability to enjoy is most relevant in turbulence, uncertainty, and stress.
- Somber-faced leaders seem constantly annoyed even if they aren’t.
- Enjoyment is energy but pessimism is deadly.
- People are annoying when you focus on faults and weaknesses.
Project: List each team member on a piece of paper. Alongside their name list two strengths. (Don’t add weaknesses.) Keep the list on the corner of your desk.
#3. Dance.
Maybe dancing is too much to ask, but do you want curmudgeon written on your headstone?
Brighten up once or twice today. It won’t kill you even if you are melting.
Would it offend you if your headstone read, “Jolly happy soul,” instead of, “Best frown in town?”
Project: Put a smile on your face. A fake smile will do. Now look in the mirror. If you have the gift of frowning, you think you’re smiling but you’re not.
How might you emulate Frosty?
Bonus material:
10 Ways to Become an Optimistic Leader pdf (buscouncil.ca)
What Leading with Optimism Really Looks Like (hbr.org)
3 Qualities of Optimistic Leaders | SUCCESS
How might you emulate Frosty? Move him to a walk in refrigerator. Seriously I like the optimistic side, lets brighten someone’s day, “a smile’, a “Thank you’. How have you been? The note fits today for some reason, reach out to someone you think of, yet neglect to contact, go the extra mile. Offer a cup of coffee and pastry to someone in need.
Ha ha! Tim. Actually, a refrigerator would prolong his agony. I think you meant freezer! 🙂
I’m just trying to give you a smile.
Thanks Dan, I needed this today.
Happy Holidays, Morris. And best wishes for the New Year.
Don’t let frailty drag down your attitude. & Use frailty to accentuate opportunity. We all suffer from frailty because we are imperfect. Accept it and make sure as note it does not pull you down and as also noted use it as a chance for opportunities and what those opportunities can open up for you.
Thanks Roger. It’s pretty easy to focus on the frailty and forget the opportunity. Perhaps this is an important leadership trait/activity.
Three fantastic ways for us to live our professional and personal lives and be very successful and happy, Dan! Best wishes to you and your Family for a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Successful and Happy New Year! And thank you so much for your daily messages and hints to make us better!
Thank you Sam. And Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Have a great New Year.
Dan – love this one!
Thanks Sheila and Happy Holidays.
Remember – we are all going to “melt” one day! Be joyous and grateful!
Hey, if you’re going to melt anyway, might as well enjoy the journey. 🙂 Thanks Andrew.
It’s important to maximize your impact and demonstrate to others how to enjoy the moment, even when you know that it won’t last. Just like Frosty did! Your daily messages are a fantastic way to start the day. Thanks and happy holidays!
Thanks Eliza. I was just thinking… who is responsible for the quality of my life. Can I expect others to give me a great life? We have to say that others are a major factor in the quality of our lives, but can we hold them responsible for making our life great? I don’t think so. I think if we take responsibility for the quality of our life then we are more likely to enjoy it.
From the show Babylon 5:
LONDO: …My shoes are too tight.
VIR: …Excuse me?
LONDO: Something my father said. He was… Old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting, alone in the dark, crying. So I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “My shoes are too tight. But it doesn’t matter, because I have forgotten how to dance.” I never understood what that meant until now. My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance.
Pause
VIR: …I don’t understand.
LONDO: Smiling wistfully Nor should you.
Thanks Jennifer. I have to start watching Babylon.