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Inspiration

Walk on the sunny side

or ISO owner's demeanor, making them more ap-
proachable and more appealing to interact with.
This does wonders for building ongoing rapport
with customers and employees.
• Bosts productivity and motivation: A happy, posi-
tive consultant or other payments pro is likely to be
motivated and productive. The time they take out to
appreciate things pays off elsewhere, making it eas-
ier to focus, meet deadlines and accomplish goals.
This contributes to overall business success, creat-
ing a positive upward cycle.
Getting out of a negative rut

Sometimes due to internal or external factors, maintaining
a positive focus can become difficult. It can seem too
challenging to turn things around. When this happens, it's
possible to get into a better frame of mind by:
• Seeking professional help: If negative thoughts
and emotions are overwhelming, it may be helpful
to seek professional help from a therapist or coun-
or many small business owners in the payments selor who is equipped to provide effective support
sphere, the green landscape of spring, bloom- and guidance.
ing flowers and other signs of new life make it
F easy to focus on the marvelous abundance in the • Practicing mindfulness: Meditation, deep breath-
present moment. For some who have a to-do list that's far ing and visualization can help SMB owners become
too long, have recently lost a lucrative residual stream, or more aware of negative thought patterns and learn
are up against an impossible deadline, it can be a bit more to shift focus to more positive things.
difficult to appreciate the good things life has to offer. • Reframing negative thoughts: By challenging
negative thoughts and replacing them with more
However, the benefits of doing so are numerous. For positive ones, payments professionals can shift their
example, appreciating the good things: perspective and improve their mood.
• Reduces stress and burnout: We all know how • Taking care of physical health: Exercise, healthy
stressful and demanding running an ISO, con- eating and sufficient sleep can all contribute to a
sultancy or other small business in the payments more positive mindset.
sphere can be. Yet, taking even just a few moments
daily to appreciate some of the good things refresh- Daily focus on the good things is a powerful life-enhancing
es a person's body and spirit. tool, one to use even when not feeling any gratitude in the

• Enhances creativity and problem-solving: Focus- moment. It helps shift focus away from negative thoughts
ing on the positive leads to SMB owners feeling and emotions. The fast-paced payments biz is stressful. It
better about their personal and business lives. This takes effort to remain competitive while also preventing
promotes relaxation that enables more productive burnout. Being proactive before negativity can take hold
brainstorming and creative solutions. This can lead will lead to better outcomes in business and in life.
to brilliant new products and services, as well as
new solutions to niggling business challenges.

• Improves relationships with employees and cus-
tomers: Along with other benefits, appreciating
the good things in life typically improves an agent Kate Gillespie, President and CEO

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