Our resale, thrift, or consignment businesses are a lot of work, and we’re constantly being interrupted. It is easy to start grouching, but it is also, with the right outlook,
a cinch to be positive.
Being a positive thinker is a lot easier on your health, your soul, your staff, your family. . . and your business.
Most of us learn quickly to change our thought If I see one more armload of clothes coming in I’m gonna scream to a more positive Isn’t it wonderful so many people know about our shop?
Simply by changing the way we view situations, we improve our attitude and mood.
A new way of thinking can make our day more pleasant and improve our mood. By finding the positive in a negative, we can even pat ourselves on the back! So instead of silently crabbing These consignors never read our agreement, think Isn’t it nice that our shop has such a trustworthy reputation? Of course you’ll still have to verbally reinforce the important points in that agreement they haven’t read, but you’ll do so in a friendlier way.
Don’t complain Darn phone never stops ringing, but think Our consignors are thinking of us and they want the perfect excuse to stop by! That thought will make your manner and tone much more amiable to the caller.
A toddler wrecks your window display while Mom shops, all unaware? Don’t grouch, think Our shop’s so intriguing that Mom got lost in admiration. Someone bounces a check? She was so tickled with all that she found that she forgot to consider her checkbook balance.
Sure, the situation’s still the same, but your attitude improves dramatically.
As does your joy in your shop. So next time something annoying happens, think: Am I going to make myself miserable over this fact of life, or can I redefine the situation to think about it positively?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Thank you Kate! I pray we as store owners/managers realize that without these customers we have no business. We take the good and the bad and the ugly. people will always be people….and how we respond is the key. I had a long day a few weeks back, I didn’t want to close late and I came out of the back room with an armload of clothing at 2 minutes before closing….the woman at the counter wanted to look through what I had….then could she try on something she found. I was less than kind and let her know it was closing time, she didn’t buy it because she thought it was part of our sale…..ugh. To make a long story short, I was convicted after she left that I needed to apologize. A week later I happened to come out to the floor and there she was with her husband and I apologized to them individually for my attitude. No matter what the situation, I manage this shop and I represent the ministry, they were gracious. I was thankful to get the burden off my heart too!
A great story, Cindy. Thanks for sharing.
[…] Making a negative into a positive is even more important when it comes to shopkeepers’ self-talk. Read how and why to make yourself smile instead of frown. […]
Kate, You always inspire me! Great ideas and will share with my girls, because we have some of those thoughts on a daily basis and I need to think of these points every day! Love the attitude adjustments, except for a couple of little things. I have a little problem with moms who bring their kids in and encourage them to use my store as a “race track” and my racks as something to climb through, “like the playground.” Yes, both came out of Mom’s mouth! I never get too excited about bounced checks, except for the one I took, recently, from a long-time, great customer for over $600, a customer which I can no longer get in touch with and will not return my emails. (Phone has been disconnected.) She might have been a little toooo tickled! That one might take a bit more attitude adjustment on my part, but for the most part, you are right on the money! Thanks!
Hi Sherry, thanks for the compliment. Unfortunately, all we can do with our attitude adjustment can do is, well, make us a bit more comfortable in our skins. If it could raise kids right or stop thieves from stealing with a checkbook, wouldn’t THAT be wonderful? Signed, Ms Sickeningly Sweet Kate
I always try to have a positive attitude, but sometimes it’s harder than others. You have some great examples here of attitude adjusters that I really appreciate. I’m going to print this and share with my employees at our next staff meeting. Thanks for always knowing how to help.
Kate: This has been very helpful. I am a retired psychologist, now happily a community development consignment store owner, so I was especially pleased to see this post. What you are encouraging all of us to do is called “Cognitive reframing” in the parlance of professional psychologists. Look at that – all your wonderful consignment advice, and psychological counselling, too!
Thanks Cheryl, for the confirmation…. and don’t you agree that consignment, resale and thrift shopkeepers NEED psychological counseling? 🙂
Great reminder that we all have control over our thoughts. Being positive is healthier for us.