top of page
Search

ATTITUDE & SUCCESS By Linda Cahan

  • Writer: Linda Cahan
    Linda Cahan
  • Jul 31, 2022
  • 2 min read

We all have our ways to ride out tough times –


Some personal favorites are the “curl up in a fetal position” method, the “face it square-on” stance or the “this is not happening to me” state of denial.

I’ve tried them all but the only one that really works is the “face-it, it’s happening” stance or, deal with reality before it deals with you.


I’ve been in retail for a really long time – although it feels like yesterday when I dressed my first mannequin in 1972.

Being in visual merchandising, I quickly learned about Murphy’s Law– “Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.” I also discovered that whatever you focus on grows. I know it’s a cliché. But clichés generally evolve because they’re true.


Quick story: I was setting up a display showroom on West 19th St. in NYC many years ago and Murphy’s Law was kicking my butt. That night as I walked over to East 19th St. to meet friends for dinner I started listing in my mind all the things that went wrong that day. After a few minutes I decided I didn’t have enough for a good story to entertain my friends and, with that thought I stepped into dog doo – a biggie in the heat of the summer!


I knew right away I had my story – just not the one I originally planned.


I was focusing on how crappy my day had been and then managed to create the ultimate topper. I learned (finally) that listing my problems was not such a great idea.

Now, I list good things that happen during the day and am very superstitious about listing the bad ones. I want to focus on the good stuff. Of course, I take care of the negative things that pop up - in fact I try to do so quickly so I don’t have to focus on them for any length of time.

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
Feng Shui For Retailers

Linda Cahan No, it’s not #10 on the take out menu. Feng Shui means “wind and water” and is an ancient Chinese practice of creating...

 
 
 
THRIFTY CHIC

Linda Cahan   Gift items under $50 are sure bets for quick sales. Often, these less expensive items don’t get the presentation they...

 
 
 

Comments


  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter Social Icon

2022: linda cahan . cahan & company . retail design consulting. visual merchandising . retail seminars, standards guides. visual standards manuals . visual merchandising training,

bottom of page