I think it's time to look at Pollyanna differently. You will find more work success embracing ideas, seeing positive side, and stretching your horizons than finding reasons not to. Impossible is often more a state of mind than a reality. As Helen Keller reminds us, "No pessimist ever discovered secrets of stars ... or sailed to an uncharted land ... or opened a new heaven to human spirit."

But I've also learned in twenty years in management there's more to winning at working than positive thinking and optimistic approaches. A bit of Pollyanna should be mixed with strong doses of common sense. Or, as British political leader Harold Wilson puts it, "I am an optimist, but I'm an optimist who carries a raincoat."

Still, I know if I had listened to everyone who deflated my idea-balloons, I wouldn't have life opportunities I have now. I've experienced power of hope, vision and positive thinking in workplace. My point of view? A bit of Pollyanna is a very good thing.

(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Nan’s free eColumn, Winning at Working, at http://www.winningatworking.com. Nan Russell has spent over twenty years in management, most recently with QVC as a Vice President. Currently working on her first book, Nan is a writer, columnist, small business owner, and instructor

After receiving my instructions, he successfully completed pc board layout. I then introduced him to Computer Automated Engineering (CAE). I showed him how to drag electronic components from a library, use mouse to draw circuit paths, make computer simulate function of circuit, and then make computer layout a pc board for circuit.

He was able to easily master complex technology because he now understood that he wasn't stupid. Computers ARE complex. When he needed help, he studied help files or asked someone for help. Eventually, his CAE skills became known and I lost him to another manager. "His last stop before being booted out door?" I don't think so. There's no way Motorola is going to let this valuable employee get away.

Even though it's programmers fault that computers and software are too complex, that doesn't relieve you of all responsibility. You must make an effort. Like my friend at Motorola, you must study help files or ask someone for help when you need it. Not only must you study help files, but you must also be willing to "try things".

Many people fear that if they click on wrong thing, computer will blow up and they will be blamed for it. A properly designed software application prevents user from making a fatal mistake, either by making it impossible, or by providing a warning message. A properly designed application lets user "back out of" or reverse any action. One of best ways to learn is to "try things". If computer blow ups because you made a mistake, you're using improperly designed software.

When you're learning how to perform a function with a computer, if you expect you may need to perform that same function again, take notes. No one will think you're stupid if you take notes. But if you keep asking over and over again how to perform same function, they will think you're too stupid to take notes.

When I worked at Motorola, I used a technique called "strokes" to make symbols appear and move around computer screen like magic. Some people called me "Electronic God". How did I get so good? I tried things. I failed. I studied. I tried again. I understood that technology IS complex. So what?

In today's society, being computer illiterate is equivalent to being functionally illiterate. Make effort to study help files and to "try things". Don't get discouraged or blame yourself if you don't succeed on first try. The computer won't blow up if you make a mistake. You can't be successful at work if you fail to embrace computers and technology.

---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C) 2004 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp ----------------------------------------------------------