It is also important that you design your office or working space according to bagua map indications. If possible, you should try to create your working space at south of environment where it will be. According to bagua, south symbolizes life area corresponding to career, and therefore it is ideal place for such purpose.

Another important thing to take into account is tidiness. Your working space, and especially your desk, should be tidy. You should get rid of clutter from your working space and maintain it as clean and tidy as possible. Besides, it is particularly important that you keep south area of your desk free of objects since this area is one which corresponds to career according to bagua map.

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