A sign has significance. This seems to mean that at the outset of every endeavor, every project, every mission and goal in life, the way you are—your attitude and the atmosphere you create—will set the course for the rest of that endeavor.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up? You express thanks. Why is that the first thing you do? I am establishing an attitude of gratitude, starting with gratitude. Why? Because a sign has significance: the way I begin sets the course for the rest of my day. My day should be one of gratitude. If I say thank you when I first wake up, when I get dressed, and when I take out my shoes, I am going to say thank you when I make that sale.
Otherwise, every time, I think it is me: it is my charm, my way, my pitch, my lines, the way I am able to arrange the window. Nobody has display windows anymore, right? Now it is my Amazon listing, where I took a picture and wrote a description. I think it is me. But if I begin by expressing thanks, there is less chance that I will attribute any of the success to myself. It sets an attitude of gratitude. That is how it works.
A person comes into his house. What is the first thing he says? How does this idea that a sign has significance apply? People walk in and ask, “What’s for dinner?” That is the way they begin: “What’s for dinner?” That is the atmosphere you are putting into your home. Is that the first thing you are telling your wife? “What’s for dinner?” Or do you say, “Hi, honey. How are you? How are you doing? It smells good. I missed you a little too much.” What are you setting in motion with those first words? What sign are you establishing in your marriage, or in your relationship with your child?
I know parents who ask their child, “So, did you get in trouble today? Did you get in trouble today?” I will tell you: if you keep asking them, the answer is going to be yes. Why? Because that is what you are infusing into your relationship.
What is the first thing you tell your child? “I love you.” “Good morning. How are you? How are you feeling? How’s it going?” That is the first thing you are supposed to say to a person. Why? I think that sets the tone of your relationship with that person for the rest of the day.