Entrepreneurial nice day

Ever wondered what someone has in mind when they say "have a nice day?" Years ago, two days after landing at JFK as a foreign student, I heard the phrase for the first time. I turned to say thank you only to realize that the other student just walked away. I experienced the same with "see you later", to which I used to answer "when?" as I watched the person walk away.

It took me a while to realize that no one really meant what they said and that it wasn't personal but just a form of a greeting. What a letdown, I really thought they cared.

So now years later and as an entrepreneur, "have a nice day" takes on a whole new meaning: I want this to come true in a big way. "Look, if you make it happen for me, I promise I'll return the favor and wish for you a have a nice day every day  for a week, no joke!"

It's not that business owners never have a nice day, it's the realization that we really have to sweat it out to have one. But, it comes with the territory just like the physical and emotional rollercoaster that seems to end when we crash and go to sleep. But, we know better than to think that way do we?

Ohhh, if there's one thing I hang onto, That gets me through the night. I ain't gonna do what I don't want to, I'm gonna live my life. Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice, Standing on the ledge, I show the wind how to fly. When the world gets in my face, I say, Have A Nice Day. Have A Nice Day (Bon Jovi)

I don't have high demands. As a matter of fact I want nothing in return; I just want to have a nice day. Which brings up the original question of what is nice: making a big sales? Not screwing up? Being productive? Experiencing kindness? Or maybe just having an uneventful day?

Is having a nice day the same as having a good day? I dont' think so. A good day is by definition not a bad day and we all know what that means. A nice day is not the opposite of not-a-nice-day, it's just nice.

A good day is a temporary respite: "I'm having a good day" is always accompanied by looking over your shoulder, checking your inbox and wondering "how long is it going to last before something bad happens?"  I know what you're thinking, "this guy is really negative." I'm not, I'm a realist, I'm an entrepreneur of the kind that doesn't believe in reciting mantras that business is great and hoping that it'll come true.

Nothing in entrepreneurship happens because you wished it to be: you work hard; sometimes you have a good day and sometimes you don't.

I want a nice day.

All I am saying is that a good day is the opposite of a bad day and a nice day just stands on its own and that's why I like it. A nice day is untouchable, you own it and then you soak every minute of it. For some reason, nice doesn't feel threatened, whereas bad is always lurking around a good day.

So an entrepreneurial nice day is the one you embrace, hug, and never let go. Nice doesn't need a specific reason, it just is. I like nice because in a complex world full of push and pull, ups and downs and a ton of unexpected outcomes, nice is simple.

I love simple. I miss simple. I'll take a nice day any day and I wish for you to have one soon too.