It is very likely that as you continue to follow me (all two of you) on this blog that you may or may not notice the trend in my writing. I tend to write about things I am working on, need to work on, or intend to work on as I move forward. Therefore, it is only appropriate this blog will address: ATTITUDE.
I am certain as a child we were all given the same warnings about our attitudes: “Listen missy, you had best change your attitude or else…,” “Do you need an attitude adjustment?,” “If the wind changes direction your face will freeze that way,” “Don’t smile, your face might crack!” If you haven’t heard any of these before, perhaps you have been called: “Debbie-Downer,” “Miss Priss,” “Cranky-pants,” “Negative-Nelly,” or “Mr./Mrs. Know-It-All.”
No, still nothing ringing a bell? Then congrats, you seem to have made it thus far with nothing but positivity seeping from you. Either that, or maybe you have such a scary demeanour that no one has told you how negative you really are. However, there is one more option; perhaps you are the type that has always managed to lay low and fly under the radar, you aren’t really negative nor are you overly positive and your choice vocabulary is “meh, doesn’t matter.” Regardless of where you fit, I know where I was, where I am and where I want to be; I highly suggest you figure out the same. This will require confronting brutal reality (which my husband has written about in his most recent blog post at www.surpassinggoliaths.blogspot.com).
In the past six months or so I have focused a lot of my reading on improving attitudes. A few of the best books I have come across, and that were recommended by some very successful mentors, include: “Attitude is Everything” by Jeff Keller and “The Difference Maker” by John C. Maxwell (it should be noted that pretty well anything written by John C. Maxwell is worth its weight in gold!).
Attitude is not at the flick of a switch, it is something that we have to be aware of daily in order to implement true improvement. We have to become aware of what we are saying to ourselves. Our subconscious mind is immensely more powerful than our conscious mind. This will require effort, commitment to change and patience. We will make mistakes and suffer disappointments; success is on the other side of failing and inconvenience. “It may not be your fault for being down, but it is your fault for not getting up.” (Steve Davis)
One of the first things I believe we could all strive to change (especially on these rainy May days) is the negative response we are so in tune to giving to a comment on how terrible the weather is. If we have a roof over our head, food in our belly and a safe and happy support circle of friends and family, why the hay do we complain about a few drops of rain or fluffs of cloud? And if that is truly what we are complaining about (and not just complaining to complain) then what do people in the desert complain about? You got it, heat.
We also need to be careful who we associate ourselves with. You know, the old “stay away from little Johnny” lecture your mom used to give you? Well, it proves a good point – those who occupy our time have a very significant impact over our mind, the most precious muscle in our body. Strive to be a “good finder.”It is perhaps one of the most productive things you can do today. Find the good in the person in front of you, or even in yourself. John C. Maxwell suggests that you list the top ten things you’ve done in your life which you are most proud of. In an effort to use these ten things daily to motivate you when you are down, create a gratitude book. When you are having a bad day flip through, it is sure to bring you back up and remind you how blessed you really are.
However, your attitude is ultimately your choice.
“There is a choice you have to make in everything you do, so keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.” (Unknown)
Keep Dreaming,
M
