It's All About Attitude

"Most folks are about as happy as they
make up their minds to be."
Abraham Lincoln

The biggest difference between people is their attitudes. We can be positive or negative, enthusiastic or dull, active or passive. Our present attitudes are habits founded on the feedback of parents, friends, society and self. These attitudes are maintained by the inner conversations we constantly have with ourselves, both consciously and subconsciously. The first step in changing our attitudes is to change our inner conversations--our thought patterns.

In his article How to Be a Better Student, Donald Martin encourages the use of the 3 Cs--Commitment, Control, and Challenge--to help change negative thoughts into positive ones.

You have probably heard the story about the four-minute mile, but in case you haven't: For years people believed that it is impossible for a human being to run a mile in less than four minutes. That didn't stop Roger Banister from being committed to breaking that barrier. He did it in 1954. His commitment led to others' success; within one year, 37 runners ran the mile in under four minutes. Why? Because they no longer believed that they couldn't. They probably could have done it the same time Roger Banister did. It was the change in thinking that made the difference.

Our success and happiness depend on identifying our goals precisely and chasing them effectively. Make a positive commitment to yourself, to learning, work, family, friends, nature, and other worthwhile causes. Praise yourself and others. Dream of success. Be enthusiastic.Thoughts are instrumental in channeling energy towards the physical or mental condition they are about.

Frustration, helplessness, despair, and many other negative thoughts and feelings bubble up when we feel we have no control over a situation. Even if we cannot change the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we can always change our attitude about them. Often times when my children were complaining about a chore or a school assignment, I would tell them, "You can do it mad or you can do it glad. But you have to do it." So even the most challenging of circumstances can be met with a determination to face the situation positively. Remember that even out of times of great sorrow, precious gifts can come. An outstanding example is the Taj Mahal.

Since attitude is governed by how you think, start watching your thoughts. Consider writing down the negative thoughts you hear in your head most often, and then changing those thoughts to positive ones. Apart from being inspiring and assuring, the "replacement" thoughts should suggest action. "I can't do this" becomes not just "I can do this," but "I can do this because I have set aside the time and I have gathered the tools I need and if I work for just 10 minutes today, I can achieve my goal."

So think positive. Talk positive. Read positive quotes. Surround yourself with posters and cards that motivate and encourage you. You can't have too many to stash in numerous places where you are bound to look at them every day--in the house, in the car, in your briefcase. Keep files for positive quotes, feedback and other things that motivate you. Messages will stale with prolonged use, so keep changing their position and contents.

Keep your mind focused on important things. Set goals and priorities. Visualize to practice your actions. Develop a strategy for dealing with problems. Learn to relax. Enjoy successes. Be honest with yourself. All of these things put you in the driver's seat, no matter what circumstances you face.

Lastly, challenge yourself. Push yourself outside your comfort zone from time to time. It is one of the things that enhances creativity, but it does other things as well. It gives you practice handling the unfamiliar, and adapting to change. You can change and improve every day of your life and create exciting days to wake up and look forward to. These changes don't have to be huge or expensive. Simply changing your drive to work, or trying something new to eat can do the trick.

Do your best and don't look back. See learning and change as opportunities. Try new things. Consider several options. Meet new people. Ask lots of questions. Keep track of your mental and physical health. Be optimistic.

Studies show that people people who consciously modify their inner conversations and assumptions report an almost immediate improvement in their performance. Their energy increases and things seem to go better. Such characteristics make people winners in good times and survivors in hard times.

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.

It's All About Attitude

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