Regardless of the number of degrees you have, the truth is that much of your success is determined by your attitude. Education is worthwhile but a good attitude is priceless. If you search for an educational facility that has a concentration of study entitled “Attitude," you will come up empty-handed. Yet, the world would be a better place if we could all major in “Attitude."
If attitude is not taught in school, then how come some people have great attitudes and others don’t? More importantly, how can you change yours from a mediocre attitude to a magnificent one? Here are 9 steps to follow for succes this year.
1. To adjust your attitude, you must be brutally honest with yourself and take responsibility for your attitude. You are the only one who can change you. Be accountable for who you are and how you behave. Tell yourself that blame is unacceptable.
2. Recognize warning signs like negative thoughts, blame and pessimism. Your mind is like a computer; the beliefs you put in (input) create the actions you take out (output). For example, if you tell yourself that you are “just okay," you will be “just okay." What you think about, you will become.
3. Use positive, believed intentions. Tell yourself everyday that you are a person capable of achieving your goals. Replace ‘negative’ and ‘mediocre’ with ‘excellent’ and ‘amazing’. Stand up taller each morning. Breathe deeply to allow air into your diaphragm. Smile more, even at people you don’t know. Live a new level of excellence every day. Reach higher. Be better.
4. Your subconscious mind operates on images and pictures. Before you go to sleep, envision your ideal day. What are you doing? What are you wearing? Who are you with? Are you in a meeting, confidently speaking before your boss and colleagues? Are you on the beach playing with your children and spouse? Are you on your own in your gorgeous holiday house (that’s me)? See and feel yourself in this moment as a huge success. Do you want a new house, job or relationship? Imagine it as if it already happened.
5. Write down your goals. The subconscious mind kicks into action when you put your goals in writing. List three short-term and three long-term goals. Then, give your dreams deadlines (a date of accomplishment) and outline the steps and actions you will take every day to reach your goals and dreams.
6. Put your head down and focus. Successful people do not spend time with negative gossip and time wasters. Set your goals and get to work.
7. Think about a successful person you admire. What are his or her personality traits, characteristics and values? Chances are the person who came to mind is successful because he or she decided to be positive and upbeat, to expect great accomplishments and to focus on doing whatever it takes to achieve his or her goals. Surround yourself with cheerful, successful people.
8. Avoid ‘naysayers’ and ‘emotional vampires’ who shoot you down, people who worry about what you are doing, those who speak negatively or those who have poor work and personal habits.
9. Practice these ways to adjust your attitude for at least 21 days. That’s how long it takes to form a new habit.
Your mind is a fertile garden that will grow whatever you plant in it. So consider what seeds you are planting in your mind. Are you planting seeds of opportunity and growth or weeds like cynicism and mediocrity? Life is better when you have a good attitude.
So go ahead and give yourself the chance to move from mediocrity to open magnificence. We all have the toolbox of capabilities to do so. The key is to action the resources that we have!
‘’Cling not to memories or experiences: they are ever changing.’’ Padampa Sangye
