Turn Attitude Into Action:
10 Dynamic Steps That Will Change Your Life
by Keith Harrell
1) Understand the Power of Attitude: Attitude is Everything
Attitude=Life. See things this way, and you can begin to see how powerfully this one simple word can change your destiny. Use these four mental exercises—1) focus on handling stress, 2) identify your negative/pessimistic thoughts; 3) tell a supportive person how you feel; and 4) diffuse potential problems by dealing with them directly—to help you stay positive even in the most challenging times.
2) Choose to Take Charge of Your Life: Attitude is a Choice
Attitude is a choice in the same way that we choose our clothing, our careers, and our companions. Most of us are our own worst critics, so attitude management begins with careful monitoring of our internal dialogue. Constantly remind yourself that life doesn’t happen to you—you are an active participant. Take responsibility for choosing how you respond to whatever the world throws at you, good or bad.
3) Identify through Self-Awareness the Attitudes That Hold You Back or Propel You Forward: Bag Your Bad Attitude
“If-only” baggage chains us to the past. “What now?” baggage paralyzes us in the present. “What if?” baggage makes us fear the future. Identify the root causes of your bad attitude: low self esteem, stress, fear, resentment, anger, inability to handle change…? Then, toss your bad attitude baggage and learn how to shift turning points into learning points.
4) Re-Frame Your Bad Attitude: Change Your Bad Attitude for Good
Move from a perspective of blame to one of responsibility. When faced with a major challenge, keep the 3P’s in mind: 1) Permanent: It’s not going to last forever. 2) Pervasive: It’s not going to destroy your entire life. 3) Personal: You are not the only one this happens to.
5) Find Your Purpose and Passion: Turn Attitude Into Action!
Living your life with purpose and passion—having a personal vision—is critical to achieving success. Create a personal and professional life plan that includes “dreams with deadlines”—mini-goals and timeframes that will keep you focused and on-track. Select “goal-models”—people with similar goals whose successes inspire you to be your best.
6) Be Pre-Active: Warning: Attitude Hazards Ahead
Avoid common Attitude Hazards like self-doubt, frustration, fear of failure, anxiety, anger, victimization, and blame. Learn to actively monitor your attitude so that you can respond (make a positive and constructive mental adjustment) rather than react (go with your gut emotional instinct) to challenges and setbacks. Start by controlling how you respond to minor annoyances—missing the bus, spilling coffee on your new shirt. Remember: how you recover from little problems determines your ability to handle bigger ones.
7) Discover How to Motivate Yourself: Your Attitude Tool Kit
Use these powerful self-coaching tools: 1) Affirmations (repeat positive thoughts constantly and out loud), 2) Self-motivation (turn attitude to action by working toward a specific result), 3) Visualization (see yourself succeeding), 4) Attitude talk (engage in positive, ongoing internal dialogue), 5) Positive greetings (tell people how you want to feel—superfantastic!—rather than how you feel), 6) Enthusiasm (put yourself in motion!), 7) Spiritual empowerment (feed your spirit), 8) Humor (laugh at life), and 9) Exercise (lift your mood and improve your health).
8) Build Supportive Relationships: Build Your A-Team
Surround yourself with people who will help you fight off negative attitudes and build positive ones. Build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships through networking, shared vision, and shared values. Create a nontoxic zone around yourself by limiting your exposure to negative people. Defend yourself against toxic people you can’t avoid by staying focused on maintaining your own positive attitude.
9) See Change as an Opportunity: Develop a Whatever-It-Takes Attitude
Create a positive attitude about change by using ten simple strategies: 1) Tap into the power of your subconscious, 2) Pause to reflect, 3) Keep your long-term goals in mind, 4) Avoid “learned helplessness,” 5) Maintain physical, mental, and spiritual balance, 6) Acknowledge change, 7) Convert threats into opportunities, 8) Turn the change into a challenge, 9) Turn on the positive energy, 10) Seek support from members of your A-team.
10) Leave a Lasting Legacy: Make a Mark That Cannot Be Erased
Get involved in something greater than yourself. Reach out to make a difference in the lives of your family, friends, and community.
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Keith Harrell, motivational guru to entrepreneurs and to Fortune 500 companies ranging from Coca-Cola to MCI to 3Com, shares his 10-step program for tuning up your attitude and improving your professional and personal life. Harrell is the author of Attitude is Everything 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action (Published by Cliff Street Books/Harper Collins; 0-06-019605-X; $24.00US/$36.50CAN; May 00). |