Attitude

Today is a continuation of discussing the idea that there are two things in life you can unequivocally control, your attitude and effort. Yesterday was a discussion of effort, today is a breakdown of attitude. Attitude is an emotional response we project outward. It is a feeling others can sense and shapes the interactions we have. Our attitude has the capability to open or close doors based on how we project ourselves— this projection is all within our control.

While effort is an action characteristic, attitude is one based on reaction or response. What our attitude bases itself on is external circumstances. The ego and feedback posts at a core level are previous posts relating to our attitudes. If our ego bristles and causes us to be angry, that is a reflection of choosing to act that way. If we talk back to feedback or reject it, that is our choice to be negative about the gift of feedback. Choosing to have positive attitudes will take us further in life than the alternative. Having a positive attitude in the face of adversity is entirely our choice but is not the easy choice to make. However, in making this hard choice we are setting ourselves up for a better life.

You lost your job, how are you attacking each day? Seeking opportunity or wallowing in pity?

You suffered an injury, how are you responding to treatment? Working to come back stronger or thinking of what you were pre-injury?

Your partner broke up with you, how are you living? Are you living in the past or trying to move on?

All of these scenarios, and most situations in life, have opportunities for a positive or negative attitude to form. Which one do you want in your own life?

Our attitude shapes our outlook on life and creates the emotions we feel. By choosing to see things from a glass-half-full perspective or in a positive light, we have a leg up on not only managing our emotions but also on those who choose to live in the negative. Negative events and situations are part of life. We have every right to react negatively but we also have that same right to shape our reaction to be positive. How we choose to shape our attitudes can help lead us to overcome or succumb to these events. Positivity will win out in the long run and being positive stems from the individual choice to change our attitudes. Change your attitude, and begin to change your life.