Monday, December 27, 2010

Steps to building a positive attitude:

Step 1: change the focus, look for positive:
People find what they are looking for. So if you are looking for negative, you’ll find negative. If you are looking for positive, you’ll find positive. Keep in mind, looking for positive doesn’t mean overlooking faults.

Step 2: Make a habit of doing it now:
If you want to build and maintain a positive attitude, get into the habit of living in the present and doing it now.

Step 3: Develop and attitude of gratitude:
We are so focused on complaining about things we don’t have that we lose the sight of the things we have. There is a lot to be thankful for. One thing else, it doesn’t mean that you become complacent.

Step 4: Get into a continuous education program:
Besides school and college, we have to learn more and get more educated. Besides getting education for the purpose of increasing our information, we have to get moral and ethical literacy and build our traits such as; honesty, compassion, courage and responsibility.

Step 5: Build a positive self-esteem:
Self-esteem is the way we feel about ourselves. When we feel well within, our performance goes up, our relationships improve both at work and at home. Keep in mind, there is a direct correlation between feeling and behavior. If you want to build a positive self-esteem, do something for others who cannot repay you in cash or kind.

Step 6: Get away from negativity:
- Negative people: Don’t let negative people drag you down. Remember, a person’s character is not only judged by the company she/he keeps but also by company he/she avoids.
- Smoking, drugs and alcohol.
- Pornography
- Negative movies and television programs
- Profanity

Step 7: Learn to like the things that need to be done:
Some things need to be done whether we like them or not. For example; mother caring for their young children. They may not be fun and games and may even be painful. But if we learn to like the task, the impossible becomes possible. Start by doing what is necessary then what is possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

Step 8: Start your day with positive:
Read or listen to something positive first thing in the morning. Practice having positive thoughts and behaviors daily until they become habit.

Building a positive attitude:

During childhood, we form attitudes that last a lifetime. When we become aware of our attitudes, we can change them but it will not be easy. For building and maintaining a positive attitude, we should:
- Become aware of principles that build a positive attitude.
- Cultivate the discipline and dedication to practice those principles.
We are responsible for our attitudes. People with negative attitude blame others for their failure. Thinking of positive things that are true, honest and good will put us in a positive state of mind.

When we become aware of our negative attitude, why don’t we change it?

Human generally resists change. Change is uncomfortable. Sometimes we get so comfortable with our negativity that even when the change is positive, we don’t accept it. We simply stay with negative.
There was a prisoner who had spent many years in prison. After a long time, he received his freedom. He was brought out of his cell. When he came out, after a few minutes, he was so uncomfortable with the change in his life that he requested to be sent back to his dark cell.

(From a book "YOU CAN WIN" by "SHIV KHERA:)

The consequences of a negative attitude:

Our life is an obstacle course and we become or own obstacle by having a negative attitude. People with a negative attitude have a hard time keeping friends, jobs, marriage and relationships. Negative attitude leads to:
- Bitterness
- Resentment
- A purposeless life
- Ill health
- High stress level of themselves and others.

(From a book "YOU CAN WIN" by "SHIV KHERA:)

How do you recognize people with positive attitude?

People with positive attitude have certain personality traits. They are caring, confident, patient and humble. A person with a positive attitude is like a fruit of all seasons. He/she is always welcomed.
The benefits of a positive attitude:
- Increases productivity
- Fosters team work
- Solves problems
- Improves quality
- Increases profit
- Fosters better relationships between employees, employers and customers.
- Reduces stress.