The following 10 tips suggest ways to facilitate a more positive attitude.
1. Work first on your relationships.
Relationships are both our best sources of happiness and our biggest sources of problems and frustrations. Developing good relationships and improving or ending the poor relationships in your life will increase your personal energy. An effective tactic to start improving your relationships is to develop better personal boundaries and standards and work on reducing toleration.
2. Develop a routine to start every day in a positive mental state.
It is very helpful to start the day with a routine that creates positive energy. Many people find activities like an early morning walk, exercise, meditation, quiet time, etc., effective in getting their day off to a positive start. It is easier to stay positive, if you can start with a positive attitude.
3. Learn how to monitor your current mental state and changes to it.
This is a complex area, but if you can link negative mood changes to a source or cause, then you are frequently in a position to quickly change back. The important point here is once you are in a negative state, get the message or value from the situation, then take some action to return to a positive state. This is discussed more in #6 below.
4. Create an energizing physical environment.
Invest some time and money to make your personal surroundings pleasing and energizing to you.
Some small items may make a big difference to how your personal space affects your moods. Poor lighting can lower your mental state, especially in the winter. I put 800 watts of halogen lighting in my workspace and noticed a big mood improvement. Some people report a big improvement in their mood just by cleaning up their bedroom and making the bed before leaving for work. Clutter is de-energizing to many people. A sink full of dirty dishes is de-energizing to some. A small water fountain can create a feeling of energy. Music can offset feelings of isolation. Feng Shui is an entire discipline that addresses the harmony of physical surroundings. Further reading in this topic may give you some good ideas.
5. Carefully monitor your self-talk.
Negative self talk is a common source of low moods. When you are hearing negative self talk, be alert to the unrealistic, overly negative messages. Focus on getting any truthful message, then shifting out of overly self-defeating criticism. It is true that we are usually our own worst critic.
6. Develop methods of shifting yourself to a more positive state.
Once you are aware of your negative moods, and have developed your own method of getting the value out of the bad mood, then craft methods of moving back to a positive mood. These methods can include positive self talk, taking action towards a desirable goal, interacting with another person. One creative method is to maintain a Truth Journal in which you write down your personal Truth about various topics. This Truth can include past successes, what you are really good at, things you enjoy, compliments you have received, progress towards goals, etc. Then, when you are feeling negative about a topic, read the Truth Journal.
7. Deal with problems effectively.
Problems are a part of life. Few people enjoy problems. But, in many cases we can learn from problems. It may help to ask yourself several questions, such as:
* What am I contributing to this problem?
* What Life Lesson have I been missing here?
* What is the worst that can happen and how can I improve on that?
* What am I doing right?
* What am I going to do differently?
Getting into a habit of using problems as learning experiences can help us avoid becoming de-energized when they occur.
8. Focus your energy on attracting more of what you want.
Time and energy spent dwelling on problems is frequently better spent pursuing desirable goals. It helps to examine your own contribution to any difficulties and understand how you may need to change. Then be sure to ask others directly for what you want from them; don’t fall into the trap of under communicating. In this way, you are always making course corrections and moving forward. I have found it helpful to print out a list of goals, and my theme for the week first thing Monday morning. This seems to help me get started on a positive note.
9. Be a positive energy source with others.
Negative energy seems to attract negative results. Keeping your own mood positive can encourage positive moods and suppress negative behavior in others.
10. Avoid using negative energy as an energy source.
Many people have a shortage of positive energy in their lives and use negative energy as their energy source. They create busyness, use deadlines, crises, and problems to keep them going. In many cases, their motivation patterns shift entirely from seeking pleasure to avoiding pain. In most cases, serious burnout is the eventual result of becoming dependent on negative energy sources.
About the Author:
This piece was originally submitted by Bruce St.John, Leadership Coach, who can be reached at bstjohn@aol.com, or visited on the web. Bruce St.John wants you to know: I help business leaders become the person their dog thinks they are!
As always check out www.attitudedriveslife.com for t shirts, audio and our books!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
16 Ways To Boost Your Attitude
16 Tips to Giving Your Attitude a Boost
Your attitude is everything. It is how you see the things around you, how you deal with the situations you face, and what you think about life. The difference between a positive and negative attitude could be the difference between a positive or negative life.
The tips below are quick and highly effective. Make use of them today and start getting results immediately.
1. Rise and Shine!
Getting up early and taking a walk in the morning is a great way to start the day. Fifteen or twenty minutes is plenty of time for a quick walk in the brisk morning air.
2. Tomorrow is a New Day
When things aren't going the way you might like them to go, remember that as time passes, so do your troubles. At the time it may be hard to realize that things will get better, but rest assured they will.
3. Control
The only one who can give you a good attitude is you. And the great news is, it can happen whenever you want it to. You could wake up tomorrow with a brand new outlook on life. And why? Because your attitude is yours to control. You don't need permission from anyone to change it.
4. Circle of Friends
You may be trying to stay positive, but if your friends or coworkers are negative, it may make for a losing battle. The company you keep impacts your attitude greatly. Seldom will you find a group of negative thinkers and one positive attitude together. Negativity can spread, so be sure to keep clear of noticeably negative situations.
5. Healthy Diet
You have heard it a thousand times, and this will make it a thousand and one. A good diet is vital to maintaining energy, alertness, and a positive attitude. Without the necessary amounts of fuel for your body, it cannot function properly. If you find yourself in a tired and negative mood, ask yourself, 'Have I eaten yet today?'
6. Sleep
Just as important as a healthy diet is the right amount of sleep. It seems obvious but many people don't get enough sleep at night. Without rest, the body and mind become irritable, fatigued, and they drag through the day. The same effects can result from oversleeping. Make sure you get the sleep you need each night.
7. Your Hobby to the Rescue
It is important to have a fun hobby or activity that you can do when facing a problem or a long, hectic day. Sports, books, collecting, etc. are great ways to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy yourself.
8. Do Unto Others
It's true what they say, you get what you give. When you focus on treating others positively and with respect, you will, in most cases, receive the same treatment. Change the focus from yourself to others and let the giving spirit be the reason for your improved view of the world.
9. The Bigger Picture
When you think of the world as a whole, it may serve to downplay the obstacles in your life that cause frustration or complication. You might have it bad, but the odds are that someone else has it worse. That in itself is enough to make people thankful for what they have.
10. Try Something New
If you feel like you're stuck and you need a way to break out, try something new. Picking up a new instrument, trying out a new sport, or discovering a new talent may add some excitement and enjoyment to your life.
11. Past Proofs
Others have successfully done what you are trying to do, and that is why you should be positive about the future. It doesn't matter what you are trying to accomplish, the chances are that someone has done it. That means you can do it too. We are all human, and we all have the same 24 hours in each day. If they can do it, so can you.
12. Stop It
If you get up on the wrong side of the bed, that doesn't mean you have to go to bed on that same wrong side. If your day begins poorly, make an effort to correct its direction. Realize you aren't happy and fix the problem. Your bad beginning could turn into a happy end.
13. You Need Bad Days
If you do have a bad day though, that's all right. Some people have trouble with that thought. They think that one bad day is not acceptable, making it even worse for them. We all have an off day. The important thing is to make sure we improve the next.
14. Write It Down
Want a positive attitude? Describe your attitude in writing. Your plan will be easier to work if you know what you want. Knowing you want a better attitude may not be enough. Get specific, plan your work, and work your plan.
15. Helping Hands
Bringing your friends and family into the picture is a great way to keep you heading in the right direction. Tell some friends about your desire for a better attitude and tell them to let you know when you are getting negative. You may not want to admit you have a negative attitude, but your friends sure will tell you.
16. Be the Optimist
Being the optimist for others can help you see the positive things in your own life. When a friend comes to you with a problem, remind yourself that you are trying to improve your attitude and make your best effort to give the most positive advice you can. It doesn't have to be overdone, but it should have a very positive flavor to it.
Make use of the above tips and you'll find yourself a true optimist in no time!
Thank you and a Shout Out to a companion site Motivation123.com for supplying the article. Thank You!
Have an Excellent Day.
Your attitude is everything. It is how you see the things around you, how you deal with the situations you face, and what you think about life. The difference between a positive and negative attitude could be the difference between a positive or negative life.
The tips below are quick and highly effective. Make use of them today and start getting results immediately.
1. Rise and Shine!
Getting up early and taking a walk in the morning is a great way to start the day. Fifteen or twenty minutes is plenty of time for a quick walk in the brisk morning air.
2. Tomorrow is a New Day
When things aren't going the way you might like them to go, remember that as time passes, so do your troubles. At the time it may be hard to realize that things will get better, but rest assured they will.
3. Control
The only one who can give you a good attitude is you. And the great news is, it can happen whenever you want it to. You could wake up tomorrow with a brand new outlook on life. And why? Because your attitude is yours to control. You don't need permission from anyone to change it.
4. Circle of Friends
You may be trying to stay positive, but if your friends or coworkers are negative, it may make for a losing battle. The company you keep impacts your attitude greatly. Seldom will you find a group of negative thinkers and one positive attitude together. Negativity can spread, so be sure to keep clear of noticeably negative situations.
5. Healthy Diet
You have heard it a thousand times, and this will make it a thousand and one. A good diet is vital to maintaining energy, alertness, and a positive attitude. Without the necessary amounts of fuel for your body, it cannot function properly. If you find yourself in a tired and negative mood, ask yourself, 'Have I eaten yet today?'
6. Sleep
Just as important as a healthy diet is the right amount of sleep. It seems obvious but many people don't get enough sleep at night. Without rest, the body and mind become irritable, fatigued, and they drag through the day. The same effects can result from oversleeping. Make sure you get the sleep you need each night.
7. Your Hobby to the Rescue
It is important to have a fun hobby or activity that you can do when facing a problem or a long, hectic day. Sports, books, collecting, etc. are great ways to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy yourself.
8. Do Unto Others
It's true what they say, you get what you give. When you focus on treating others positively and with respect, you will, in most cases, receive the same treatment. Change the focus from yourself to others and let the giving spirit be the reason for your improved view of the world.
9. The Bigger Picture
When you think of the world as a whole, it may serve to downplay the obstacles in your life that cause frustration or complication. You might have it bad, but the odds are that someone else has it worse. That in itself is enough to make people thankful for what they have.
10. Try Something New
If you feel like you're stuck and you need a way to break out, try something new. Picking up a new instrument, trying out a new sport, or discovering a new talent may add some excitement and enjoyment to your life.
11. Past Proofs
Others have successfully done what you are trying to do, and that is why you should be positive about the future. It doesn't matter what you are trying to accomplish, the chances are that someone has done it. That means you can do it too. We are all human, and we all have the same 24 hours in each day. If they can do it, so can you.
12. Stop It
If you get up on the wrong side of the bed, that doesn't mean you have to go to bed on that same wrong side. If your day begins poorly, make an effort to correct its direction. Realize you aren't happy and fix the problem. Your bad beginning could turn into a happy end.
13. You Need Bad Days
If you do have a bad day though, that's all right. Some people have trouble with that thought. They think that one bad day is not acceptable, making it even worse for them. We all have an off day. The important thing is to make sure we improve the next.
14. Write It Down
Want a positive attitude? Describe your attitude in writing. Your plan will be easier to work if you know what you want. Knowing you want a better attitude may not be enough. Get specific, plan your work, and work your plan.
15. Helping Hands
Bringing your friends and family into the picture is a great way to keep you heading in the right direction. Tell some friends about your desire for a better attitude and tell them to let you know when you are getting negative. You may not want to admit you have a negative attitude, but your friends sure will tell you.
16. Be the Optimist
Being the optimist for others can help you see the positive things in your own life. When a friend comes to you with a problem, remind yourself that you are trying to improve your attitude and make your best effort to give the most positive advice you can. It doesn't have to be overdone, but it should have a very positive flavor to it.
Make use of the above tips and you'll find yourself a true optimist in no time!
Thank you and a Shout Out to a companion site Motivation123.com for supplying the article. Thank You!
Have an Excellent Day.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Unrealistic Goals
square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have
no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the
human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world - are the ones who Do!"
For those of you who remember, this was said by Steve Jobs when he was working to unveil a new ad campaign as new 'interim' CEO of Apple Computers in 1997; the beginning of the 'Think Different' campaign. It was inspired by the original Macintosh group from the eighties and how 'crazy' they all were. This quote perfectly illustrates the truth I wish to share with you today. That truth is: The more unrealistic the goal the easier it is to achieve.
Steve Jobs epitomized this truth, he was a rebel, a purist, and a control freak but the greatest attribute about him was most definitely his passion. A passion for products, he would dream up these products and desire to make them aesthetically pleasing and tell the engineers to put in the components after wards, instead of letting the engineers create their boards and circuits then building the computer around them. He changed the world because he never excepted 'good enough' or 'ok' . He strived for perfection and didn't care about hurting feelings along the way. With that we have ipods, ipads, iphones, technology that has changed the world and the way we communicate.
Another example of someone who strives for perfection and set lofty goals even though they were completely unrealistic was a man by the name of Henry Ford. When he met with his engineers to discuss a new design for an engine they were astounded by what he had suggested, with them replying it was impossible.
This was the incredible V8 that Ford was dreaming about, he demanded that his engineers find a way to develop an engine with 8 cylinders cast in a solid block. Like I said they all said it was impossible, he just said to them, I don't care how long it takes I just want the plans for it so we can put it into production. You will find a way. For a whole year he continued to apply pressure on his engineers while they worked away and kept being met with failure he kept pushing them to continue to try no matter how much time they needed. You will find a way.
After that year he met with his engineers and they miraculously found a way to make the V8 cast in a single block. Amazing, determination and motivation led to; Success. Funny how that happens, something that was impossible wasn't.
These stories should help us realize the fact that just because it isn't accepted as possible doesn't mean it isn't. It only means that no one has tried hard enough to complete the task to find the right applications necessary to bring the impossible into the possible. Think about 30 years ago when no one had a cell phone, now you can buy things from your phone.
So be crazy and determined, you will change the world if your intentions are true enough.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Ten Motivational Quotes for those who don't care about Motivational Quotes.
1. Mark Twain
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.2. Luigi Pirandello
In bed my real love has always been the sleep that rescued me by allowing me to dream.3. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.4. Zig Ziglar
People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.5. T. S. Elliot
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.6. Buddha
All that we are is the result of what we have thought.7. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.8. Peter F. Drucker
We know nothing about motivation. All we can do is write books about it.9. Nora Roberts
If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.10. Stephen Covey
Begin with the end in mind.
The following ten articles were compiled by By Simran Khurana from About.com. We are grateful for being able to share such great wisdom, and my hope is that this post can help just one person a day.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Breaking into the Motivational Market
This blog post is sort of an explanation of the blog itself and my website. It's an answer to the question; what is this guy trying to do? or who is this guy trying to help? It is my ambition to better organize the site and the blog in the coming weeks to make it easier to identify with but in the mean time I figure I would just write a post about it.
My products are going to include books, workbooks, audio cds, video, and e-book downloads. I want to help everyone I can, from the struggling business owner to the high school kid with a negative attitude. I want to cater to the needs of them and everyone in between. That is why I am putting an excerpt of my book on the post. I am looking for a little feedback, the book is almost through the editing process; and I wanted to give anyone out there who is intrigued about my book a little glimpse of what they will be getting if they do decide to purchase. Here is a little bit of chapter two from my book; ' Success through Failure' :
We become the decisions that we make, the paths that we choose. We become the experiences that we encounter with those decisions that we make. My experiences differ from yours because we are all different and have made different choices in our lives. What we do share in our commonalities is how we learn from our different experiences; we may choose to foolishly disregard learning from a certain experience or we may take the lesson and apply it to our lives for the betterment of ourselves and those around us.
For example, I have an interesting story involving my kayak and a waterfall. About five miles from my house is a state forest with a large creek running through it. The state land is about 2,400 acres and consists of a gorge ranging from 350 to 480 feet deep, to where the creek is at the bottom. It is made up of some of the oldest forests in New York, multiple ponds and over a dozen waterfalls. The story starts about fourteen miles upstream from the state land, where I had decided to enjoy a beautiful summers day by kayaking the creek. I launched my boat and set off by myself, not letting the fact that no one could join me deter me from the fun I was going to have. Considering that there are a lot of class two rapids and even a couple class threes, I left my phone and wallet in the car so they wouldn’t get destroyed. I jumped in my boat and paddled through the rocks. As I rounded the gentle flowing bends in the creek, taking in the scenery and a bald eagle perched on top of a giant pine tree, I noticed a patch of rapids followed by a drop of about 500 yards ahead of me in the creek. So after I traversed the minor rapids I paddled over to the shore to scope out the drop. I beached my boat to view a small waterfall of about ten feet. At the base of the waterfall was a tangled mess of massive trees broken, and twisted together from the last flood. I wouldn’t be able to go over the falls so I put my paddle in my boat and climbed down the rocks to launch at a safer point about 50 yards upstream. I climbed over the rocks and dragged my kayak back to the creek, went to grab my paddle and realized it was gone.
I am sure you could imagine the panic that came over me at that moment. I paced up and down the beach where I had carried my boat all the while hoping that it had just fallen out and was lying there somewhere. For about a half an hour I searched and concluded that it must have went over the falls and gotten stuck under the trees, a place I couldn’t safely go, especially by myself. So there I was: no phone, all alone and way too far to walk with the kayak, with no roads in sight. I was literally up the creek without a paddle. Instead of letting my situation get the best of me, I immediately started to form a strategy. I found an L shaped branch about four feet long that was about three inches in diameter on the one end to about a four inch diameter on the shorter end. That was my new paddle. I used it to navigate the remainder of the five miles downstream to where I was going to be picked up; needless to say it was not easy or safe. Looking back on the situation, I am glad I made the right choice not to get discouraged and let that situation ruin an otherwise beautiful trip. I was actually laughing about losing my paddle and being able to say that I have been ‘up the creek without a paddle’ and actually mean it literally. I will always remember the wonderful time I had that day. Also, I now have a hilarious story to share with other about my experiences.
Any feedback would be appreciated and if you would like a copy of it please go to www.attitudedriveslife.com and pre order yours today. Thank you for taking the time to read it and comment.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
12 Attributes You Must Have to Succeed in the Business Universe
1. Hate the Status Quo – It doesn't make sense to you that something has been done the time-honored way with no explanation why. You are not someone who wants to just go through the motions or sit by idly. Nor do you like following the pack.
2. Easily Bored - You find yourself easily bored, and others start viewing you as a problem. But nothing is wrong with you except that you are bored with activities that aren't up to your abilities and aren't challenging. That's why you hated most of the classes you ever attended. Think Bill Gates who dropped out of college to become one of the richest men in the world.
3. Fired from Jobs – You're too creative for your own good when it comes to working for others, and you may have some history, as I do, of losing jobs. Being just a cog in wheel is very difficult for you because you want to create something others can be inspired by and contribute to.
4. Labeled a Rebel - You know that greatness resides outside the lines of conformity and don't think that policies, laws and regulations apply to you. You have been described as a rebel and rule breaker and would defy gravity if you could.
5. Resist Authority - You have a lifelong record of resisting authority from your parents, teachers and bosses. You don't go along with the agreed upon norms of the group or community you work and live in.
6. Ready to Improve Everything - You always see how you could do things better. In addition, you are opinionated and freely give your two-cents about your better way of doing things--even when you're not asked.
7. Bad at Making Small Talk - You have difficulty making the kind of small talk that so many people get comfort from. This social pattern of relationship and rapport building seems like a waste of time to you and makes you uncomfortable.
8. Bullied in Your Youth - You may have been heavily criticized, picked on and even bullied as a child or teenager. This has caused you to be driven to excel and to prove to the world that you are indeed a force to be reckoned with.
9. Obsessive - You may have been labeled obsessive/compulsive because when you get started on something you have difficulty letting go. Don't let anyone convince you that this is a disease or deficiency. All of the great entrepreneurs become completely immersed in their vision. Howard Schultz stuck with Starbucks even when his family tried to persuade him not to.
10. Scared to Go Solo - The entrepreneur in you is scared of going out on your own—and also terrified of not doing so. This fear is so common in our society because we've been conditioned to think that entrepreneurship is much riskier than getting a "good job." The reality is there is instability in both.
11. Unable to Unwind - You can't go to sleep at night because you can't turn your thoughts off. An idea may even manifest itself in your dreams. The next morning you find yourself still consumed with that idea, distracting you from the job you're supposed to be doing.
12. Don't Fit the Norm - You have always been a bit uncomfortable in your own skin. Until you get used to the idea that you are in fact different from most people, it could prove to be a problem--or exactly the motivation you need to acknowledge the entrepreneur screaming to get out.
Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
15 Inspirational Quotes You Must Read
It is in our ability to change whatever we want. Too many people do not care about changing the things in their lives; they do not care about the consequences until they must face them, then they complain about fairness and get angry about their circumstances. Why do we constantly do this and never truly try to change? I will give you one powerful reason.
Too many people care too much about what other people think about them, so much that it keeps them from reaching their potential.
Here are 15 inspirational quotes from people who did not care what others thought. I promise it will help your life.
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine
“Its hard to wait around for something you know might never happen; but its harder to give up when you know its everything you want.” – Unknown
“One of the most important keys to Success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you don't feel like doing it.” - Unknown
“Good things come to those who wait… greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen.” - Unknown
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” - Denis Waitley
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby
“Go where you are celebrated – not tolerated. If they can’t see the real value of you, it’s time for a new start.” – Unknown
Don't be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone.. - Unknown
“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
“Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will.” - Unknown
“I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. Its because of them I’m doing it myself.” – Albert Einstein
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs
As always thanks for reading and don't forget to support me and my new book coming out this week. Pre-Order now at www.attitudedriveslife.com ... Thank you in advance for your support.
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