First Step to a Better Life

     It is one six letter word that most would cringe at the thought of.  A simple six letter word that will affect all of us throughout our lifetimes, it is inevitable.  The direct truth of the matter is that our lives are constantly changing.  There is a direct response to how people react to change.  It all depends on which mindset you choose to employ.  This mindset will generally determine, the amount of happiness in your life, whether you enjoy your career, how you manage your relationships, it can even effect how much money you make.

The Fixed Mindset
     In my travels and trips I have spoke to many different kinds of people, among many different socio-economic backgrounds and I have discovered that people who have a fixed mindset are generally dissatisfied with their income, relationships, career, and direction in life.  A fixed mindset is a personal belief that the skills, intelligence, abilities or traits are what you are born with and there is little to no chance of changing or improving these traits.
     These types of mindsets have a limited belief structure that inhibits growth and change.  Those who choose this mindset usually have learned it from a negative situation or through an acquired trait from someone they are close with, such as a parent or friend.   It is outlined by people who are overly concerned with the optics of how they appear to others rather than an inward view of their personalities. They are made up of people who have emotions of bitterness towards those who succeed, a general sense of victim hood or entitlement, and live lives full of stagnation and adverse cyclical patterns.  The effects of the fixed mindset can be changed by a conscious, honest look at ones' self and a determination to employ a growth oriented mindset rather than a fixed mindset.
   
The Growth Mindset
     While discussing the habits of success or the traits that many people equate to success with others I find that all of the people who anyone would consider 'successful' employ a growth oriented mindset.  This is defined as a revelation in ones life where there is a conscious decision to change and improve any talent, skill, trait, or ability.  Having the growth mindset is employed by having a belief system that is virtually limitless.  These people believe they can achieve anything and not only do they believe and plan, but they act on those beliefs everyday.
     People who believe in acquiring the growth mindset organize their daily schedules in ways that allow time to work on improving the traits and abilities in which they desire to improve.

In conclusion, having a growth oriented mindset is the difference between those who achieve the things in which they desire and those who do not.
     
I am developing a training program that will be available at www.attitudedriveslife.com to be available March 20 2016.

5 Great Steps to Organize Your Life. Now!

 

  Ever feel like you are making changes and working hard but never making any progress?  It is a feeling many people struggle with.  I would like to say you are not alone and you are most likely a victim of your own complexity.  We desire change in our lives but do not realize how simple the little things can be to change.  We complicate things to the point where they are unrecognizable and we get frustrated and give up to going back to what is secure, easy, and safe.  We are trapped by our own complications.    So how do we break these cycles of frustration and get the proverbial truck out of the mud.

1. Focus on your destination.

      If you have these feelings of stagnation and frustration in your desire to change things in your life it is most likely because you have not effectively communicated your desired outcome to yourself.  How you communicate with yourself is one of the most important things we can learn in our lives.  Mastering this can help you accomplish how you look at situations differently than others and how you respond to changes. Self communication is the way you speak to yourself, it is how you tell yourself you are doing great or that you are terrible. It is often the difference maker in whether you succeed in life or whether you do not. Now in desiring change in our lives  what we need to do is specifically determine our destination.  How do you know which direction you are going if you don't have the map.  Make sure you know exactly where you want to be or what you want to obtain from making the specific change you are after. 

2.Outline a plan.

      Another reason most people feel like they are spinning their tires in the mud regarding to making lasting change in their lives is lack of an active plan.  Most folks truly want to change the negative habits in their lives but have no idea of how to get their.  They can see themselves at their destination but the course is foggy; with not a path to follow most people wander in circles eventually giving up on their desired outcome.  When people state their outcome; for example, if you want to lose 40 pounds.  They have a good picture in their head of what being 40 pounds lighter will seem like.  What most fail to do is communicate effectively with themselves on how to obtain this goal.  Anyone who needs to lose weight knows that dieting doesn't work for the long term and working out is usually difficult to stick with for the duration.  So you need to  change the way you talk to yourself.  Instead of planning a diet or joining a gym, take up a new hobby.  Something that will be fun to do, like kayaking, hiking, biking, or maybe playing a sport you have always wanted to play.  Then the focus is on enjoying your new hobby instead of the dread of going to the gym or how much food you can't eat with your new diet.  The natural result of your new hobby will be that you get to do something fun and you will lose weight in the process without even really thinking about it
.  It is win, win.  All by just adjusting how you speak to yourself and the type of plan that you choose to implement.

3.  Take action.

     No trip is every taken just because you have a map, an itinerary and a suitcase full of clothes.  You actually have to take some type of action to take a vacation.  Get in the car, on the plane or in the boat and take off.  Same is true for your outcome.  Take your destination, and your plan and take the first step.  Usually this takes you stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something you wouldn't normally do, but that is when you grow the most.  The sheltered plant in the shade doesn't grow, it withers.   Don't be that plant, step outside your comfort zone and take real action.  If you are not seeing any results than change your action to get the desired results that you are looking to attain. 

4. Reinforcement

     Experts say it takes about 21 days for you to form a new habit.  So don't give up on your new actions that are moving you toward your goals. Really enforce them and practice them over and over until they are solidified as new positive habits.  Then your desired outcome isn't only your goal but it becomes part of your life.  Reinforcement of your habits will determine your eventual success of your outcome.

5.  Educate others.

     Once you have followed the steps and actually accomplished changing poor habits in your life you cannot help but want to show others how to they too can change those little things in their lives.  Share with them the information they need, and encourage them every step of the way.  Let them know that if you can do it anyone can.  That is what I always tell people, I am just a normal person but I never gave up on my dreams for sake of safety or security.  I want to help others accomplish more in their lives and give up their poor habits and implement them with excellent ones.

I hope this post was helpful and have fun with your journey.  If you have anymore questions or seek more information check out my website at www.attitudedriveslife.com

.....and as always thank you!

3 Ways Your Attitude Can Alter Your Life.

    

When it comes to attitude most people have heard the following mantra; always be positive, don't let the negative consume your thoughts.  While this is true and a very important principle to attitude it only grazes the surface of what attitude is and how greatly we can let it affect us.  Whether we allow it to effect our lives in a positive way or negative way is completely dependent on our habitual reactions, thinking processes, and circumstances in our past.  If we become presently aware of these 3 vitally important principles then we can manipulate attitude to present us with clear and precise results.

1. Habitual Reactions

     Your habitual reactions are the subconscious decisions your mind automatically makes when presented with a problem or situation.  The reaction is the first thing that you think of when these problems or situations present themselves to you; your automatic response.  For example, you get stuck at a red light then another, and another; Do you think great now I am going to be late or are you thinking maybe I am getting stuck at these lights for a reason; maybe to learn to be more patient.  Possibly you may think; "I maybe stuck at this light so that I won't get hit by the guy on his phone who is going to drive through the next one."  There are ways we can program our mind to build these reactions into constructive thoughts that will only build momentum and positive solutions to these problems and situations in our lives.

     A few things you can do to start making these changes can be as easy as starting with waking up in the morning 15 minutes earlier and taking a few minutes before we get out of bed to 'right the ship' as I like to say can do wonders for our entire day.   By this I mean we take a few minutes to think of the things we can be grateful for and how we are going to make today a better day than the day before.  Another thing we can do is just practice, practice, practice.  How many times do you notice something and immediately say something about it.  Usually that is your automatic response.  In the future take the time to pause before you say something and ask yourself if it is going to help build your positive attitude or is it going to add negatively to the situation or the way people view you.  We can teach ourselves to better handle different, difficult situations then we can become better people, employees, family members, bosses, or friends.  The key to changing your life lies in how well you control your habitual reactions to all of lives situations and circumstances.

2. Thinking Processes

     Building on our habitual reactions, those automatic responses we have to certain situations and circumstances, our thoughts that we dwell on and cultivate in our minds are where our brains will focus its attention on.  Just as practicing a sport will hone those skills until you become a master, if you give your negative, hurtful, destructive thoughts all of your attention then it is those which will be cultivated in the garden of your mind.  It is those habitual thought processes that will determine who you become as a person.  Are you good natured, do you care about others?  Are you depressed, do you only care about yourself?  These questions are only examples often life is much less black and white.  The answers lie more in the middle of these questions.  Most people want to be nicer to others or become greater influences but let learned habits and the reactions of others affect how they grow or not grow.  You cannot control how others react only yourself.

     Besides any underlying medical issues your mind controls everything you become whether you want it to or not.  You either teach yourself to be happy and successful, always willing to be taught and to learn something new or you teach yourself to always find the worst in people, situations and things.  Either way you teach yourself through your habitual reactions and they are strengthened through your thought processes.  Now there is just one other thing  that controls what type of attitude you have, it is also the one you have no control over.

3. Past Circumstances

     Did you grow up next to a park with two loving parents and a dog?  Did you grow up in government assisted housing with only a mom who was never home because she had to work all the time?  If you think these two examples of an upbringing do not help determine what type of habitual reactions and thought processes someone has then you need to take a closer look.  It doesn't mean that someone is better or worse than someone else, it only is the surroundings that can alter your thoughts and attitudes on things.  When presented with a difficult situation the person who grew up in the projects might have a better time handling the situation, if they were taught correctly, on the other hand maybe not.  A lot of your attitude is formed in the first 5 to 8 years of your life.  So your parents and first friends have a lot of influence on what kind of primitive attitude you adopt. Don't let your past circumstances hinder anymore future growth, if you are feeling depressed or stuck in a rut try doing something that grows your life and your mind, I think you will find that you will be less stressed and depressed when you are actively teaching yourself to be a better person.  You will find less time to complain and bicker about situations and circumstances.

     Is you attitude perfect, I know it isn't.  It will never be, because we are all humans and have complex emotions.  Some of us may have better attitudes then others, we may have been taught those attitudes while growing up whereas someone else didn't have that advantage to be taught an attitude.  Some of us handle different situations better than others.  For example when someone passes away there are those of us who cannot even handle going to a funeral while others seem to be just fine.  That's just one of the things that makes us human and makes us different.  I encourage you to teach yourself to improve your attitude, even if it is already excellent, you can reach out to those whose attitudes are not and encourage them to teach themselves to better their attitudes and grow in their lives.  There are always people watching you whether you notice or not, you can be someone's angel just by the way you respond to different situations, they may see the way you respond and be motivated to change their lives. 

Teach Inspire Make A Difference

 

 

 

For more information on altering your attitude go to www.attitudedriveslife.com and don't forget to like and share, if you care!

Attitude Drives Life: Our Main Mission

           Over the past few years my blog, Attitude Drives Life, has touched on numerous topics such as failure, success, business management, attitude in general, to name a few.  This has brought me to the conclusion; What is my main focus?  What is my mission, the desire I have to share my expertise with others.  After giving it a lot of thought over the past few weeks I am ready to say that I want to become the number one person who is an expert on ATTIUDE and how it effects people and their lives.  I feel that through my personal experience that teaching this topic is going to be my way I can change the world around me.  By inspiring, teaching and making a difference. 

           So over the next few days I will begin to implement my mission statement and start redesigning my blog and website to correspond to my focused desire in which I have decided to achieve.   My entire life has brought me to this point, this intersection.  I was never meant for a 'regular job' anyone who knows me can attest to that. I have always been different and unorthodox in the way I do things, but I excel and enjoy at meeting new people and helping those I meet.  My skills and knowledge has inspired me to become an author, blogger, instructor and motivational speaker.  There is no reason why I cannot achieve this.  This is what I want to create.  This is what I want to own.

          Areas I would like to focus on are; how attitude effects relationships, leadership, business, the work place, success, management  and your personal life in general. 

          So feel free to visit my homepage at www.attitudedriveslife.com to follow us, and for our new video training courses which will be coming in the very near future.  An please like us on facebook and follow the blog.  All I wish to accomplish is to create value to help change peoples lives and be authentic and transparent about it.

Thank you for being a reader if you have followed over the last few years.  If not I ask you to consider becoming a reader now by following.  Any questions or comments are welcome below.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

*INSPIRE *  TEACH * MAKE A DIFFERENCE

20 Things that prove you're a Success

 

We borrowed this excellent list from www.lifhack.org from the writer and contributor Carol Morgan, with some excellent insights about feelings, and emotions that you have towards lack of success and 20 reasons you have actually been successful.

 

1. Your relationships are less dramatic than they used to be.

Drama is not maturity. As we age, we should develop maturity. So maybe your relationships were drama-filled in your past, but if you have moved beyond that, then you are successful.

2. You are not afraid to ask for help and support any more.

Asking for help does not equal weakness. In fact, it is a strength. No person has ever succeeded in isolation. It takes teamwork to accomplish goals. Asking or help is a sign that you have grown as a person.

3. You have raised your standards.

You don’t tolerate bad behavior any more – from other people, or even yourself. You hold people accountable for their actions. You don’t spend time with the “energy vampires” in your life anymore.

4. You let go of things that don’t make you feel good.

No, this is not narcissistic even though it might seem like it. Self-love is success. Love yourself enough to say ‘no’ to anything that doesn’t make you happy, doesn’t serve your purpose, or drags you down.

5. You have moments where you appreciate who you see in the mirror.

Ideally, you should appreciate who you see in the mirror at every moment. But even if that doesn’t happen, if you do it more than you used to, then that is success. Love yourself. You are awesome.

6. You have learned that setbacks and failure are part of self-growth.

Not everyone can have success 100% of the time. That’s just not realistic. Life is about victories and losses. So look at your setbacks as stepping stones to something better. In reality, there really is no such thing as as setback. It’s all just part of a wondrous journey.

7. You have a support system that includes people who would do anything for you.

If you have figured out the people who “have your back” and recognized the ones who only pretend that they do, then you have succeeded. This is a painful realization, but once you learn to see the signs of betrayal, you can stay away from those people.

8. You don’t complain much.

Because you know there really is nothing to complain about. Unless you really have gone through some horrific life experience and had unimaginable losses, most of what we all experience on a day-to-day basis is just mundane. And successful people know that. And they live in a space of gratitude.

9. You can celebrate others’ successes.

Just because other people succeed, that doesn’t make you a failure. Applaud the people who rise to the top. The more positive energy you give to other people’s victories, the more you will create your own.

10. You have passions that you pursue.

You are not stagnant. You know you have something wonderful to contribute to the world. You have unique talents and gifts. Not only do you know that, you pursue it.

11. You have things to look forward to.

If you don’t have exciting things going on in your life that you are eagerly anticipating, then you are slowly dying inside. Successful people create goals that they are passionate about pursuing. They let this excitement drive their life.

12. You have goals that have come true.

Even though “failures” are a part of life, you have stuck to your goals and dreams long enough to make them come to fruition. You have  some tastes of victory. It fuels you.

13. You have empathy for others.

A person without empathy is dead inside. Empathy equals spreading love and positive energy into the world. Successful people know this. They love others as if they are family.

14. You love deeply and open yourself up to be loved by others.

Love is risky, and sometimes scary for people. It’s the one thing we all strive for, but it’s also intimately tied to the one thing we fear the most – rejection. If you open your heart enough to love and be loved, then you are successful.

15. You refuse to be be a victim.

You know that life doesn’t always happen to you. Many times, you are a co-creator of your life experiences. Successful people know this and refuse to be kept down by life experiences. The rise up and conquer anyway.

16. You don’t care what other people think.

You know you can’t please everyone. You know that the standards with which society judges people is many times unrealistic. So you just keep true to yourself and love the person you are.

17. You always look on the bright side.

Life can be full of disappointments – if you choose to see them that way. Otherwise, they are learning opportunities. No negative experience is ever wasted as long as you learn from it.

18. You accept what you can’t change.

Let’s face it – there many things you can’t change in life. All you can change is how you view what happens. If you can change your negative perspective on situations to a positive one, then you are successful.

19. You change what you can.

And let’s face it again – there are many things you can change in life. Successful people don’t sit around accepting the negatives that are changeable. They get out there and do something about it!!

20. You are happy.

To me, this is the ultimate definition of success. It doesn’t matter what the balance is in your bank account, how big your house is,  or how many fancy vacations you take. If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life.
Even if you don’t see yourself in many of these 20 things, don’t fret. It’s okay. Be happy that you see yourself in just a few. In time, the rest will come. You just need to keep moving onward and upward.

By: Carol Morgan           www.Lifehack.org

The Largest Problem in Your Drive Toward Success

                   Look into the mirror.  The person staring at you is the only one that can make a difference in your life that has a majority decision in the things that make you grow.  The person looking back at you knows every secret, every lie, every little thing that makes you cringe.  They also know the true intentions of every word spoken and act delivered.  You cannot fool this person, it is you.

                    In your strive toward success the outlook must be above that person in the glass.  It is true that material things help build a foundation for a vision but as you learn more and become greater in your knowledge you realize that helping others and bringing others with you as you drive to become a successful leader, you will only create leaders in others, helping them to achieve their dreams as yours unfold before your eyes. 

                I know that admitting to yourself that learning leadership and helping others is the greatest path toward gaining success for yourself and your family.  This can be difficult to accept.  Surround yourself with others who desire the same goals.  Build a unique vision that motivates you through the rollercoaster of life and remember to smile at the great times you experience.  Build a vision for yourself and your family use the associations you have with others in your team to drive that vision toward reality.  Remember it isn't a change of circumstance you need it is a change of thinking.  Change your thinking and you can change your life.

      Look back into the mirror, if you want something bad enough no one can stop you from attaining it.  You are the biggest obstacle in your achievement  of your desires but you are also the solution.


www.attitudedriveslife.com

The Power of Persistence in Quotes

       While doing my daily reading I came across a lot of different people stating the enormous importance of persistence and what it can do for your plans, problems, goals and dreams.  Some of these people most would regard as influential yet others have never heard of them, but they all share similar  things about the simple yet powerful habit of persistence.  I implore you to study these quotes; even these people to further your passion for excellence and improvement in your lives. 

1. "It's not that I'm so smart. It's just that I stay with problems longer." - Albert Einstein

2. "So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist.  For that I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist long enough I will win." - Og Mandino

3. “Rain puts a hole in stone because of its constancy, not its force. Just keep knocking on doors until the right one opens”   - H. Joseph Gerber

4. “If you do not have persistence then no amount of education, talent or genius can make up for it.”  
- Stephen Richards

5. “It’s good to remember that success may be just beyond the next failure, and you’ll get there, not because you’re destined to, but because you’re determined to.”   - Steve Goodier

6. "With each failure comes a lesson to learn. To merely give up on failing would be detriment to your experiences and your intellect. - Tim Zugger

7. “You haven't failed until you stop trying.”- Jon Gordon

These quotes can help change your attitude on your habits and goals.  Maybe even help you accomplish something you never thought you could do.   Always remember you can do anything.  It just might take some time and persistent labor.  I'll leave you with this quote.

"Anything worth doing is worth doing correctly, ethically, and thoroughly." - Tim Zugger

www.attitudedrivelife.com