Attitude Influences Success

Editorial Note: This article was written for and previously published in 1992 on the PRODIGY® Network Entrepreneurs Exchange.

How's business? Do you enjoy having your own business and running it every day? Are you successful at it? How can you be more successful tomorrow than you are today? It's easier than you might think.

Turning your business into a successful venture starts with a positive attitude. Develop a passion for what you are doing. In spite of the challenges you face in your business and personal life each day, you must strive to think POSITIVE, talk POSITIVE, look POSITIVE, and become POSITIVE.

Within the past 24 hours, how many positive thoughts have you enjoyed? How many times have you smiled at someone else? How much positive information have you exposed yourself to? How often do you reflect on all the positive things you've done with your life? If your answers to these questions disappoint you, it's time to make them change. It takes a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and a POWERFUL WILL TO COMMIT to produce a successful outcome. Start your attitude adjustment today!

There are several steps you can take to enhance your attitude. Here are some of my own favorites:

1. Improve your Self-Image. When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror? What did you think of the person looking back at you? If you weren't happy with what you saw, what can you do to change the picture? What's that? You never look in a mirror? Well, get some mirrors today. Place one in a spot you cannot avoid when you are getting ready for the day; when you see yourself looking your personal best, you will feel better. Place another mirror so you can see yourself when you are talking on the phone and while you are working at your computer. You will be able to see your body language as you are delivering your messages. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in what you say and write.
   
2. Listen to Motivational People. Have you ever noticed how quickly being around other positive people and listening to them talk can lift your own spirits, leaving you feeling good about yourself? Surround yourself with positive people as much as you possibly can. There are lots of positive people here online with you; ones who have overcome some incredible odds to become successful. Make an effort to communicate with positive people at work and within your community every day. When you can't get out or can't join us online, listen to motivational audio tapes, watch motivational videos, and attend motivational seminars. Don't listen to anyone who says something like, "Those motivational tapes and seminars are a waste. You get all hyped up while you're listening to them but in only a few minutes or hours, you're back to where you started." It's up to YOU to internalize what you learn from those tapes and seminars and use what you've learned to your advantage. YOU CAN START your attitude adjustment TODAY.
   
3. Talk to the Winner inside YOU. Get rid of all the negative words in your vocabulary. You will have no more problems, only issues and challenges. There are no more taking risks or chances; from now on, think of those times as adventures and opportunities. Think about what you say and write. If any of it can be construed as negative, find a way to reword it and memorize the new, positive words you've substituted.
   In examining yourself as well as others, pretend you are a reporter and phrase your questions using how, what, where, who, when, and why instead of can, do, will, or won't. Accepting can't, don't, and won't as answers to all your challenges will keep you from reaching your goals and from becoming as successful as you can. To help myself in this area, I developed a list of negative words with their counterparts which I published, framed and mounted in my office as a constant reminder. It's exciting to see what happens to a conversation laced with POSITIVE words.
   
4. Volunteer to help others. Visit your local homeless shelter and volunteer some time. It won't take you long to see just how fortunate you are, plus it's a great way to generate ideas on how to make our country a better place so less fortunate people can enjoy positive experiences, too.
   Talk to the principal at your nearest public school and ask if there isn't a way you could volunteer a couple hours. When you spend some time with the future of our country, you will become inspired to forge ahead.
   
5. Develop your sense of humor. Even if you weren't born a humorist or comedian, you can experience some rather amusing moments in life by being more observant. Scan the headlines of your local paper or read its cartoon section. You're bound to find something amusing in your local paper every day. Watch children at play. They can make you laugh without trying.
   
6. Spend quality time with family and friends. It's rare for entrepreneurs to be able to give their family and friends a lot of time, but if you make every minute you can give them count, you will feel better about yourself and they will be more supportive.

Success is not a destination for your business but the way you choose to make it thrive every day. YOUR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS WILL BE DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Is it time you adjusted yours?

Article Source | www.westward.com/library/attitude.htm | About the Author