Attitude Adjustment 101: Nine Ways to Transform You From
Mediocre to Magnificent By Susan Young
“Work on your career and you’ll make a living. Work on yourself
and you’ll make a fortune.” - Jim Rohn
Regardless of the number of college credits or degrees you have,
the truth is that much of your success is determined by your
attitude. Education is worthwhile but a good attitude is
priceless. If you search for a college that has a concentration
of study entitled “Attitude,” you will come up empty handed.
Yet, the world would be a better place if we could all major in
“Attitude.”
If attitude is not taught in school, then how come some people
have great attitudes and others don’t? More important, how can
you change from a mediocre attitude to a magnificent one?
First, to adjust your attitude, you must be brutally honest with
yourself and take responsibility for your attitude. You are the
only one who can change you. Be accountable for who you are and
how you behave. Tell yourself that blame is unacceptable.
Second, recognize warning signs like negative thoughts, blame
and pessimism. Your mind is like a computer; the beliefs you put
in (input) create the actions you take out (output). For
example, if you tell yourself that you are “just okay,” you will
be “just okay.” What you think about, you will become.
Third, use positive affirmations. Tell yourself every day that
you are an outstanding person capable of achieving your goals.
When the woman at the coffee shop in the morning asks how I am,
I flash a big smile and reply “I’m great” or I’m outstanding.”
Replace negative and mediocre with excellent and amazing. Stand
up taller each morning. Breathe deeply to allow air into your
diaphragm. Smile more, even at people you don’t know. Live a new
level of excellence every day. Reach higher.
Fourth, your subconscious mind operates on images and pictures.
Before you go to sleep, envision your ideal day. What are you
doing? What are you wearing? Who are you with? Are you in a
meeting, confidently speaking before your boss and colleagues?
Are you on the beach playing with your children and spouse? See
and feel yourself in this moment as a huge success. Do you want
a new house, job or relationship? Imagine it as if it already
happened.
Fifth, write down your goals. The subconscious mind kicks into
action when you put your goals in writing. List three short-term
and three long-term goals. Then, give your dreams deadlines (a
date of accomplishment) and outline the steps you will take
every day to reach your goals and dreams.
Sixth, put your head down and focus. Successful people do not
spend time with negative water cooler gossip and time wasters.
Set your goals and get to work.
Seventh, think about a successful person you admire. What are
his or her personality traits, characteristics and values?
Chances are the person who came to mind is successful because he
or she decided to be positive and upbeat, to expect great
accomplishments and to focus on doing whatever it takes to
achieve his or her goals. Surround yourself with cheerful
successful people.
Eighth, avoid “naysayers” who shoot you down, speak negatively
or have poor work and personal habits.
Ninth, practice these ways to adjust your attitude for at least
21 days. That’s how long it takes to form a new habit.
President John F. Kennedy said, “The human mind is our most
fundamental resource.” Your mind is a fertile garden that will
grow whatever you plant in it. What seeds are you planting in
your mind? Are you planting seeds of opportunity and growth or
weeds like cynicism and mediocrity? Life is better when you have
a good attitude. So go ahead and give yourself the chance to
move from mediocre to magnificent. We all have the tools. The
key is to use the resources that we have to become totally
amazing!
