Each and every one of us will confront difficulties in our life. I prefer to call them adversities, or struggles. These unwelcomed facets of life may range from the easily manageable to the overwhelmingly stressful. How well a person handles the physical and mental strain imposed by these events is to a large degree dependent on the attitude of the person involved. People who continue to feel “in control” despite what may feel like an “out of control” situation almost always recover faster and with a sense of having gained something beneficial from the experience. These people realize that there is value in the struggle!
So what does a resilient attitude consist of? Believe it or not, it’s much more than simply saying “Have a Nice Day,” and coming to work with a smile on your face. A healthy attitude consists of much more than that. For starters, it involves the willingness to be open to new ideas and new situations; something the majority of us face quite often in both our personal and professional lives.
People with a healthy attitude also tend to be very committed. This high level of commitment tends to result in people who are genuinely interested in life and personal growth and development. In other words, they are engaged in life and work, and are therefore willing to grow and develop into new and exciting roles regardless of the challenges that may come with them.
The last factor, and perhaps the most important, is the sense of being in control. People with a high sense of control feel their decisions make a difference in the outcome of events, and even when confronted by overwhelming stressors, they feel they could still make an individual difference through their personal choices.
So, with that in mind, what are some of the things you can do to develop a healthier attitude?
First, set goals for yourself. These goals should be ones created by you, not by others, nor by the expectations of others. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to learn? Where would you like to make an impact? Be specific and include specific time frames so you can monitor your progress.
Second, budget your time and energy. A person trying to balance a family life, professional employment and recreation without allocating time for each of them will eventually find themselves neglecting one of the three. Ensure the budget is realistic and includes time for you. Include others in your planning as well; time for friends, family and new relationships.
Third, be generous. Become more kind and generous to those around you and to yourself. Realize that each of us makes mistakes, do annoying things, and say things we shouldn’t. Making mistakes is a part of being human – in fact, it’s universal. Give people the benefit of the doubt and be quick to forgive someone who offends you. When you perceive yourself as having done something wrong towards someone, simply saying, “I am sorry”, goes a long way to resolving many issues.
Lastly, make a commitment to keep growing. No matter how educated or experienced a person is, there is always room for improvement. Never stop learning or looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Attend classes; look for mentors who can teach you new skills; read up on a subject you would like to know more about. Continuing to gather knowledge throughout your life allows you to make better decisions and respond to new situations with thought and confidence.
Taken together, all of these factors contribute to better attitudes and healthier outcomes. Remember, your attitude is important, perhaps the most important tool you have. And like any tool, it will perform better with practice and care. Take time to work on your attitude and help those around you do the same. Though it sounds trite to talk about having the right attitude, your choice of attitude can make all the difference in your life and the lives of others too.