Pardon me but your ATTITUDE is showing

They say that attitude is everything. That may be true.

"With an attitude like that you'll get far in life," she said.

"I don't like your attitude young man!" she screamed.

Those words were spoken by the same person. My teacher in sixth grade. So I took it that in one instance my attitude was taking me to new heights. I was on the road to success. I could do no wrong.

Then one day that same attitude landed me in detention. No recess. "No recess?" In sixth grade that was the worst thing that could happen. I desperately needed that break in my day. To get out of this school building even for just a few minutes was heaven. But there I sat looking out the window as my friends mocked me.

I guess I needed an attitude adjustment.

So how was it that one person could possibly have two different attitudes? It's easy. We don't feel the same about all the elements of our lives. Take your work for instance. You may enjoy the interaction of your co-workers. The envirnonment is light, uplifting and productive. But then again you may dislike the outside interruptions from vendors, co-workers, family and friends and it shows.

It can be true that you love to go to work and hate coming home. At work you are accepted and recognized as a member of the team. You may be valued and appreciated more than you are at home. Of course it can be the complete opposite. You hate work and find more joy and pleasure at home.

So how do you find the balance? How can you learn to enjoy all facets of your life?

Choose your attitude toward it.

A = Accept the fact that this is the life you have chosen. This is the job you have chosen. No one forced you into this situation. You are where you are, who you are and doing what you have chosen to do. You are a total summation of all of your choices. If you can't accept those facts then...

T = Take action. Make the changes necessary. What about your job or your life do you like? Be honest in that evaluation. Does the bad really out weigh the good? What changes can you initiate that will help you to...

T =Take pride in what you do. You bring a uniqueness, a special gift to this world that only you can provide. Make a list of all your qualities. Focus on the special things that you do that are not required in your job. But you do them anyway. Then...

I = Identify the things that require change. Perhaps your attitude toward life or a particular part of your work is poor because it is boring or repetitive. Make a list of those things and ask yourself, "How can I do this differently? Then...

T = Talk to others about your concerns. Sit down with your co-workers and ask them to evaluate your work in that area. Be open to suggestions. Talk to family and friends about how they perceive you. Talk about your concerns and desires to change. You may find that the help and support you need is abundant. Just knowing that you have help, will begin a transformation in your attitude toward the challenges you have set for yourself. But...

U = Ultimately the burden is on your shoulders. You choose the attitude you have. No one can do it for you. You can either continue to moan and groan about the things you don't like or do something about it. To begin...

D = Develop a plan. Set goals. Commit yourself to a date when all will be completed. Then work backwards. If in a month you want to reach your goals then break them down to what you will accomplish each week and then each day. At the end of each day, celebrate and reward yourself for whatever you accomplished. "I didn't growl when Mrs. Smith walked in. I greeted her with a smile. Of course she thought I was up to something. I was. I wasn't going to let her get to me today. She didn't!" So celebrate! Have a piece of cake with dinner. And do it with...

E = Enthusiasm. My attitude toward what I do for a living shows. I tell people I was born excited! Anything done with enthusiasm draws attention and support. I once interviewed a couple for low-income assitance. He was the garbage man for the borough. With all the pride and love for her husband she told me that he was the very best there was. "Bob, my husband can stack the garbage higher on the truck then anyone else. That means he gets more accomplished in less time and saves the borough money in the long run. I'm proud of my garbage man," she said. He did it with enthusiasm.

Is this just another one of those "pie in the sky" motivational fluff messages? Let's see what the great thinkers of our times have said about attitude:

"Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes." William James

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." Zig Ziglar

Finally, "What we sow or plant in the soil will come back to us in the exact kind. It's impossible to sow corn and get a crop of wheat, but we entirely disregard this law when it comes to mental sowing." Orison Swett Marden

So, are you going to make those changes? Great! With an attitude like that you'll get far in life!

"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks