4/18/08

Overcoming Negativity

Attitude. Everyone has one. Where did it come from? What impacts it? Can it be changed? Here are some thoughts regarding the construct and reconstruct of attitude.

Attitude is an intangible display of a person’s likes or dislikes based on hypothetical construct of an item or situation. Attitude can be positive, negative, neutral or ambivalent. Positive is for; negative is against; neutral is not taking a stand either way; and ambivalent is the simultaneous possession of both positive and negative bias.

Attitude is nurtured by environment through observational learning. In an attempt to fit in, an individual will most often adapt to the environment. A byproduct of environmental change is attitude change. A cooperative person may become rebellious through association with dissenting peers. A negative individual will become increasingly positive in an encouraging atmosphere.

Attitude is based on judgments influenced by three unconscious factors: 1) how the situation does/will affect the individual, 2) assessment of behavioral intentions, and 3) thought processes drawing from a storehouse of experiences. One may judge asparagus as bad tasting based solely on a disliked for green food, coupled by Mom’s insistence that it is good for you and mental ascent to Kermit’s declaration that “It’s hard being green”.

Attitude is impacted by experience. Remembrance of a rain-soaked vacation may dampen your outlook on that region of the world. Keep an open mind

Attitude is ultimately a choice, conscious or unconscious. Much maturity has been attained by a deliberate decision to step up to bat and accept responsibility. Conversely, victim mentality is frequently manifested through unwitting thought processes.

Attitude demands feedback. Become aware of reaction toward the attitude you project. Like produces like. Rather than become upset over someone’s off putting, be a change agent by evaluating your attitude. Instead of being resistive, choose to become inclusive. A healthy attitude listens to understand what is being said and acknowledges that what is said is important to the speaker. Respond calmly and respectfully, without profanity or sarcasm.

Attitudes are adjustable. What a change can be transformed through the knowledge that you have the power to control your attitude and the practice of being deliberate about your attitude.
Try it, you'll like it.

DON'T COPE, OVERCOME: When you have negative thoughts, use this formula to overcome.
1, Acknowledge it
2. Denounce it
3. Replace it with positive slant that brings growth

Loser’s Attitude: Try, Fail. Try, Fail. Quit.
Winner’s Attitude: Try, Fail, Adjust. Try, Fail, Adjust. Try, Fail, Adjust. Win.

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