Choose Your Attitude!

Today at work a co-worker was talking to me about a question that is on our quarterly review. The question is "How do you think we could achieve a better atmosphere in the workplace?" Don't you just love all the philosophical $%#@?.) Her response was a good one - "Have everyone leave their attitudes at the door each morning when they enter". A couple of observations about that response:


1. It gives the impression that perhaps everyone that comes to work in this place has bad attitudes each morning. Why would you want to leave a good attitude at the door?

2. If everyone that does come to work each day has a bad attitude, why is that? Is it work related? Is it home related? or are the majority of people just miserable. (Maybe no one except me is a morning person. Sometimes around my house i really believe that).

3. Isn't it really more a matter of choosing the "right" attitude in all things you do?



Choosing the right attitude! Seems pretty basic and simple. Lets face it, we all pretty much know that if you are going into a meeting with the corporate officers, a smile is nice, but giggly small-talk certainly doesn't cut it as far as professionalism goes. That's not to say that a graven attitude and only cold stares at everyone there is going to get the job done either. But i think we are, for the most part, able to adjust our basic attitudes to the appropriate level in most situations. When we consider attitudes, however, that affect the world around us, it is the inner most part of our attitude that drives the way our world revolves. It is the choice of our "moods" that really make the difference. It is so easy to be "sucked" into the attitude of those around us - to become like them, to respond in like manner. If you are around people who have a strong, positive, light-hearted, kind, giving, loving attitude how can you help but have a few of those traits yourself. If you are around people who are always tired, ill, angry, or bored - then its almost a guarantee that you will find yourself acting in that same manner.



So here's my solution - and its profound . . . surround yourself with those who have an attitude you love! Yep, that's it! I told you it was simple - NOT! Unfortunately, we are not able to control others attitudes. We can help encourage them one way or another, but we are not in control of them. We can only be in control of ourselves. So the real solution must be to CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE, and then guard it with your life. Don't get sucked into the attitudes around you. Don't get sucked into the problems of life. Problems will happen and we have to deal with them, but do just that - deal with them, then move on. One of my favorite things to do when i used to work in restaurants was to find a person in an absolutely foul mood, and then do everything i could to make sure that person left with a smile on their face. Most times i could do it, but on the times i couldn't, I'm betting that they at least felt a bit better when they left than when they came in (thank God for good food - LOL). In doing good for others you do your own heart good.



Let me just say one more thing about doing good for others. Its wonderful and we should take as many opportunities as we can to lift up others. Whether its words or deeds it doesn't matter. Kindness is contagious . . . usually. Many of us "do-gooders" have a real tendency to spend so much of our energy doing for others that we don't "do" for ourselves. That causes stress and stress affects our attitude. Take time for yourself. Do good, kind things for yourself from time to time and learn to say "no". Sometimes you just need to and people will understand. You have "worth" and you are valued as a person. Sometimes you can get so caught up in "doing" for others that you begin to loose your own self worth. That's a dangerous place to be so take a break and spoil yourself from time to time.

My favorite quote on attitudes is from a guy who has about the best attitude i could ever want to emulate - John Maxwell. "Your attitude determines your altitude".