Have you ever noticed of how much has been said and written about the effect that a positive mental attitude (the infamous “PMA”) has on an individual’s success and happiness? A variety of authors have written volumes of books on the subject, it has been the topic of countless audio and video programs, and television talk shows.
If you ask the average person whether or not a good attitude is beneficial, I’m willing to bet that 99.95% would answer a resounding “YES!”.
With that in mind, why don’t more people have a positive attitude? What stops us from developing, AND MAINTAINING, a positive outlook?
A few weeks back, I called a business associate. The following was the beginning of our conversation:
Me: Hi John, how are you?
Him: Oh, adequate, I suppose…
This note doesn’t fully convey the experience, since it doesn’t parlay his tone of voice. The best description I can offer is that it sounded very much like Winnie the Pooh’s Eeyore. How utterly depressing!!!
As it turns out, my associate had gone through an especially rough week. It was difficult for him to keep his attitude up, but he was trying to do so.
The fact of the matter is that we all go through difficulties and challenges. We don’t simply decide to have a positive attitude, and then POOF!, we suddenly become “Susie Sunshine” or “Jovial Joe”. It takes action on our part.
I’ve heard the following riddle several times, but it illustrates my point:
Question: Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many frogs are left on the log?
Answer: Five.
Why?: Because there’s a difference between deciding and doing.
Have you decided to develop a positive mental attitude? If not, consider it. It will do you a world of good. If you have made that decision, what did you do yesterday, what are you doing today, and what will you do tomorrow, to make that come to pass?
What are you waiting for? A positive attitude, and the subsequent benefits that result, are yours for the making!
Make it an AWESOME today, and a BETTER tomorrow,
Originally published in KeyNotes Volume #1 on 9 January 2002.
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