Make Attitude Your Most Valuable Asset: Change is the Only Constant Joann L. Spaleta, MBA, MHA, MT (ASCP) Charlotte Area Health Education Center AHEC Director, Regional Education

Objectives Define attitude and the impact on Individuals Discuss the “make-up” of attitude Discuss obstacles to a positive attitude Explore strategies for developing a positive attitude

What is Attitude? Definitions Point of view about a situation Inward feeling expressed by outward behavior Three components of attitude What you feel What you think What you do

Attitude As an individual, your attitude has a profound impact on your life A person’s attitude impacts relationships, changes their view of failure, and defines their approach to success Attitude is not everything, but it is one thing that can make a difference Your attitude can change every aspect of your life. It is like the mind’s paintbrush.

Attitude Impacts Individuals Five Realities about Attitude Attitude has the power to lift up or tear down. An attitude changes when exposed to others. Bad attitudes cause reaction faster than good ones. Attitudes are subjective. Bad attitudes unattended, ruin everything. Attitude is always a player on your team.

Attitude Impacts An Individual 1. Our attitude determines our approach to life. 2. Our attitude determines our relationships with others. 3. In many situations, our attitude is the only difference between success and failure. 4. Our attitude at the beginning of the task will affect the outcomes. 5. Our attitude can turn our problems into blessings. 6. Our attitude can give us a positive perspective. Attitude determines success or failure.

Changing Attitudes Attitude is not permanent state, it can be changed You have to want to change… change is constant Change is a choice in any situation Conditions Choices As time goes by, choices increase. Note: Only if you want to change it.

Choosing a Positive Attitude Evaluate your present attitude. Take responsibility for your attitude. Write a statement of purpose. Have the desire to make a change. Live each day…one day at a time. Change your thought patterns. Develop good habits and choices. Choose to have a “right” attitude.

Choices Choice One: Evaluate Your Present Attitude Identify your problem feelings and behaviors Identify problem thinking Clarify truth Secure commitment Plan and carry out your choice

Choices Choice Two: Take Responsibility for Your Attitude Lives can be changed by changing your attitude Change depends on your state of mind Believe that you can change and you will

Choices Choice Three: Write a Statement of Purpose Write specifically what you desire to accomplish each day. Verbalize to an encouraging friend what you want to accomplish each day. Take action on your goal each day. Have the desire to change. Live one day at a time. Change your thought patterns. Develop good habits and choices. Continually choose to have a positive attitude.

Choices Choice Four: Have the Desire to Make a Change The desire to change will lead us in the right direction. Choice Five: Live Each Day…One Day at a Time Live for today and do not worry about yesterday or tomorrow. Choice Six: Change Thought Patterns We are where we are and what we are because of the thoughts that occupy our minds. Fall in love with the challenge to change and watch the desire to change grow.

Choices Choice Seven: Develop Good Habits & Choices An attitude is a habit of thought Habits are acquired actions or reactions If habits are hurtful, they negatively impact our attitudes as well as others Break the cycle by cultivating positive thoughts and developing good habits and choices

Choices Choice Eight: Choose to Have a Right Attitude Attitudes have a tendency to revert back to their original patterns, if they are not nurtured and developed. You can make your attitude what you want it to be. You determine what you will think and how you will act.

Obstacles Enhance Attitude Make failure a regular part of your life Fail early, fail often, fail forward How we handle change makes us stronger and teaches us perseverance The greatest battle you wage against failure occurs on the inside, not on the outside.

Top Five Obstacles Discouragement Change Problems Fear Failure

Dealing with Discouragement Get the right perspective See the right people Say the right words Have the right expectations Make the right decisions “Ninety percent of those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit.” - Paul J. Meyer

People Resist Change Because … Personal loss Fear of the unknown Timing could be wrong It feels awkward Tradition If change does not cost you anything, then it is not real change.

Problems Everybody has problems…they just may not be your problems Our perspective on the problem, not the problem itself, determines success or failure of when solving the problem Problem recognition versus problem solving Responding to problems correctly, can propel us forward

Destructive Power of Fear Breeds more fear Causes us to be inactive and not move Makes us weak Wastes energy Destroys productivity Keeps us and others from reaching personal potential

Benefit from Failure Change your attitude Change your vocabulary Disregard the negative talk of others Let failure point you to success Keep your sense of humor Learn from your mistakes…we all make them Use failure as a gauge for growth Never give up

Benefits of Adversity Creates resilience Develops maturity…make us stronger Pushes the envelope of accepted performance Provides greater opportunities Promotes creativity and innovation Brings unexpected results Motivates others and ourselves

The Future with the Right Attitude Failure may be defined: Failing to perform a duty or expected action Lack of success Falling short of expectations Giving way under stress Not moving forward when changes occur “Failing Forward”

Seven Abilities Needed to “Fail Forward” Reject failure Failure is temporary See failures as isolated incidents Keep expectations realistic Focus on strengths…not weaknesses Vary your approach to success Be resilient…bounce back

The Ingredients to Success Success is… Knowing your purpose in life Growing to reach your maximum potential Sowing seeds that benefit others Success is a Journey: The “Right Attitude” toward change The “Right Principles” for getting there The “Right Choices” when making decisions

Know Your Purpose Ask yourself these questions: What am I searching for? Why am I here? Do I believe in my potential? When do I start?

Growing to Your Potential Concentrate on one main goal. Continually improve. Forget the past. Live in the present. Focus on the future.

Sowing Seeds That Benefit Others Possess the right view of success, no matter what circumstances you are in. Help people succeed with a can-do attitude. Be your authentic self…others are looking at you as a role model. We make a living by what we get; but we make a life by what we give.

Top 10 Tips “How to Have a Positive Attitude” Take ownership of your attitude. Take action to eliminate what bothers you. Live in the present. Let go of things that do not matter. Be non-judgmental. Listen to yourself and trust what you hear. Live your values. Have fun and enjoy humor. Invest energy in the people who you love and care about. Develop an attitude of caring and love. - Unknown Author