Building a Positive Attitude

Overview What are ways that positive and negative attitudes affect actions? What are defense mechanisms? Why are integrity and credibility important elements of a positive attitude? Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Overview Why are humility and patience important elements of a positive attitude? Why are respect and appreciation important elements of a positive attitude? How to focus on task completion How to focus on people Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Quick Write List the two most important problems you’ve faced in the past two years. For each problem, note whether it was a result of your own decision making and behavior or of something that was beyond your control. How did you handle each kind of problem? Did you tackle the issue head-on or try to avoid it? What problem-solving strategy has worked best for you? Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Attitudes Affect Actions An attitude is a thought, feeling, or belief Attitudes are internal A behavior is an action that others can see you doing Behaviors are external The attitudes and behaviors of a healthy, reasonable person are usually in harmony Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Why Do You Need a Positive Attitude? It will make you a more successful family member, student, employee, and citizen People are attracted to positive thinkers Positive thinkers make things happen Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

Defense Mechanisms Why do some people handle their mistakes well while others don’t? The difference often lies in a person’s defense mechanisms—behaviors people use to deal with anxiety, stress, or pressure Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

Defense Mechanisms Everyone has anxieties, and defense mechanisms provide a way to deal with them But if you’re not careful, defense mechanisms can turn into excuses Constantly using defense mechanisms is a sign of an immature personality Chapter 3, Lesson 2

How Defense Mechanisms Affect Relationships * Chapter 3, Lesson 2

How Defense Mechanisms Affect Relationships * Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Integrity and Credibility Integrity is a commitment to a code of values or beliefs that results in a positive attitude and approach to life People with integrity are trustworthy Credibility is a quality of character that inspires confidence and trust Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Role Models People aren’t born with integrity and credibility—they learn them from role models A positive role model is a person on whom others base their own attitudes and actions Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Role Models Role models can be: parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles big brothers or sisters neighbors, teachers, coaches, counselors, club advisers community leaders, religious leaders Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com

Mentors When a role model takes an active interest in you, he or she becomes your mentor A mentor is a life coach who guides, advises, and advocates for you A mentor provides positive feedback that helps you grow Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Humility Humility is the opposite of pride and arrogance A humble person is willing to learn from others People with humility don’t think they have all the answers Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Fear, Pride, Indifference Several mental states can block your ability to learn—these include fear, pride, and indifference: Fear is an emotion that people may feel when they face something new or unknown Pride is an exaggerated feeling of self-worth Indifference is the state of mind of a person who has no desire to get better at anything Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Patience Patience is the ability to bear difficulty, delay, frustration, or pain without complaint Patience is a learning tool—if you don’t understand something, you have to give it time to sink in Humility and patience are the keys to defeating fear, pride, and indifference Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Respect Respect is the esteem, regard, and consideration that you pay others and that you earn from them Every human being has a deep-seated need for respect How do you get respect? The answer is simple: You earn it by respecting others Chapter 3, Lesson 2

How to Show Respect for Others Don’t spread gossip, rumors, or loose talk about anyone Be on time Don’t interrupt people Listen Always give people the benefit of the doubt Chapter 3, Lesson 2

How to Show Respect for Others Practice the “abundance theory”—there’s enough of everything to go around—credit, glory, admiration, friendship, smiles, laughter, compliments Don’t take yourself too seriously Be flexible Stick with what’s important: people, their feelings, and their needs Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Appreciation Appreciation is the admiration, approval, or gratitude that you express to others and receive from them If you respect people, they will be grateful and will show you their appreciation Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Photo courtesy of Clipart.com

Task Completion Task completion is the process of doing things expected of you in a timely, orderly, accurate, and honest manner Gain control of your greatest asset: time A black hole is a period of time that eats into your productivity One main cause of black holes is procrastination A second cause of black holes is distraction Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Focusing on People If you’re able to stop wasting time, you’ll have time to devote to people What does a positive attitude have to do with focusing on people? Having a positive attitude means trying to be on good terms with everyone You must be able to work with other people in teams and focus on helping them Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Review The attitudes and behaviors of a healthy, reasonable person are usually in harmony People are attracted to positive thinkers Defense mechanisms are behaviors that people use to deal with anxiety, stress, or pressure If you’re not careful, defense mechanisms can turn into excuses Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Review Integrity is a commitment to a code of values or beliefs that results in a unified, positive attitude and approach to life Credibility is a quality of character that inspires confidence and trust in others A positive role model is person on whom others base their own attitudes and actions A mentor is a life coach who guides, advises, and advocates for you Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Review Humility and patience are the keys to defeating fear, pride, and indifference Respect is the esteem, regard, and consideration that you pay others and that you earn from them Task completion is the process of doing things expected of you in a timely, orderly, accurate, and honest manner If you’re able to stop wasting time, you’ll have time to devote to people Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Summary What are ways that positive and negative attitudes affect actions? What are defense mechanisms? Why are integrity and credibility important elements of a positive attitude? Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Summary Why are humility and patience important elements of a positive attitude? Why are respect and appreciation important elements of a positive attitude? How to focus on task completion How to focus on people Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Next Done—building a positive attitude Next—overcoming challenging experiences Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Photo courtesy of Comstock Images