attitude towards life essay

Essays About Attitude: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Your attitude and demeanor affect all aspects of your life. We have found an inspiring list of essays about attitude to help you choose your own angle.

Attitude refers to a person’s way of thinking about something that affects their behavior. One can say that the proper attitude is vital to leading a fruitful life, whatever that might be for specific individuals. A “good” attitude and a positive outlook can better ascertain success, while a “bad” attitude predisposes a person to fail.

One’s attitude is founded upon knowledge, beliefs, and feelings and reflected in behavior. However, it is also shaped by your experiences.

If you want to write an essay about attitude, here are 5 essay examples and 5 prompts we have prepared to make the process easier for you. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. Attitude changes everything – it can change your life by Kate Darbyshire Evans

2. 6 ways to banish negative thoughts by emily co, 3. our life is a reflection of our attitude. by iqra shehzadi, 4. watch your attitude: your students are counting on you by amber chandler, 5. how to develop a positive attitude in the workplace by jennifer post, 5 writing prompts on essays about attitude, 1. why is a good attitude so important, 2. how can you change your attitude for the better, 3. is a bad attitude really as detrimental as it is said to be, 4. how has your attitude affected your life, 5. does attitude reflect character.

“Attitude changes everything. Change your attitude, and you can change your life. You cannot always control what happens to you in life but you can always control how you respond to the challenges or difficult situations you encounter. The attitude you approach anything with is entirely your choice. The way you choose to respond mirrors your attitude and so by changing your attitude you can change your perspective and change your life.”

Evans talks about how genuinely present one’s attitude is in the different aspects of their life. It can, quite literally, “change your life.” Regardless of your challenges, Evans believes that a positive attitude can help you steady your course and maintain a good life. She also gives readers tips on developing a good attitude and a more positive outlook on life, including being more grateful, not taking life too seriously, and stepping out of your comfort zone. 

“It’s easy to become jaded when life gets tough, but don’t get caught up in negative thoughts because it may hinder your progress. Seeing the world as a glass half empty may lead you to give up easier and not try as hard because you may think that it’s pointless to even make an attempt.”  

In this short essay, Co lists down a few ways in which we can maintain a positive attitude by keeping negative thoughts out of our minds. These include keeping a gratitude journal, keeping good company, being around animals, and looking for new hobbies. Co believes these activities help promote positivity so that we are not as affected when life gets challenging. You might also be interested in these essays about discipline .

“Our mind has sufficient bandwidth to focus on one thought at a time. All you must do is keep it attentive on inspiring thoughts until you achieve your goal or establish a new habit. After adopting a positive attitude, I have noticed amazing changes all around. I also have noticed a major boost in my confidence and I feel more capable of taking on new projects and challenges which might have formerly been outside my comfort zone.”

Shehzadi reflects on the importance of a positive attitude. She briefly goes over its benefits, like increased confidence and reduced stress. To develop a better attitude, surround yourself with positive people. From there, you can practice kindness, patience, and tolerance. As our attitude reflects itself in how we live, a positive attitude leads to a more productive life. Training your mind to be positive is an excellent investment for your well-being, both mentally and physically. 

“It’s human nature to express ourselves, sure, but I think adults underestimate the impact our ‘attitudes’ have on our own children and students. As we deal with the new variants, head back to school and face another uncertain school year, our attitudes are going to shape the experiences of our students. Why not make a concerted, intentional effort to be the one place where your students can let their guard down and take a break from the attitudes that are everywhere?”

Chandler, an educator, discusses the importance of the right attitude in an environment with kids and the importance of setting a good example. She believes that an authentic, positive attitude helps students thrive, but she also stresses the importance of empathy. To her, the ideal attitude is positive, practical, humble, and empathetic. She wants adults to be more mindful of their attitude, especially in front of kids- they may have certain mannerisms or habits that children will quickly pick up on.

“Not everyone is going to be positive all the time. That’s an unrealistic idea. But even when people are down and at their most negative, there are things one can do to deal with those emotions and actions around the office to keep them from impacting others. Even if it’s just one co-worker causing an issue, take matters into your own hands for your own happiness at work.”

Post’s essay elaborates on the importance of having an attitude suited to your work. Like in Co’s essay, Post discusses certain things we can do to improve our attitude and make us more productive in the workplace. Most significantly, she says that simply saying “yes” more can help develop a better attitude. Even if we cannot always be positive, Post wants us to maximize the positivity in every situation, to look at it from a “glass half full” perspective.

Everyone talks about how the proper attitude helps you go far in life, but how does this work? In your essay, you can explore what makes attitude so vital. You can find examples where people have improved their attitude and attribute it to real-life benefits such as happiness or success. You can also check out these essays about character .

Many people often talk about fixing their attitude and getting out of bad habits. You can use the sample essays to decide which methods you can adopt to improve your attitude. Keep your selection short, simple, and meaningful. Do you think they could be successfully applied to anyone?

Would you say that a good attitude is as important as people say it is? And does a bad attitude indeed dictates one’s fortune or misfortune? Based on research and your own beliefs, decide on your position and provide evidence to support your argument.

Write about something as simple as the effects of your attitude on your life. How does your outlook on life affect you? Do you feel that your attitude is helping you live your life well? Do you think there is anything that you can change to optimize your daily life? Try and provide examples of when a different attitude may have produced a different outcome in a scenario.

Often people are told they have a bad attitude and are misjudged for it. However, is their attitude a true reflection of their character or simply masking a hidden agenda? Think of examples when people may be misjudged by their attitude, or perhaps their behavior was misconstrued, and discuss how difficult it is to remedy this after the event. There are numerous examples of this in literature that you can reference. If you cannot think of a real-life example pick one from an appropriate piece and discuss the character’s attitude, and others’ perceptions of them.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

Positive Mindset: How to Develop a Positive Mental Attitude

Positivity doesn’t always refer to simply smiling and looking cheerful, however—positivity is more about one’s overall perspective on life and their tendency to focus on all that is good in life.

In this piece, we’ll cover the basics of positivity within positive psychology, identify some of the many benefits of approaching life from a positive point of view, and explore some tips and techniques for cultivating a positive mindset.

This piece is a long one, so settle in and get comfortable. Let’s get started.

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values and self-compassion and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students or employees.

This Article Contains:

What is a positive mindset and attitude a definition, characteristics and traits of a positive mindset: 6 examples, a list of positive attitudes, why is a positive attitude considered the key to success, the outcomes of a positive attitude, 33 tips on how to have & keep a positive mindset in life and at work, helping students to develop a positive attitude towards learning and school, 46 activities and games to develop positive mindset skills (incl. group exercises), 10 worksheets for training a positive mindset (pdf), 32 quotes and affirmations on positive mindset/attitude, inspiring speeches and videos, recommended books, a take-home message.

You probably have an idea of what a positive mindset or positive attitude is already, but it’s always helpful to start with a definition.

This definition from Remez Sasson (n.d.) is a good general description:

“Positive thinking is a mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results.”

Another, more comprehensive definition comes from Kendra Cherry at Very Well Mind (2017B):

“[P]ositive thinking actually means approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. It does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring the bad things; instead, it involves making the most of the potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light.”

We can extrapolate from these definitions and come up with a good description of a positive mindset as the tendency to focus on the bright side, expect positive results, and approach challenges with a positive outlook.

Having a positive mindset means making positive thinking a habit, continually searching for the silver lining and making the best out of any situation you find yourself in.

So, now we know what a positive mindset is, we can dive into the next important question: What does it look like?

There are many traits and characteristics associated with a positive mindset, including:

• Optimism : a willingness to make an effort and take a chance instead of assuming your efforts won’t pay off.
• Acceptance : acknowledging that things don’t always turn out how you want them to, but learning from your mistakes.
• Resilience : bouncing back from adversity, disappointment, and failure instead of giving up.
• Gratitude : actively, continuously appreciating the good things in your life (Blank, 2017).
• Consciousness/Mindfulness : dedicating the mind to conscious awareness and enhancing the ability to focus.
• Integrity : the trait of being honorable, righteous, and straightforward, instead of deceitful and self-serving (Power of Positivity, n.d.).

Not only are these characteristics of a positive mindset, but they may also work in the other direction—actively adopting optimism, acceptance, resilience, gratitude, mindfulness, and integrity in your life will help you develop and maintain a positive mindset.

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If you found the list above still too vague, there are many more specific examples of a positive attitude in action.

For example, positive attitudes can include:

• It is looking adversity in the eye… and laughing.
• Getting what you get, and not pitching a fit.
• Enjoying the unexpected, even when it’s not what you wanted originally.
• Motivating those around you with a positive word.
• Using the power of a smile to reverse the tone of a situation.
• Being friendly to those you don’t know.
• It’s getting back up when you fall down. (No matter how many times you fall down.)
• Being a source of energy that lifts those around you.
• Understanding that relationships are more important than material things.
• Being happy even when you have little.
• Having a good time even when you are losing.
• Being happy for someone else’s success.
• Having a positive future vision, no matter how bad your current circumstances.
• Paying a compliment, even to a total stranger.
• Tell someone you know that they did a great job. (And mean it.)
• Making someone’s day. (Not just a child’s… adult’s like to have their day be special, too!)
• It’s not complaining no matter how unfair things appear to be. (It is a waste of time… instead, do something!)
• Not letting other people’s negativity bring you down.
• Giving more than you expect to get in return.
• Being true to yourself… always (Jarrow, 2012).

Now we know a little bit more about what a positive mindset looks like, we can turn to one of the biggest questions of all: What’s the deal with having a positive attitude?

What is it about having a positive mindset that is so important, so impactful, so life-changing?

Well, the traits and characteristics listed above give us a hint; if you comb through the literature, you’ll see a plethora of benefits linked to optimism, resilience, and mindfulness.

You’ll see that awareness and integrity are linked to better quality of life , and acceptance and gratitude can take you from the “okay life” to the “good life.”

The Importance of Developing the Right Thoughts

Developing a truly positive mindset and gaining these benefits is a function of the thoughts you cultivate.

Don’t worry—this piece isn’t about the kind of positive thinking that is all positive, all the time. We don’t claim that just “thinking happy thoughts” will bring you all the success you desire in life, and we certainly don’t believe that optimism is warranted in every situation, every minute of the day.

Developing the right thoughts is not about being constantly happy or cheerful, and it’s not about ignoring anything negative or unpleasant in your life. It’s about incorporating both the positive and negative into your perspective and choosing to still be generally optimistic.

It’s about acknowledging that you will not always be happy and learning to accept bad moods and difficult emotions when they come.

Above all, it’s about increasing your control over your own attitude in the face of whatever comes your way. You cannot control your mood , and you cannot always control the thoughts that pop into your head, but you can choose how you handle them.

When you choose to give in to the negativity, pessimism, and doom-and-gloom view of the world, you are not only submitting to a loss of control and potentially wallowing in unhappiness—you are missing out on an important opportunity for growth and development.

According to positive psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, negative thinking, and negative emotions have their place: they allow you to sharpen your focus on dangers, threats, and vulnerabilities. This is vital for survival, although perhaps not as much as it was for our ancestors.

On the other hand, positive thinking and positive emotions “ broaden and build ” our resources and skills, and open us up to possibilities (Fredrickson, 2004).

Building a positive framework for your thoughts is not about being bubbly and annoyingly cheerful, but making an investment in yourself and your future. It’s okay to feel down or think pessimistically sometimes, but choosing to respond with optimism, resilience, and gratitude will benefit you far more in the long run.

According to Seligman (2006), optimism can be cultivated by challenging the negative stories we create in our minds. This “learned optimism” can be beneficial to feel happier and healthier, to release stress, and to increase performance and motivation.

The ABC Model, originally developed by Albert Ellis and later adapted by Martin Seligman, is an approach to help us think more optimistically. This model can be used for yourself or with your clients. Often, this technique can be found in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the approach results in restructuring beliefs through self-awareness.

This technique can be used in daily life situations – An obstacle in your way reflects Adversity . The way you think about Adversity turns into your Beliefs , which impact how you react (Consequence). The Consequences are not inevitable since you can challenge the way you think about them (Seligman, 2006).

Seligman added the components “Disputation” and “Energization” to the original ABC model in order to not only be aware of your thinking patterns but to be able to overcome pessimistic thinking and cultivate a more optimistic outlook.

To be optimistic, you have to change what you believe about yourself and the situation you are encountering. Positive beliefs result in a more positive consequence, which then leads to a more positive outlook.

Aside from enhancing your skills and personal resources, there are many other benefits of cultivating a positive mindset, including better overall health, better ability to cope with stress , and greater well-being (Cherry, 2017A).

According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can increase your lifespan, reduce rates of depression and levels of distress , give you greater resistance to the common cold, improve your overall psychological and physical well-being , improve your cardiovascular health and protect you from cardiovascular disease, and help you build coping skills to keep you afloat during challenging times (2017).

You’ve probably heard of all these generic benefits before, so we’ll get more specific and explore the benefits of a positive mindset in several different contexts:

• The workplace
• Dealing with disability (for both those with a disability and those around them)
• Nursing and healthcare
• Recovery from cancer

10 Benefits of a Positive Mental Attitude in the Workplace

No construct better captures the essence of a positive attitude in the workplace quite like psychological capital (or PsyCap for short). This multicomponent construct is made up of four psychological resources:

PsyCap was first conceptualized as “positive psychological capital” by renowned management and leadership researchers Luthans and Youssef in 2004. The concept quickly took off among positive organizational psychologists, and by 2011 there were already hundreds of citations of PsyCap in the literature.

The first meta-analysis of all the research on PsyCap was conducted in 2011, and it outlined some of the many benefits of PsyCap in the workplace:

• PsyCap was positively related to job satisfaction , organizational commitment, and psychological well-being.
• PsyCap was also positively related to organizational citizenship (desirable employee behaviors) and multiple measures of performance (self-rated, supervisor evaluations, and objective measures).
• PsyCap was negatively related to cynicism, turnover intentions, job stress, and anxiety .
• PsyCap was also negatively related to negative employee deviance (bad employee behaviors; Avey, Reichard, Luthans, & Mhatre, 2011).

It seems pretty straightforward that positive attitudes like optimism and resilience lead to positive outcomes for the organization and for the employees!

Another study by a few of the giants in the field of positive psychology (Sonja Lyubomirsky, Laura King, and Ed Diener, 2005) investigated the relationship between happiness and benefits to employees. They showed that positive attitudes in the workplace also benefit the employee in addition to the organization:

• Happier employees are more productive than other employees.
• Happy salespeople have higher sales than other salespeople.
• Happy employees are more creative than other employees.
• Happy employees are evaluated more positively by their supervisors.
• Happy employees are less likely to show job withdrawal (absenteeism, turnover, job burnout, and retaliatory behaviors).
• Happy employees make more money than other employees.

So, a positive attitude can have great benefits for the organization as a whole and for all of its employees.

It turns out that a positive attitude can also result in benefits for leaders and their followers (as well as spreading positivity throughout the organization).

The Importance of a Positive Mindset for Leadership

As important as a positive mindset is for the rank-and-file, it’s easy to see why it is vital for those in a position of leadership.

Researchers Hannah, Woolfolk, and Lord (2009) outlined a framework for positive leadership that rests on the idea that leaders with a positive self-concept (a positive idea of who they are and a habit of thinking positively about themselves) are more able to bring the “right stuff” to their leadership role.

In their theory, a leader with a positive mindset is not only more likely to be actively engaged and to perform at a high level, he or she is also more able to influence followers toward a more positive mindset through role modeling and normative influence.

A study completed around the same time provides support for the relationship between leader and follower positivity; trust in management influenced positive PsyCap, which had a big impact on performance for leaders and followers (Clapp-Smith, Vogegesang, & Avey, 2008).

Further, trust in management was linked to positive leadership and performance. While trust in management isn’t necessarily indicative of a positive mindset in both leader and follower, it is certainly a likely outcome of a generally positive attitude in the workplace.

Forbes writer Victor Lipman (2017) puts findings like these in simpler terms:

“It’s always easier to follow someone with a positive outlook.”

In other words, positive attitudes in a leader will draw followers and encourage motivation and engagement in subordinates. Lipman also notes that having a positive outlook and being resilient is vital in leadership positions because there is a lot of stress involved in managing and leading others.

Leaders must always be “on” and spend much of their time “performing” as a strong, confident leader and perhaps even a public face. This role is a tiring one, and being optimistic and resilient will help leaders stay sane and healthy in challenging contexts.

The Promotion of Positive Attitudes Towards Disability

Having a positive attitude is also a boon for those educating, interacting with, and caring for a disabled student, loved one, or patient.

A positive attitude toward disability facilitates disabled students’ education and helps them assimilate into postsecondary education (Rao, 2004).

This makes it even more troubling to learn that, according to a 2012 study on UK primary schools, only 38% of them had a Disability Equality Scheme in place and only 30% had included a plan to “promote positive attitudes towards disabled people” (Beckett & Buckner). Further, 76% of schools reported that their staff had not received any training in the promotion of positive attitudes towards students with disabilities.

With so many resources available for promoting positive attitudes toward disability, there is ample opportunity to rectify this lack; for example, research by The Children’s Society in the UK identified several ways to promote positivity:

• An inclusive ethos within the school.
• Staff teams who are knowledgeable, skilled, and committed.
• Better training, guidance, and support for teachers, including Disability Equality training and ongoing INSET for all staff.
• High levels of awareness across the whole school community.
• Disability equality teaching being part of a wider strategy and included across the curriculum and not just within subjects such as PSHE, Citizenship and Religious education.
• A designated member of staff to coordinate teaching across the curriculum
• A better understanding of why promoting disability awareness and equality is important.
• Links with disabled people within the school community and beyond, as well as links with special schools.
• The availability of good resources.
• Awareness of, and the challenging of, stereotypes.
• A critical approach to the use of ‘disablist’ language which reinforces discriminatory attitudes and negative stereotypes.
• Promotion of the social model of disability.
• The inclusion of positive and diverse images in all materials used within the school and undertaking an audit of existing materials and resources to ensure they promote positive attitudes (More information on these suggestions can be found here ).

A 2009 study also established that formal instruction in disability awareness combined with hands-on fieldwork experiences with people who have a disability can have a significant impact on the positive attitudes toward those with disability (Campbell, Gilmore, & Cuskelly).

The research found that teachers-in-training who participated in a one-semester course involving direct work with students who had Down syndrome greatly improved their knowledge of the syndrome as well as their attitudes toward those with Down syndrome.

All of these findings show that having a positive attitude towards those with a disability is not only the right thing to work toward, but it also has a significant positive influence on both those with disability and those around them.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also important for nurses and other health professionals to cultivate a positive attitude towards their patients with a disability—something that nurses sometimes struggle with (Tervo & Palmer, 2004).

Positive Attitude in Nursing and Health Care

On the subject of nursing and healthcare, this is another context where having a positive mindset (towards oneself and one’s patients—disabled or otherwise) can have a positive impact.

In fact, having a positive attitude is so important for nursing, expert Jean Watson describes nursing as the “Caring Science” (2009). Indeed, positivity and caring are ingrained in the field; just take a look at the five core nursing values:

• Human dignity
• Social justice (Fahrenwald et al., 2005)

These five values lay the foundation for a caring, positive mindset that is the hallmark of good nursing practice. Nurses who embrace these core values and adopt a positive mindset toward themselves, their work, and their patients can help them find the meaning and fulfillment that likely prompted them to enter the field in the first place.

Having a positive mindset in health care not only acts as a facilitator of meaning and purpose in the lives of healthcare professionals but it also:

• Improves the professional’s performance and helps patients find healing and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Reduces the frequency of accidents by enhancing focus.
• Helps the professional build a good reputation and advance in their career (Swanson, n.d.).

Luckily, there are evidence-backed ways for nurses to implement a more positive outlook, including:

• The “Three Good Things” exercise, in which the nursing staff maintains a “three good things” sheet that gets passed around all the nurses at the end of their shift; each staff member writes down at least one good thing that happened that day, and the charge nurse selects three of these positive things to share with the oncoming-shift nurses to help them start their day with positivity.
• Increasing social connections with patients by placing a “getting to know you” board in each patient room; on admission, nurses can encourage the patient to share something about themselves (not their illness or hospitalization, but about who you are).
• Encouraging random acts of kindness by nurses—a practice which has the potential to spread to patients and other healthcare professionals as well.
• Enhancing gratitude through a staff peer recognition board.
• Practicing loving-kindness meditation at staff meetings.
• Identifying and applying one’s Signature Strengths (Roberts & Strauss, 2015).

Speaking of the importance of positivity in health care, the benefits can extend to the patients as well.

Positive Attitude and Cancer Recovery

You’ve probably heard the common phrases and encouragements used when discussing someone’s cancer diagnosis.

A cancer patient will likely be told at least a few times that “You have to stay positive!” and “You can fight this if you maintain a positive attitude.”

This idea that being positive will help cancer patients to fight the disease is a common one, although the literature is a bit iffy on whether this phenomenon is real (Coyne & Tennen, 2010; O’Baugh, Wilkes, Luke, & George, 2003).

Although it is unclear whether simply cultivating a positive mindset will help a patient beat cancer, there’s no doubt that getting support, focusing on a healthy mental state, and maintaining a positive attitude will help patients reduce their tension, anxiety, fatigue, and depression, and improve their overall quality of life (Spiegel et al., 2007).

Cancer Treatment Centers of America expert Katherine Puckett agrees that positivity can be helpful for patients being treated for cancer, but clarifies that other emotions are perfectly acceptable as well.

“So often I have heard a loved one say to a cancer patient who is crying, ‘Stop crying. You know you have to be positive’… However, when we make space for people to express all of their feelings, rather than bottling them up inside, it is then easier for them to be optimistic. It is okay to allow tears to flow—these can be a healthy release.” (Katherine Puckett, as reported in Fischer, 2016).

This indicates that the most important factor regarding positivity in cancer recovery is that it is authentic . False smiles and superficial cheerfulness will likely do nothing for the cancer patient, but working on cultivating an authentically positive mindset and focusing on the activities and techniques that build well-being can have a significant impact on a cancer patient’s quality of life and—possibly—their chances of beating cancer.

Do a quick Google search on how to cultivate a more positive mindset, and you’ll see that there are tons of suggestions out there! We’ve gathered some of the most popular and most evidence-backed methods here, but don’t hesitate to search for more if you need them.

Larry Alton (2018) from Success.com lists 7 practical tips to help you get more positive:

• Start the day with positive affirmations (scroll down to see some example affirmations).
• Focus on the good things, however small they are.
• Find humor in bad situations.
• Turn failures into lessons—and learn from them!
• Transform negative self-talk into positive self-talk.
• Focus on the present instead of getting mired in the past or losing your way in the future.
• Find positive friends, mentors, and co-workers to support and encourage you.

A successful author, speaker, and coach Brian Tracy (n.d.) echoes some of these tips and adds a couple more:

• Remember that it’s your response that determines the outcome of a situation.
• Use positive affirmations or phrases to chase off negative thoughts.
• Find inspirational quotes and messages to bolster your positivity.
• Decide to be happy by being grateful and assuming the people around you have the best of intentions.
• Challenge yourself to maintain a positive attitude when something goes wrong—show the world how resilient and positive you are!

For a more specific list of habits and actions you can take to develop a more positive mindset, try these 10 suggestions from Megan Wycklendt (2014) of Fulfillment Daily:

• Keep a gratitude journal .
• Reframe your challenges as opportunities for growth .
• Get good at being rejected—it happens to everyone!
• Use positive words to describe your life.
• Replace have with get (e.g., I have to go to work → I get to go to work).
• Don’t let yourself get dragged down into other people’s complaints.
• Breathe—consciously, purposefully, and mindfully.
• Notice the righteous and good in times of tragedy and violence.
• Have solutions ready when you point out problems.
• Make someone else smile.

Finally, these 11 techniques from Dr. Tchiki Davis (2018) can also help you adopt a more positive attitude:

• Ask yourself, “Do I think positively?” Take a test or quiz on positivity to see where you stand.
• Strengthen your memory for positive information by using positive words more often.
• Strengthen your brain’s ability to work with positive information with exercises that involve positive words.
• Strengthen your brain’s ability to pay attention to the positive by routinely redirecting your focus away from the negative to the positive.
• Condition yourself to experience random moments of positivity (use classical conditioning on yourself to build positive associations).
• Think positive—but not too much—and think negative when you need to; sometimes we need to grieve, think about the negative consequences, and use negative emotions to motivate and engage us.
• Practice gratitude (perhaps with a gratitude journal).
• Savor the good moments (stop to “smell the roses” and celebrate the positive).
• Generate positive emotions by watching funny videos
• Stop minimizing your successes and acknowledge the efforts you put in.
• Stop all-or-nothing thinking; this cognitive distortion is not in line with reality since things are very rarely “all good” or “all bad.”

To pass along the benefits of developing a positive mindset to students, you can encourage them to try the techniques listed above.

However, there are some methods for improving students’ attitude towards learning and school that may be even more effective.

Elliot Seif from the ASCD’s Edge website outlines 13 ways you can help students cultivate this mindset:

• “Reduce the emphasis on traditional testing as the key assessment tool, and focus on more “natural” and diverse assessment approaches such as essays and papers, reflective journals, oral presentations, and other demonstrations of their learning.
• Create the expectation that effort makes a difference in learning. Help students understand that when someone works hard, they are more likely to succeed. Give students more opportunities to put effort into areas that interest them and that they enjoy.
• Include narratives on report cards that focus on individual strengths and interests.
• Where possible, instead of or in addition to reading textbooks, find and have students read and choose books that are interesting to them, that opens them up to the world around them, that makes them think!
• Focus primarily on student strengths and student success. For each student, consider “ the glass as half full ” rather than “the glass as half empty”. Encourage students as much as possible. Understand that not all students will be strong in all areas and that it is important to help each student find his or her strengths and interests and to build on them. Also, see “failure” as an opportunity for student growth. Make it clear to students that not doing well is a cause for looking inside yourself to see how you can do something better (and that you will do the same). Give students more specific feedback, along with opportunities to redo their work and improve it. Provide mentors and tutors and other help and support for students who need it.
• Be willing to “slow down the learning process”. Focus learning on what you think is important. Figure out ways to teach an idea differently, and work on something for a longer period than you normally do if your students are not “getting it”. Figure out alternative ways to teach something if your approach isn’t working.
• Focus a good deal of your teaching on “learning how to learn” skill development. Read up on how to teach study skills, learning to learn skills, research skills, inquiry skills. Make sure that your students grow both in terms of content they learn and the “learning to learn” skills they need to develop in order to learn well in the future.
• Make “asking questions” central to your teaching and to your learning environment and school culture. Write course descriptions around key questions. Use essential questions to focus units, or have students develop essential questions as the focus for learning. As you teach, encourage students to ask clarifying and elaborative questions. Make it clear to students that no question is too small or too silly. Build open time for students to ask questions on the topics they are studying. Use “wait time” when you are asking for questions. Teach students study strategies such as SQ3R[i] that encourage students to turn statements (such as text headings) into questions.
• Give students more choices and options – in the classroom, by offering many electives, through multiple extra-curricular options. Choices/options should give students opportunities to develop and expand their interests, see connections and relevance in what they are learning, and expand their talents.
• Use inquiry strategies, research skill-building activities, interactive learning and projects as critical parts of teaching. Incorporate more interest-based projects into your curriculum.
• Where possible, make learning experiences more “authentic”. For example, consider how learning about the American Revolution might be tied to a current event happening in the world. Visit the area surrounding the school to demonstrate how math might be used for everyday activity. Through surveys, encourage students to provide feedback on whether they feel that their learning is interesting, motivating, and relevant and whether they are being encouraged to develop their talents and interests. Conduct student surveys to determine what types of school and classroom activities are most motivating and interesting. Create activities and experiences that enable students to get outside the school and learn from the outside world and perform community service.
• Create more ways to integrate learning across the curriculum and consider ways to redesign the curriculum. Use themes to create more interdisciplinary units. Connect separate subject areas, such as by teaching American history and literature in tandem so that history topics and specific literature that touch on similar time periods or themes are taught at the same time. When redesigning or renewing the curriculum, examine whether curriculum materials or programs have a significant component built around developing curiosity, motivation, relevance, and interest.
• See yourself as helping students build “pathways to adult success”. How can your subject, your grade level, your school contribute to making these pathways smoother? How can you provide students with a concrete understanding of their future options? Can you take field trips to different places of business? Colleges and universities? Bring in speakers?” (Seif, 2013)

However, these techniques are not always within a teacher’s (or parent’s) realm of control. If you these techniques are too overwhelming or the scope is out of your control, try these 7 strategies that you will likely have the power to implement:

• Be an example. Model a positive, encouraging attitude in all that you say, do and believe.
• Create a positive learning space for your student.
• Help your student visualize a positive outcome from every scenario before starting.
• Eliminate negative verbiage from your students’ dialogue (e.g., respond to “I can’t do it” with “Why can’t you do it? What’s holding you back? How can I help?”).
• Help your students change negative thinking patterns (encourage them to replace the negative thoughts with positive ones).
• Play the role of your students’ biggest fan (encourage them and help them develop self-confidence ).
• Incorporate a rewards system to encourage positivity at all times (Werrell, 2016).

For more tips and suggestions from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, check out their excellent resource on instilling positive attitudes and perceptions about learning here .

There are many positive thinking exercises and games that can give you a boost.

Some of the most popular ones are listed here, but feel free to search for more if none of them align with your interests—there are a lot to choose from out there!

Zdravko Lukovski from the Enlightenment Portal website has 10 exercises and activities that you can implement in your own life or encourage your clients to try in order to think more positively:

• Listen to your favorite music—it’s that easy! Music has a fairly unique ability to put you in a positive state of mind, so take advantage of that fact.
• Express your thankfulness and gratitude for all the good things in your life. Appreciate them, and write them down to help you remember.
• Remember to breathe. Breathe deeply, slowly, and mindfully to transport your mind to a positive, calm place.
• Don’t live according to a label—labels come from others, not from yourself, and you are so much more than a simple label could ever represent. Be authentic, and it will be much easier to be positive.
• Check your internal dialogue, and challenge that critical inner voice to make room for happiness.
• Engage in positive activities like meditation , yoga , hiking, playing a sport, or whatever other activity you enjoy.
• Take back control of the things you can change—and put in the effort required to actually change—but learn to accept the things you cannot change.
• Go easy on yourself. Don’t kick yourself when you’re down; everyone fails, and it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.
• Pay attention to your diet, and ensure that you eat healthy food that will contribute to a healthy and positive mind.
• Embrace change—it’s happening whether we want it to or not, so it’s best to embrace it. Make an effort to step outside of your comfort zone (2015).

This list from Thought Catalog’s Kathy Mitchell (2017) has some of the same ideas as Lukovski, but she adds a few more activities as well:

• Listen to upbeat music.
• Have sex (that can certainly be an engaging and life-affirming activity!).
• Travel, even if it’s not very far—the point is to interact with different people and get to know other cultures.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Be thankful and cultivate gratitude.
• Journal and/or use a notebook to write things down—especially positive things.
• Breathe mindfully and deeply.
• Use positive words and avoid phrases like “I can’t” and “I won’t.”
• Practice positive affirmations or mantras.
• Try the Best Possible Self exercise (imagine yourself in your best possible future, and write about it).
• Volunteer and commit your time and efforts to helping others.
• Take control of the things you can, and accept the things you can’t.
• Remind yourself “Never a failure, always a lesson;” make every failure a learning opportunity.
• Try the mirror technique—say something positive about yourself (and truly mean it) every time you see yourself in the mirror.
• Socialize and spend time with others, including family, friends, your spouse or significant other, and new friends or acquaintances.

If you’re more interested in games you can play to boost positive thinking, try these suggested games from Mary Osborne (2017) at Live Strong.

Recognizing Positive Behavior

Gather your team (or family, friends, etc.) and review a list of a generic individual’s positive behaviors (like giving credit to others, smiling, saying thank you, and listening nonjudgmentally).

Next, ask players to identify their reactions to positive behaviors like these.

When everyone has listed their responses to these behaviors, talk about them as a group to show that engaging in positive behaviors like these will attract clients, customers, and coworkers rather than repel them.

The “Glad” Game

This game comes from the Disney movie Pollyanna, in which the main character actively cultivates positive thinking.

Have one person bring up a negative event, like losing a job or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The other players are challenged to turn the first person’s thoughts to the positive; for example, they can say something like, “ But now that I’ve lost my job, I’ll have more time to _______ .” The first person must come up with a word or phrase that fits the blank.

This game will encourage you to find the silver lining and look for opportunities instead of wallowing in despair.

Egg-Balancing Game

The egg-balancing game can be frustrating, but it can impart an important lesson in staying optimistic and open-minded.

Give your player(s) a raw egg and a flat, somewhat textured tabletop (use a tablecloth or placemat if you need to). Tell them to find a way to balance the egg in an upright position on the table. They might say it’s not possible, but assure them that it is!

Let them try for a while—they might actually be able to do it—but give them a small mound of salt to balance the egg in if they are struggling for too long. If you use the salt, remind them that this is an important thing to remember: sometimes things that seem impossible actually are possible when you think outside the box!

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Hunt for Happiness

This game is described as a “positive-thinking scavenger game” and it can be used with both children and adults.

Have the players make a list of things that they feel make life worth living or, for younger children, things that make them smile.

Once everyone has a list ready, send them off on a scavenger hunt to collect as many items on the list as possible. If it’s too big to collect and bring back, you can mark your “collection” of it on the list.

You’ll have to get creative to check off everything on the list, especially abstract things like “love,” but that’s part of the challenge. As a bonus, it will also help you boost your creative thinking in addition to your positive thinking.

To read more about these games, click here .

For Children

There are even more games and activities to help children develop a positive mindset. If you’re a teacher, parent, coach, or anyone else who interacts with kids, give these activities a try.

Big Life Journal has a great infographic that lists the ways you can help children develop a positive attitude. You can find the whole blog post here , but we’ll outline the 7 activities they describe:

• Engage your child in loving-kindness meditation. You can teach him or her the four traditional phrases directed towards loved ones if you’d like: “May you feel safe. May you feel happy. May you feel healthy. May you live with ease.”
• Encourage your child to help others, whether that takes the form of assisting an elderly neighbor with yard work or chores, helping a friend with homework, or participating in a canned food, clothing, or toy drive.
• Have your child create and write in an “Awe Journal.” Tell them to write down any sights or moments from their daily life that they find beautiful, extraordinary, awesome, or just all-around wonderful.
• Encourage your child to set goals, visualize their path forward, and plan for obstacles before they come face-to-face with them (this is the WOOP approach: Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan).
• Share your own positive experiences with your child. Laugh with them, hug them, and set aside quality time to simply be together.
• Identify your child’s strengths and encourage him or her to put them to good use and develop them further with productive, fun activities.
• Guide your child through the process of coming up with positive affirmations like, “I am kind. I am enough. I am loving. I am good.” (Cullins, 2018).

Another collection of activities that can help children (and the whole family) develop and maintain a positive mindset comes from Sharon Harding at the Rediscovered Families website:

• Keep “Quote Books,” or notebooks for your children to write in. Every week, choose a positive quote to share with your kids and encourage them to write it down along with their thoughts, drawings that correspond to the quote, or insights from a family discussion or activities based on the quote.
• Try the “Success of the Day” activity, in which each family member is encouraged to talk about a success they had that day, like helping someone, standing up for a peer, finishing a project, or committing (or receiving) a random act of kindness. Your children can keep a journal of their successes to look back on and draw inspiration from.
• Create Warm Fuzzy Jars for each of your children; whenever they do something kind or helpful, they can place a pom-pom ball in their jar to represent the warm fuzzy feeling they gave to another person. When their jar is full, they get to choose a special or fun activity to do—with either parent, both parents, their sibling, or the whole family.
• Write Morning Love Notes (sweet notes for them to read in the morning and get a good start to their day) for your children, and encourage them to write them for their siblings.
• Choose an Act of Kindness to help your kids understand the impact a simple kindness can have. Try something like shoveling a neighbor’s walkway when it snows, bringing a meal to a family in need, or volunteering.
• Creating art that helps them to manage their feelings and turn their mind towards the positive (more info here ).
• Have each family member create a Slinky Character Trait Person. Encourage each family member to identify some positive character traits in each other and write them on the slinky person. You can find more detailed instructions here .
• Help each child make a vision board to share their hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations with each other.
• Complete the Buggy and Buddy motivational art activity to help your children boost their creative confidence and self-esteem .
• Make gratitude stones and encourage your children to practice gratitude every day. All you’ll need is a small, smooth stone and some paint to create a heart on the stone. Tell your children to carry them around and use them as a reminder to think about the things they are grateful for. You can also use them in other ways, detailed here .

If games and activities aren’t really your “thing,” there are lots of other ways to cultivate a positive attitude.

One effective technique is completing worksheets designed to help you develop a positive mindset.

A few of the many worksheets on this topic are described below.

Strengths Exploration

Becoming more positive can start with a fun and uplifting exercise—identifying your strengths.

This worksheet lists 36 individual strengths, with room to add 4 more, that you can use to pick out which strengths you embody. You can choose as many as you like, but try to keep the list to those traits that you think are your biggest strengths .

Once you have your strengths identified, move on to the rest of the worksheet: learning about your strengths in specific areas, how you apply them now, and how you can use them more often.

The second page concerns your relationships—romantic relationships, family relationships, and relationships with friends. There are three questions to guide you here:

• List the strengths you possess that help you in your relationships.
• Describe a specific time your strengths were able to help you in a relationship.
• Describe two new ways you could use your strengths in relationships.

On the third page, you will answer the same questions but with your profession in mind instead of relationships.

The fourth page repeats these questions but with a focus on personal fulfillment (hobbies, interests, pleasurable activities).

You can find this worksheet here .

Gratitude Journal

Cultivating a regular practice of gratitude will help you to become more positive, and this worksheet will guide you in establishing your practice.

First, the instructions for the sheet are as follows: “Two times a week, write a detailed entry about one thing you are grateful for. This could be a person, a job, a great meal with friends, or anything else that comes to mind.”

Next, the worksheet includes some tips for effective journaling, like:

• Don’t rush to write down the first things that come to your mind. Take time to truly think about what you’re grateful for. Expect each entry to take between 10-20 minutes.
• Writing about the people who you’re grateful for tends to be more powerful than writing about things.

To help get you started, you can use one of the journaling prompts listed in the worksheet, including:

• Someone whose company I enjoy…
• A fun experience I had…
• A reason to be excited about the future…
• An unexpected good thing that happened…

The next two pages provide you space to write up to four entries. It’s best if you get a journal specifically for this purpose, but this space can get you started until you obtain a journal.

Click here to download this worksheet .

Positive Journal

Similar to the gratitude journal, a positive journal is an effective way to use journaling to improve your mindset.

The worksheet encourages you to make a point of recognizing positive experiences throughout your day, however big or small. At the end of each day, use the worksheet to record three positive things that happened.

It’s good to have an actual journal for your positive entries (either the same journal you use for recording the things you are grateful for or a separate one), but this worksheet includes space for entering three positive things for 7 days to help you get started.

Click here to read the instructions in more detail.

Protective Factors

The Protective Factors worksheet will get you thinking about all of the positive traits, attributes, and skills that contribute to your resilience and overall mental health. Identifying these factors is essential to knowing when and how to use them.

The instructions are to review each of the protective factors listed and marking where you are on the scale (from weak to strong). These factors include:

• Social Support
• Coping Skills
• Physical Health
• Sense of Purpose
• Self-Esteem
• Healthy Thinking

Once you have given thought to each protective factor, the next page poses some questions about them:

• Which protective factor has been the most valuable to you during difficult times?
• Specifically, how have you used this protective factor to your advantage in the past?
• What are the two protective factors that you would like to improve?
• Describe how things might be different if you able to improve these protective factors.
• List specific steps or actions that might help to make these goals a reality.

To download this worksheet and learn about your own protective factors, click here .

Looking Back, Looking Forward

This worksheet will help you to identify times in your life when things have gone well, when you got things right, and when you thrived.

First, for the “Looking Back” portion, you will be instructed to choose a timeframe to reflect on (for example, “the past year” or “since starting my new job”).

Next, you will answer several questions about the positive events and accomplishments from this time period, including:

• List your accomplishments from this timeframe, even if they seem minor.
• Describe a great day from this timeframe. What made this day special?
• How have you grown, or what lessons did you learn, during this timeframe?
• What are you grateful for from this timeframe? Try to list at least three examples.
• What was a challenge that you overcame during this timeframe?

For the “Looking Forward” portion, you will complete a similar exercise but with a future time period in mind.

Instead of the questions above, you will answer these five questions:

• What would you like to achieve during this timeframe?
• What are you looking forward to during this timeframe? Try to list at least three examples.
• What relationships would you like to strengthen during this timeframe?
• What can you do to help others during this timeframe?
• Ideally, how will your life be different at the end of this timeframe? Give specifics.

Once you have completed this worksheet, you will have a list of good things and accomplishments already behind you, and a list of good things you have to look forward to and work towards. Click here to get started.

Why I’m Grateful

This is a great worksheet for cultivating gratitude, and it can be used with children or adults.

It lists six prompts for you to complete that will help you focus on the good things in your life:

• I am grateful for my family because…
• Something good that happened this week…
• I am grateful for my friendship with… because…
• I am grateful for who I am because…
• Something silly that I am grateful for…
• Something else I am grateful for…

To start thinking about all the things you have to be grateful for, click here .

Positive Activities for Behavioral Activation

This worksheet is focused on the therapeutic technique of behavioral activation—encouraging the patient to get more active, engage in positive activities, and gain the rewards inherent in these activities.

It instructs you to create a list of activities that you find personally rewarding and leaves space for you to do so.

Next, it instructs you to rate the ease of each activity on a scale from 1 (difficult) to 10 (easy) and the reward you get from each activity on a scale from 1 (not at all rewarding) to 10 (very rewarding).

Completing this worksheet will leave you with a list of activities that you can refer to whenever you need a quick boost, and help you learn about what you enjoy most.

Click here to download this worksheet.

Positive Experiences

The Positive Experiences worksheet is a simple one in theory, but it can be difficult to actually complete. The difficulty comes with an equivalent reward though; you can get a great boost in your mood, self-esteem, and self-confidence from completing it.

The only instruction is to consider each of the positive traits listed and write briefly about times when you have displayed each of them.

The positive traits include:

• Selflessness
• Determination

If you’re feeling particularly down, you may be tempted to skip one or two, but fight this urge! You have definitely displayed each of these traits at one time or another—don’t sell yourself short!

Positive Steps to Wellbeing

This resource is actually a handout, but you can certainly make it interactive by taking notes or using check marks to indicate what you have tried, or what you would like to try.

It lists 12 things you can do to improve your wellbeing. These 12 activities include:

• Being kind to yourself
• Exercise regularly
• Take up a hobby and/or learn a new skill
• Have some fun and/or be creative
• Help others
• Eat healthily
• Balance sleep
• Connect with others
• Beware drink and drugs
• See the bigger picture
• Accepting: “It is as it is”

To read more about how each of these activities contributes to your wellbeing, download the handout here .

Positive Self-Talk/Coping Thoughts Worksheet

The positive self-talk/coping thoughts worksheet is a great way to turn your focus from the negative to the positive and come up with positive statements you can use to cope in future stressful or difficult situations.

Example coping thoughts and positive statements listed on the worksheet include:

• Stop, and breathe, I can do this.
• This will pass.
• This feels bad, and feelings are very often wrong.
• I can feel bad and still choose to take a new and healthy direction.
• I feel this way because of my past experiences, but I am safe right now.

After reading the example statements, the worksheet encourages you to write down some coping thoughts or positive statements for difficult or distressing situations in your life. You can write them directly on the worksheet, but it may be most helpful to copy them onto a note card and carry them with you.

While we’re on the subject of positive statements, we should also mention that quotes and affirmations can be an excellent way to encourage positive thinking.

Affirmations

If you’re interested in affirmations, try the Mind Tools Content Team’s (n.d.) list of positive thinking affirmations:

• I have plenty of creativity for this project.
• My work will be recognized in a positive way by my boss and colleagues.
• I can do this!
• My team respects and values my opinion.
• I am successful.
• I am honest in my life, and my work.
• I like completing tasks and projects on time.
• I’m grateful for the job I have.
• I enjoy working with my team.
• I’m bringing a positive attitude to work every day.
• I am excellent at what I do.
• I am generous.
• I am happy.
• I will be a leader in my organization.

If none of these appeal to you on a deep level, refer to their tips on developing your own personal affirmations:

• Think about the areas of your life that you’d like to change.
• Write affirmations that are credible and achievable (based on reality).
• Use your affirmations to turn negative into positive (note a persistent negative thought and choose an affirmation that is the opposite).
• Write your affirmations in the present tense—affirm yourself in the here and now, not a vague future version of yourself.
• Say it with feeling! Your affirmations should be personally meaningful to you (Mind Tools Content Team, n.d.).

If you’re having trouble coming up with your affirmations or you just like to hear a different perspective on positive thinking, you might find some quotes helpful.

Lydia Sweatt (2017) from Success.com shares 13 great quotes on optimism and having a positive attitude.

“Optimism doesn’t wait on facts. It deals with prospects.”

Norman Cousins

“Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something is not to your liking, change your liking.”

Rick Steves

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.”

Helen Keller

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”

Noam Chomsky

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

Lucille Ball

“An optimist understands that life can be a bumpy road, but at least it is leading somewhere. They learn from mistakes and failures, and are not afraid to fail again.”

Harvey Mackay

“Optimism is a kind of heart stimulant―the digitalis of failure.”

Elbert Hubbard

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

John Wooden

“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.”

Benjamin Franklin

“Optimism refuses to believe that the road ends without options.”

Robert H. Schuller

“What is hope but a feeling of optimism, a thought that says things will improve, it won’t always be bleak [and] there’s a way to rise above the present circumstances.”

Wayne W. Dyer

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Winston Churchill

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Martin Luther

Quotes can be fantastic motivators, but you probably agree that a rousing speech or inspiring video can be even more effective.

Check out these TED Talks and YouTube videos on positive thinking when you need a boost.

Jim Rohn’s A Positive Attitude Attracts Success

Brendon Burchard’s How to Reprogram Your Mind (for Positive Thinking)

Carol Dweck’s TED Talk The Power of Believing That You Can Improve

Shawn Achor’s TED Talk The Happy Secret to Better Work

If you’re more of a fan of books than videos, never fear—we’ve got book recommendations too!

Here are just a few of the many books on developing a positive mindset:

• Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E. P. Seligman ( Amazon )
• Attitude: Your Most Priceless Possession by Elwood N. Chapman ( Amazon )
• The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor ( Amazon )
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck ( Amazon )
• Getting Back to Happy: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality, and Turn Your Trials into Triumphs by March Chernoff and Angel Chernoff ( Amazon )
• Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E. P. Seligman ( Amazon )
• Mindset: How Positive Thinking Will Set You Free & Help You Achieve Massive Success in Life by Benjamin Smith ( Amazon )
• Hard Optimism: How to Succeed in a World Where Positive Wins by Price Pritchett ( Amazon )

17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

Expand your arsenal and impact with these 17 Positive Psychology Exercises [PDF] , scientifically designed to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

If you’re still with me after this very long read, thanks for sticking with it! I hope you will find that the time invested in reading this piece was worth the information you gleaned from it.

The one takeaway from this piece that I really hope sticks with you is this: Positive thinking is a powerful tool that can result in a lot of benefits for you and those around you; however, thinking positive 100% of the time is unrealistic and could even be disastrous.

We have a lot of different emotions and thoughts, and we have such a wide variety for a reason. There are times when being a bit pessimistic can help us, and it is a good idea to let out the negative emotions you experience once in a while (especially if the alternative is bottling them up).

If you’re an optimist by nature, cultivate gratitude for your inherent positivity, but make sure you don’t push aside the negative feelings that crop up. They’re part of life too.

If you’re a pessimist by nature, don’t despair of ever thinking positively. Try a few of the techniques that seem most applicable and give yourself a break if it takes some time. Remember, the goal is not to become a “ Pollyanna ,” but to become the best version of yourself that you can be and maintain a healthy and happy mental state.

How do you feel about the positivity movement? Are you naturally optimistic, pessimistic, or somewhere in between? Do you have any thoughts about how to cultivate a positive mindset? Let us know in the comments section below!

Thanks for reading, and best of luck in developing a positive mindset!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

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• Mind Tools Content Team. (n.d.). Using affirmations: Harnessing positive thinking. Mind Tools. Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/affirmations.htm
• Mitchell, K. (2017). 15 positive thinking exercises & activities to transform your life. Thought Catalog. Retrieved from https://thoughtcatalog.com/kathy-mitchell/2017/03/15-positive-thinking-exercises-activities-to-transform-your-life/
• O’Baugh, J., Wilkes, L. M., Luke, S., & George, A. (2003). ‘Being positive’: Perceptions of patients with cancer and their nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 44 , 262-270.
• Osborne, M. (2017). Positive thinking games. Live Strong. Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/14685-goal-setting-in-relationships/
• Power of Positivity. (n.d.). 5 inner characteristics of a positive thinker. Power of Positivity. Retrieved from https://www.powerofpositivity.com/5-inner-characteristics-positive-thinker/
• Rao, S. (2004). Faculty attitudes and students with disabilities in higher education: A literature review. College Student Journal, 38 , 191-198.
• Roberts, P., & Strauss, K. (2015). The power of the positive. American Nurse Today, 10. [Online publication]. Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/the-power-of-the-positive/
• Sasson, R. (n.d.). The power of positive thinking. Success Consciousness. Retrieved from https://www.successconsciousness.com/index_000009.htm
• Seligman, M. E. (2006).  Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life . Vintage.
• Spiegel, D., Butler, L. D., Giese-Davis, J., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Classen, C. C., Fobair, P., Carlson, R. W., & Kraemer, H. C. (2007). Effects of supportive-expressive group therapy on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer: A randomized prospective trial. Cancer, 110 , 1130-1138.
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Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude (And Your Attitude is A Choice)

Think about the happiest or most successful person you know. What sorts of traits come to mind when you think about them? The odds are a large portion of their traits are about their attitude. This is because ‘your attitude determines your altitude ‘.

Most people have heard this quote at some point in their lives. But, what many people don’t remember is that this quote is designed to motivate people to choose a positive attitude. And choosing a positive attitude is what is going to help you live the life you want to live and reach the heights you want to reach.

‘Attitude Determines Your Altitude’ Meaning

This portion of Zig Ziglar’s famous quote tells us that it isn’t how talented you are that determines how happy or successful you are. Instead, the attitude you choose will determine the heights you reach throughout your life.

It sounds overly simplistic, but choosing to have a positive attitude will give you a better chance of reaching higher heights. Meanwhile, complaining, negativity, and being overly critical will keep you firmly grounded where you are.

In fact, when we have negative and limiting beliefs about ourselves, we limit what we are capable of. Complaining about how hard things are is only going to hold you back from stepping outside your comfort zone . Blaming others for your lack of success is only going to keep you from setting big crazy goals and reaching your potential.

If you want to do more with your life, you need to choose an attitude that is going to match the heights you want to reach. If your attitude determines your altitude, it is time to start rethinking attitude as a choice . And it is a choice that you can start making right now!

Choosing Your Attitude, Choosing Your Altitude

The word ‘choosing’ is used very intentionally here.

There are many times in life where you don’t have control and you do not have a choice. However, your attitude toward the things that happen in your life is something that you do have control over. And you can choose an attitude that will help you reach higher altitudes.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware that horrible things happen to people every day without choice. I have faced my fair share of tragedy and heartbreak throughout my life so far. I know first hand that we definitely do not have control over the bad things that happen to us in our lives.

But, we always have a choice in how we react to challenges, obstacles, and setbacks in our lives. With hard work and the right growth mindset , you can forge yourself a suit of armour that will protect you against whatever else life cooks up for you.

Each challenge that you face is another stepping stone that will bring you closer to the goals and dreams you have for your life. Heights that once seemed unreachable become reachable when you choose a positive attitude.

Believe In Choice

A positive attitude isn’t something that comes easy to everyone. Some people naturally see the positives in everything, while others are more negative and critical. But, if your attitude determines your altitude, then putting in the work to start choosing a positive attitude will be worth it.

If you find choosing a positive attitude to be a challenge, check out our ‘Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude’ printable poster . Hanging this in a high traffic area of your home or office will remind you to choose an attitude that matches your goals.

As a naturally negative person, I find that it helps to pretend that everything in my life is my choice. And since your thoughts become your reality , this helps me realize that I have more control over my mindset than I think. A powerful quote that helps remind me to look for opportunities in struggle is ‘ life is a gift, not an obligation .’

The things that happen in our lives sometimes feel like have to ‘ s rather than get to’s . Try starting each day by thinking about all of the things you are privileged to do, rather than thinking about all of the things you – sigh – have to do .

Here are a few examples:

• Have to go to work? No! You get to apply your skills and talents to help people.
• Have to wake up all night with a teething baby? No, you get to be the one that comforts your precious little one.
• Have to watch your kids? No! You get to enjoy a reminder of what it is like to play and have fun.

There is always a choice in how you perceive the things that happen to you. If you believe that you have a choice, and you choose a grateful heart , it is much easier to have a positive attitude.

And since your attitude determines your altitude, the goals you have for your life won’t feel so far away!

Does Your Attitude Match Your Altitude?

Attitude is altitude. If you choose a positive attitude, you will find growth in setbacks and reach heights that you could only dream of. However, if you choose a negative attitude, it will keep you grounded where you can only complain about all of the goals you aren’t reaching.

If you have goals for your life, it is time to align your attitude with your dreams and ambitions. The more you choose a positive attitude, the more you will find yourself actively working to reach your goals.

You have an idea of what you want your life to look like. And you have choices you can make to start living the life you want to live. Choose an attitude that matches your goals, aspirations, and the highest heights of your dreams. And when you get there, be sure to enjoy the view!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who struggles with finding positivity, this post could be the push that they need to start choosing a positive attitude today!

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Attitude changes everything – it can change your life

Attitude changes everything. Change your attitude and you can change your life. You cannot always control what happens to you in life but you can always control how you respond to the challenges or difficult situations you encounter. The attitude you approach anything with is entirely your choice. The way you choose to respond mirrors your attitude and so by changing your attitude you can change your perspective and change your life. Your attitude reflects the way you see the world and how you live in it. It affects every aspect of your life, your happiness, relationships, health, wellbeing and success. Developing a positive attitude that you apply with action can change the way you live your life regardless of the challenges or adversity you face. In this post I want to share with you some of the ways attitude can change the way you live your life.   “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The attitude you choose will determine the outcome

Select the most useful attitude that will help you with the challenges you face. The attitude you choose will determine how successful you will manage the challenge or situation. Consider how that attitude will determine what you say, your behaviour and action and what will be the outcome.

Always take action with a purpose

Before you take any action, decide how it will serve your greater goals. Act with thought and consideration when choosing an attitude that will help you take the actions that will manage the challenges you face.

Move out of your comfort zone

If you stay stuck in your comfort zone, it may seem safe and familiar but if you don’t challenge yourself nothing will ever change. If you don’t stretch yourself every day, you will never find out what you are truly capable of. Have a go, take a risk and transition from your comfort zone into your growth zone where you will gain purpose, live your dreams, set goals and overcome the obstacles that have been holding you back.

Take action without expecting success

Change happens and confidence grows from taking action. It’s where you learn most about yourself and build resilience. Of course you have to make decisions and plan your actions to achieve the results you want, but it’s a big mistake to expect those results and then be upset or downhearted when you don’t get them. Take the best action you can but don’t fixate about the result.

Use setbacks or disappointments to learn from and to build resilience

Rather than feeling bad if you fail, reflect on your actions and see what you can do to better or learn what to do next. Growth comes from failing and learning, again and again. Seek out those who share your positive attitude. It’s a known fact that your brain automatically copies the behaviours of the people around you. Therefore, it makes sense to surround yourself with people who have a positive and proactive attitude and move away those who are unduly negative or drain your energy.

Practice gratitude more frequently

Achieving an “attitude of gratitude” entails more than simply recognising what’s wonderful in your own life. Take action by thanking other people for their gifts or kindness to you, even if that gift is something as simple as a smile or an acknowledgement. Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you want to be happier nurture the ability to laugh at yourself. It will help to balance your drive and purpose with a dash of gentle humour and fun.

If you are facing a challenge or difficulty today what attitude will you choose to help yourself?

What action will you take as a result?

If this post has been helpful please share it with other women who may benefit from reading it.

Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-darbyshire-evans

and go to www.finerthinking.com and you can sign up on the homepage for a COMPLEMENTARY BREAKTHROUGH SESSION to discover how you can learn to change your attitude and change your life so you can thrive not just survive and be fulfilled and enjoy the industry you love.

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Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude

Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal. nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude..

To give you but one example, look at the research by Dr. Martin Seligman. He spent years studying the relationship between positive attitudes and sales success. At the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, he discovered that the agents who scored in the top half for optimism sold 37% more than those in the more pessimistic bottom half. More notable still, the agents who scored in the top 10% for optimism sold 88% more than those who ranked in the most pessimistic 10%.

So the 19th century philanthropist and statesman, Charles Buxton, was right. He noted, “Sometimes success is due less to ability than to zeal.”

I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I wrote my book called, “PIVOT: How One Turn In Attitude Can Lead To Success.” I suggest you get a copy … but don’t read it. Devour it. Go to

To get you started on the building and maintaining of a positive attitude, do the following.

1. Make a rational, logical decision

Having a positive attitude is not some kind of hype from a rah-rah motivational speaker. Having a positive attitude is the only sane approach to take.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, the author of the runaway best-selling book, “The New Psycho-Cybernetics” makes that perfectly clear. He says, “It is the job of the conscious rational mind to form logical and correct conclusions. ‘I failed once in the past, so I will probably fail in the future’ is neither logical nor rational. To conclude ‘I can’t ‘in advance, without trying, and in the absence of any evidence is not rational. We should be more like the man who was asked if he could play the piano. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘What do you mean you don’t know?’ He said, ‘I have never tried.'”

He’s right. You really don’t know what you can do and what you can accomplish without first trying. So it makes a lot more sense to adopt a positive attitude toward life and work than default into a negative perspective.

Just remember … your attitude is YOUR choice. No one gave you a bad attitude, and no can give you a positive attitude except YOU yourself. YOU get to choose. You can choose to think, “I can’t stand this awful rainy weather,” or you can choose to think, “Just what we need. A nice bit of rain to freshen things up.”

Of course, if you’re somewhat cynical, you might think, “Yeah, that’s easy enough to say when you’re talking about simple things like the weather. But it’s not possible to adopt a positive attitude when things are super bad at work or at home.”

Oh yes it is. Dr. Viktor Frankl proved that as a Jewish prisoner in the concentration camps of the Nazi regime. He said it was a person’s attitude that gave them the motivation to survive in circumstances where most people could see no sign of hope. In his words, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” In other words, attitude … and your power to choose your response … is everything.

And then, to further build and bolster your positive attitude…

2. Get in the habit of winning.

It was one of the secrets of the great football coach Vince Lombardi and it was one of the secrets of his legendary winning teams. Lombardi said no matter how “bad” you are, you need to start with small, simple goals you can achieve every day. You need to “get in the habit of winning” which creates a “winning feeling” and a “winning expectation.”

Indeed, Lombardi was so convinced that this was one of the routes to great success that he made an all-out effort to win even the pre-season games. He knew that the habit of wining would lead to a positive attitude and all kinds of other successes.

If you’re not in the “habit,” try this. Each night before you go to bed, make a “To Do” list for the following day. Plan out some things you will do that will ensure some “wins” for the day … no matter how big or small. And then the next morning, on the way to work, start thinking of what you will do, how you will do it, and how successful you will be. Start creating your self-fulfilling prophecy and reinforcing your positive attitude.

3. Remain teachable.

If you’re quite talented, you may have some difficulties when it comes to staying positive and teachable. You may act like you know it all. If so, it will be difficult for you to keep on growing.

You see … teachability is not so much about your competence as it is about your attitude. Do you have a hunger to discover and grow? If so, you’ll be the champion the great basketball coach John Wooden talked about. He said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

Some people attend my “Journey To The Extraordinary” program kicking and screaming. They ’re “sent” by their employers, friends, or spouses, and they came less than “voluntarily”. But that’s no problem.

Listen to Dave Gummer from the FBI. Dave writes, “I must admit that I wasn’t all that thrilled about coming to the Journey program. I was encouraged, pushed, or forced by the powers that be. But boy am I ever happy that I attended. You came along at exactly the right time and offered some great techniques for getting through a difficult period in my life, both personally and professionally. And it’s truly working — even for my wife, because I shared with her all the techniques you taught us. A very sincere thank you.”

Even though Dave was initially skeptical, he remained teachable. What about you? Are you skeptical when you think about attending my “Journey to the Extraordinary” program? I would hope not. I would hope you’re still very teachable.

Indeed, it was his attitude and his teachability that contributed to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. His notebooks were hundreds of years ahead of their time. He anticipated submarines, helicopters and other modern inventions. In one notebook he wrote, “Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.” He was driven by his positive attitude to know more. He was learning and writing discoveries in his notebooks until the very end of his life.

And the good news is, you don’t have to have the mind or talent of a Leonardo da Vinci to be teachable. You just have to have the right attitude.

Finally, to keep on building your positive attitude…

4. Do it now.

An old Chinese proverb says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”

True. But that pesky first step can be a killer. All too often you may have great intentions … you’re going to read a certain book … you’re going to write out your five-year plan … you’re going to start a new business … you’re going to lose weight … and you’re going to do a thousand other things. But for some reason, you can’t get yourself to take that first step. You’re procrastinating because you don’t FEEL like doing it.

Well, forget about your feelings. In this case, they’re irrelevant. If you know it’s something you should be doing, then do it … whether or not you feel like it. Once you take that step, the positive feelings will come.

Dr. William James, one of the founding fathers of modern-day psychology said, “Procrastination is attitude’s natural assassin. There’s nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task.”

If you procrastinate, you will be reinforcing your overall negative attitude toward yourself and everything else. If you just do it, you will be building a powerful positive attitude for yourself.

Now is the time to pump your positive attitude. Start with these four steps.

How teachable are you? How open to change and growth are you?

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“Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as being able to remake ourselves.” ~Gandhi

It was 1999 and my life stunk. I had failed miserably as a missionary for my church, I’d been sent to a mental hospital and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I was in the process of losing the woman I thought I was going to marry.

I was in bad shape, and didn’t have a clue as to how I could right the ship, so to speak.

Now, 13 years later, I have a great job that provides for me and my family. I have a beautiful wife, two lovely children (with another on the way!), and plenty of free time to pursue the hobbies I enjoy. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and thanks to a few tiny little pills I take every day, I also enjoy good physical and mental health.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that everything changed completely overnight. It didn’t.

To deal with the loss of my girlfriend I did some therapy; I put myself back on the market and did a lot of dating; I consciously chose to let go of what I thought should happen and accept what had happened. Slowly, I healed until one day I realized that I was open to loving fully again.

Dealing with my mental illness is a challenge that continues to this day. I’ve put in place the foundation for good mental health by accepting the fact that I will need to be medicated for the rest of my life.

After making that choice, there has still been an endless parade of medications as we try to find the right cocktail for me. And even with the medications, I still have good times and bad. The medication, I’ve found, is a tool and not a panacea.

Making these outward choices has really helped, but there is one thing that really changed everything for me: I changed my attitude.

What caused that change? I read a book called Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl.

Frankl was a neurologist and psychiatrist who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He was forced to work as a slave laborer and watch as many of his peers died slow, miserable deaths.

He was separated from his own wife, mother, and father, and lost them all before the war ended. But what did Frankl learn from his time in the concentration camp? Here’s what he had to say:

“Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances…”

When I read those words, something clicked inside of me. I intuitively knew that they were true, and I knew that I needed to learn how to give myself an attitude adjustment if I wanted to have any measure of peace in this world. So I began to study.

I read everything I could get my hands on that had anything to do with personal development, and I began to notice patterns in the books I was consuming.

Over time, the patterns became clearer and clearer until I was able to identify 10 “rules” of happy living.

I call these rules The Ten Principles of Personal Development. They are, in no particular order:

• Be loving toward everyone you meet.
• Forgive all who attempt to harm you.
• You become what you think.
• Look for ways to strengthen those who have less than you have.
• Always seek knowledge and truth.
• Always be honest.
• Never waste what you are given.
• Be grateful for all that you have.
• Develop a spirit of optimism.
• Have faith in something greater than yourself.

Once I identified the Ten Principles, I needed a way to make them a part of my life. So I studied some more. What I found is that the best way to make something a part of your life is to set a goal and follow through on it.

So I began to set one goal a month, doing my best to live one of the principles for 30 days or so. I used The EASIER Method of Goal Achievement to pursue my goals.

If you were trying to be more grateful using the EASIER method, you would:

• Envision yourself being grateful for everything that was given to you throughout the day.
• Assess your current levels of gratitude. In what situations do you easily express your gratitude? In what situations do you struggle?
• Create a strategy that will allow you to be grateful more often.
• Implement your strategy.
• Evaluate your progress as you go through the day’s activities.
• Report your progress to someone you love and trust.

The impact of my decision to live the Ten Principles was monumental. The more I tried to live the principles, the better I felt. The better I felt, the more I wanted to live the principles. I had created a positive feedback loop that was self-reinforcing.

There were still challenges in my life, of course; now, however, I was able to tackle them with a positive attitude, and that seemed to make all the difference. Little by little my attitude improved, and as my attitude improved, I began to enjoy my life more and more.

We all go through difficult situations in life. If you’re in a tough place right now, choose one of the principles above and set a goal to practice it as well as you can over the next month.

This might not immediately change your circumstances, but you will likely find that changing your attitude slowly but surely changes your life.

Photo by h.koppdelaney

About Justin Riggs

Justin loves talking, writing, and thinking about how we can best use our time on this earth. Visit his blog at http://denvergoals.wordpress.com to learn how to transform your life and download your free copy of his e-book, Success! A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Achieve Your Goals and Dreams.

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Productivity , Success

How your attitude determines your success.

Do you remember the last time you faced a major setback–when you felt so low, that nothing seemed to make you happy? No matter how hard you tried, you just felt like the world was against you. Perhaps it was a bad relationship, or the loss of a loved one… maybe something bad happened at work? Whatever it may be, could you recall how your attitude was towards that situation?

Often when we’re caught in an unhappy situation, we feel limited and sometimes trapped. We want to get out of it as quickly as we can, but it’s never quite that simple.

Unfortunately, some people can remain in that terrible situation for weeks, months or even years; while others may come out strong and ready to start over–or continue from where they left off–fairly quickly.

So what sets these two groups apart?

The answer is their attitude .

Attitude is everything when it comes to achieving a goal, and tackling a setback or problem. 

When you’re able to have a positive mindset, you’ll be able to break free of your limitations that are holding you back.

A positive attitude also goes a long way in ensuring you come out victorious from whatever limitations that were holding you back before. It transforms not just your mental state, but your physical and emotional well being. It is the key to lasting total transformation.

Positive Attitude Brings About Positive Health

When you’re stuck in a rut, often the first thoughts that run through your head are negative, thus your outlook likely becomes pessimistic. But, if you can transform those thoughts into more positive ones, then you’re on your way to talking yourself out of that rut, which allows you to move forward.

Of course, positive thinking doesn’t mean ignoring all the bad or unpleasant feelings altogether. It just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way–instead of taking everything as a victim to negative circumstances, you see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Be aware of self talk!

These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self talk comes from logic and reason, while other self talk may arise from misconceptions that you create. Others could come from external sources such as negative people around you, or messages from the media.

The key is to surround yourself with positive influences that can help turn those negative thoughts into positive, more productive actions.You’ll not only feel better about the situation, but in the long run, positive thinking can lower your levels of distress and depression and give you better coping skills during hardships.

Researchers studying the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health have also found that positive thinking may provide increased life span, better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and even greater resistance to the common cold!

It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits, but one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.

It’s also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess.

Suffering is Inevitable, So It’s Best to Accept It

Now, one thing that everyone goes through at some point, is  suffering . It’s a harsh reality, yet you can’t actually avoid it. We experience suffering as the result of unhappiness, fear, anger, loss or frustration. In fact, it would be hard to even imagine the feeling of happiness if we never experienced suffering! How would we ever compare it?

So instead of wallowing in sorrow about the suffering you have endured, take the suffering as an opportunity for change. Did you get laid off from your job? Perhaps this would be a good time to re-assess your career goals.

Rather than feeling negative and stuck, use your time and energy to find opportunities which will put you ahead. With the right attitude, anything can seem possible.

This may sound crazy, but  suffering is the secret to being successful! 

Here’s what I mean. It’s impossible to think of new ideas or understand new experiences without stepping outside of your comfort zone. Anyone who has met great successes has also faced many failures, as nobody wins on every try.

To propel you toward success, find a way to track your progress and to set and celebrate small benchmarks. It may be helpful to conduct a weekly review to assess where you are and acknowledge all of the small wins of the week. Every accomplishment, no matter how small, is an achievement; so, be sure to take note of them.

Tracking your progress is also a great way to find and mitigate triggers and hindrances that impede your progress. The point is, you’re making progress; even if it feels like suffering, you can see that it’s leading you to joy.

Remember, don’t compare yourself to others. Only compare yourself to who you were yesterday.  Each step you make towards progress is making you a better version of you.

Gratitude Goes a Long Way in Shaping Attitude

Now, this may seem difficult to do when you’re already feeling down, but having gratitude is a very useful when you’re trying to navigate your way out of a setback. Being grateful for existing accomplishments and the supports in your life will help you see them more clearly, build your own confidence, and give you a better overall outlook on what your limitations really are and what you have to do to overcome them.

With a grateful attitude, you limit the damage of negative influences, and strengthen the impact of positive ones. Being grateful, even during the toughest of times, steers your attitude towards a more positive one, allowing you to get back on your feet much more quickly. Many studies done on gratitude have shown positive results for people who practice regularly, such as improvement in relationships and in mental health. There’s even studies that show higher motivation in work settings due to a simple ‘thank you’ from managers to their subordinates.

Believe in Yourself and Your Truth

This is often easier said than done, but is also the most empowering truth to overcoming your setbacks and limitations in life.

Many people find it hard to keep a positive attitude during tough times because they lack inner confidence. They doubt their abilities because of the ‘failure’ that they’re experiencing, and don’t think that they can rise above again.

But, confidence doesn’t just come from talent, luck or easy opportunity. Confidence comes from overcoming difficulties and facing your fears head on. 

Confidence is a result of getting out of your comfort zone. The more you do this, the more confident you’ll be, and the more positive your attitude will be. Confidence will help you see your goals more clearly, find your strengths within, reach your goals and overcome your limitations much more quickly.

Here’s a quick story about my own struggles helping me get ahead:

When I first started Lifehack, it took a long time to gain a solid readership. Just getting 100 visitors was a challenge and took a good bit of time. I had great ambitions for this site, yet it seemed like I was doomed to fail. I received plenty of criticism, too. Some people thought that the world didn’t need yet  another  self help site, others offered the opinion that there was something wrong with the idea itself and I was making a mistake.

It was hard for me not to listen to them and, at some times, agree. But, persistence is key, and in the end I chose to believe in my truth.

I worked tirelessly changing the site layout, restructuring articles, and making the site more user friendly. Slowly, I expanded to a team with the hiring of some extremely dynamic and talented people. With each determined effort, the site grew in popularity, and a few years later, we had influenced millions–and continue to do so.

Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and facing every challenge head on were the greatest contributing factors to increasing my confidence. So welcome the challenges that come; don’t avoid them, as they’re all opportunities in disguise to feed your growth.

Your Attitude Sets the Tone for Success

Do you see the importance of having a positive attitude? It is so much more than a mindset or state of mind. Your attitude sets the tone for every action and behavior that follows after, and that will determine how long it takes for you to break free from your current circumstance.

So if you’re currently in an unhappy situation, why not give it a try and look at things from a more positive outlook? As mentioned, not only does having a positive attitude bring about favorable outcomes, it also brings about positive health in the long run.

Embracing hardship as it is, and using it as a learning experience to grow, will also make you stronger. And, whether you’re going through good or bad times, practicing gratitude will no doubt help to limit the damage of negative influences, and strengthen the impact of positive ones.

Lastly, in any circumstance, you are your greatest barrier to success, which is why it’s important to always believe in yourself!

You will always have the power to be in control of your situation because your attitude is determined by you. So start harnessing all that positive thinking to turn those limitations into strengths!

Featured photo credit: Photo by Jonathan Francisca on Unsplash via unsplash.com

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Attitude is the Game-Changer: How Perspective Shapes Your Life’s Journey

• By Francesca C.
• September 13, 2023
• PERSONAL GROWTH

The power of attitude in shaping our lives

Attitude, often regarded as the lens through which we perceive the world, plays a pivotal role in shaping our lives. It is the inward stance that influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Our attitude determines whether we approach each day with enthusiasm or apathy, whether we embrace challenges as opportunities for growth or succumb to defeat.

It has an undeniable impact on our overall well-being and success in various aspects of life. By cultivating a positive mindset and adopting an optimistic outlook, we open ourselves up to a multitude of possibilities and greatly enhance our chances of living a fulfilling life.

How perspective influences our life’s journey

Perspective is the unique vantage point from which we view the world around us and interpret experiences. It is shaped by our individual beliefs, values, and personal history. Perspective can either limit us or empower us to see beyond external circumstances and discover hidden opportunities.

The lens through which we perceive situations determines how we respond to them, whether with fear or resilience, with bitterness or gratitude. By consciously choosing to broaden our perspective, embracing different viewpoints, and seeking understanding even in challenging times, we unlock new perspectives that can transform our life’s journey.

Consider this: Imagine two individuals facing identical setbacks an unexpected job loss. The first person adopts a negative attitude filled with blame and self-pity; they perceive themselves as victims of circumstance.

Meanwhile, the second person maintains a positive attitude fueled by resilience; they view the situation as an opportunity for self-discovery and career redirection. It becomes evident that their contrasting attitudes will lead them down different paths, the first person may spiral into despair while the second person approaches this detour as a chance for personal growth.

How attitude shapes our lives

This example demonstrates how attitude shapes not only individual moments but also sets us on divergent trajectories throughout our lives. Similarly, perspective plays a crucial role in determining how we navigate the twists and turns of our journey.

When faced with obstacles, those who possess a narrow perspective may see only roadblocks and become paralyzed by fear or frustration. Conversely, individuals with an expansive perspective are able to identify alternative routes, turning challenges into stepping stones on their path to success.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the science behind attitude, explore strategies for cultivating a positive mindset, examine how attitude impacts relationships and success, and discover techniques for adjusting our attitude when faced with adversity. Through this exploration, we will uncover the immense power that attitude holds in shaping our lives’ trajectory.

Understanding Attitude and Perspective

Defining attitude and its impact on our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Attitude is more than just a word we throw around casually. It is the lens through which we perceive the world and interpret our experiences. Our attitude determines how we react to situations, the emotions we feel, and the actions we take.

It shapes our entire outlook on life. When we have a positive attitude, our thoughts tend to be optimistic and hopeful.

We see opportunities where others see obstacles. Our emotions are generally uplifting, filled with joy, gratitude, and enthusiasm.

And as a result, our actions align with these positive thoughts and feelings. We go after what we want with determination because we truly believe in ourselves.

On the other hand, a negative attitude leads us down a different path altogether. Negative thoughts cloud our judgment and breed self-doubt.

We become trapped in a cycle of pessimism that colors everything in shades of despair. Our emotions mirror this negativity, anger, frustration, sadness and our actions reflect it too: procrastination, giving up easily or not even trying at all.

Exploring the concept of perspective and its role in shaping our worldview

Perspective is like wearing different pairs of glasses that tint how we see the world around us. It encompasses not only how we view ourselves but also how we perceive others and their behaviors.

Our perspective is shaped by various factors such as upbringing, culture, personal experiences, beliefs everything that contributes to who we are as individuals. Imagine two people witnessing the same eventa glass half-empty or half-full scenario—what makes them differ?

Perspective! One person may focus on what’s missing or lacking (glass half-empty), while another may appreciate what’s there (glass half-full).

This simple example highlights just how much perspective can influence our perception. Our worldview, which is the culmination of our perspectives, acts as a filter through which we interpret reality.

It affects our judgments, decisions, and interactions with others. Holding onto a narrow perspective restricts our understanding and limits our ability to empathize with alternative viewpoints.

However, cultivating an open-minded perspective allows us to appreciate diverse experiences and fosters growth. Attitude and perspective are interconnected forces that profoundly impact our lives.

Attitude shapes the way we think, feel, and act every day. It determines whether we approach life with optimism or pessimism.

Meanwhile, perspective acts as the lens through which we view the world—forming our worldview and influencing our interactions with others. Understanding these concepts is crucial in unlocking the potential for personal growth and fulfillment on life’s journey.

The Science Behind Attitude

Neuroplasticity: How the Brain Rewires Itself Based on Attitude

When it comes to attitude, our brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and change. This incredible phenomenon is known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to restructure itself in response to experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

It’s like a mental muscle that becomes stronger or weaker depending on how we use it. Research has shown that when we consistently adopt a positive attitude, our brain rewires itself to reinforce this mindset.

Certain areas of the brain associated with happiness and optimism, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, become more active and interconnected. This rewiring process strengthens positive neural pathways and weakens negative ones.

The implications of neuroplasticity are profound – by consciously choosing a positive attitude, we can reshape our brains over time. So instead of being stuck in a cycle of negative thinking or pessimism, we have the power to cultivate an optimistic outlook that can lead to greater happiness and success in life.

The Link between Attitude and Physical Health: Mind-Body Connection

It turns out that attitude not only affects our mental well-being but also has a direct impact on our physical health. The mind-body connection is an intricate web of interactions between our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical health.

Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that individuals with a positive attitude tend to experience better overall health outcomes compared to those with a negative mindset. For example, researchers have found that optimistic people have lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol in their bodies.

This reduction in stress hormone levels can lead to improved immune function, decreased inflammation, and reduced risk for various chronic diseases. Furthermore, studies have shown that individuals who maintain an optimistic perspective are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors.

They are more motivated to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get sufficient sleep, and engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation or mindfulness. All of these factors contribute to better physical health and well-being.

The science behind attitude reveals that our brain’s ability to rewire itself through neuroplasticity and the intricate mind-body connection demonstrates the profound influence that attitude has on our lives. By consciously choosing a positive attitude, we can reshape our brains and improve both our mental and physical well-being.

So, let’s embrace an optimistic perspective and unlock the transformative power of attitude in shaping our life’s journey. (Note: This is a conversational style article; please make sure it aligns with your requirements.)

Cultivating a Positive Attitude

Recognizing negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones

In the journey of life, our thoughts have a profound impact on our attitudes. Often, we find ourselves caught in a web of negative thinking that saps our energy and hampers our progress. To cultivate a positive attitude, it is essential to recognize these negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones.

One common negative thought pattern is self-doubt. Many of us constantly question our abilities and undermine our potential.

When faced with challenges or opportunities, we may think, “I am not good enough,” or “I will never succeed.” These thoughts limit us from realizing our true capabilities. To break free from this pattern, we must challenge these negative beliefs by consciously acknowledging our strengths and achievements.

By replacing self-doubt with self-confidence, we empower ourselves to embrace new experiences and opportunities. Another detrimental thought pattern is focusing on the worst-case scenario.

Our minds tend to gravitate towards anticipating failure or imagining the worst possible outcomes in any situation. This pessimistic mindset breeds anxiety and prevents us from taking risks or seizing opportunities for personal growth.

Instead of dwelling on negativity, we can reframe these thoughts by envisioning success and visualizing positive outcomes. By actively redirecting our mind towards optimistic possibilities, we create space for growth and open doors to new possibilities.

Practicing gratitude: Shifting focus to appreciate what we have

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life’s demands, it is easy to overlook the blessings that surround us every day. Cultivating a positive attitude involves shifting our focus towards practicing gratitude – acknowledging and appreciating what we have rather than dwelling on what we lack. Gratitude acts as a powerful antidote to negativity by shifting perspective from scarcity to abundance.

It helps us realize that even in challenging times, we have much to be thankful for. By consciously practicing gratitude, whether through keeping a gratitude journal or expressing appreciation to loved ones, we reframe our mindset to embrace the positive aspects of our lives.

In doing so, we become more resilient and better equipped to navigate difficulties with grace and optimism. Moreover, gratitude allows us to savor the present moment.

By taking time each day to reflect on the things we are grateful for – be it a beautiful sunset or a kind gesture from a friend – we cultivate mindfulness and deepen our connection with the present. This shift in focus enhances our overall well-being and enables us to find joy in even the simplest of moments.

Cultivating a positive attitude requires conscious effort and self-reflection. By recognizing negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones, we empower ourselves to overcome self-doubt and embrace new opportunities.

Additionally, practicing gratitude allows us to shift our focus towards appreciating what we have, fostering resilience and savoring the present moment. With these tools at hand, we can shape our attitudes towards positivity which will ultimately transform our life’s journey for the better.

Navigating Challenges with the Right Perspective

Embracing failures as learning opportunities for growth.

Life is full of challenges and setbacks, and it’s easy to let failures discourage us. However, adopting the right perspective can transform these setbacks into valuable learning opportunities. Instead of viewing failure as a final blow to our dreams, we should see it as a stepping stone towards growth and improvement.

Each failure provides us with valuable insights and lessons that can shape our future endeavors. By embracing failures with an open mind, we allow ourselves to learn from our mistakes and become better versions of ourselves.

One way to embrace failures is to analyze them objectively rather than dwelling on self-blame or negativity. Take a step back, evaluate what went wrong, and identify areas for improvement.

This approach helps shift your mindset from self-pity or disappointment towards personal growth. Remember, even successful individuals have faced numerous failures before reaching their goals – it’s all part of the journey.

Developing Resilience through Reframing Setbacks as Stepping Stones to Success

Resilience is an essential quality that helps us bounce back from setbacks in life. It enables us to overcome obstacles and continue moving forward with determination. One powerful technique for developing resilience is reframing setbacks as stepping stones to success.

Reframing involves changing the way we perceive a situation by focusing on its positive aspects rather than dwelling on the negatives. When faced with a setback, instead of feeling defeated or demoralized, try reframing it as an opportunity for growth and progress.

For example, imagine you’ve been working on a project at work that didn’t achieve the desired outcome. Rather than seeing it as a failure or wasting your efforts, reframe it by acknowledging what you learned throughout the process – new skills acquired or insights gained – which can be applied in future projects.

Refusing to let setbacks define you, and instead viewing them as valuable experiences on your journey, builds resilience. It allows you to tap into your inner strength and push forward despite the challenges.

Navigating challenges requires the right perspective, one that embraces failures as learning opportunities and reframes setbacks as stepping stones to success. By adopting this mindset, we can grow from our failures and become more resilient individuals.

Remember, failure is not a sign of defeat; it’s an invitation for growth. Embrace each setback with an open mind, analyze it objectively, and extract lessons that can propel you forward.

Reframing setbacks allows you to see the positive aspects in any situation, building resilience in the face of adversity. So, next time life throws a curveball your way, remember that navigating challenges is not just about overcoming them but also about developing a mindset that transforms setbacks into stepping stones on your path to success.

The Role of Attitude in Relationships

Building strong connections through empathy and understanding.

In our journey through life, relationships play a vital role in our overall happiness and fulfillment. The way we approach and maintain these relationships is greatly influenced by our attitude. Building strong connections requires us to cultivate empathy and understanding.

This means placing ourselves in the shoes of others, trying to comprehend their perspectives, feelings, and experiences. By doing so, we can develop a deeper level of emotional intelligence that allows us to connect with others on a more profound level.

When we approach relationships with empathy, we demonstrate a genuine interest in understanding the needs and desires of the people around us. This involves active listening without judgment or interruption.

It means truly hearing what someone is saying and validating their emotions. By showing empathy, we create an atmosphere of trust and openness a solid foundation for nurturing healthy relationships.

Resolving Conflicts by Adopting a Cooperative Mindset

Conflicts are inevitable in any relationship – be it with colleagues, friends, or loved ones. However, how we handle conflicts can make all the difference in maintaining healthy connections.

Adopting a cooperative mindset when faced with disagreements enables us to approach conflict resolution with positivity rather than confrontation. A cooperative mindset involves viewing conflicts as opportunities for growth rather than as threats to the relationship.

It recognizes that both parties have valid perspectives and seeks common ground where compromises can be made. This mindset promotes effective communication, encourages active problem-solving strategies, and fosters mutual respect.

When resolving conflicts cooperatively, it is important to focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on past mistakes or assigning blame. By shifting our attitude towards collaboration instead of competition during disagreements, we create an environment where relationships can thrive despite occasional misunderstandings.

Attitude plays an integral role in cultivating meaningful connections within our relationships. By embracing empathy and understanding as a foundation, we can develop deeper bonds and foster a sense of belonging.

Additionally, adopting a cooperative mindset when conflicts arise allows us to resolve issues in a manner that preserves the relationship’s integrity and strengthens it further. Remember, a positive attitude not only enhances our own well-being but also positively impacts those around us, leading to more fulfilling connections in our journey through life.

The Impact of Attitude on Success

The correlation between a positive attitude and achieving goals

When it comes to achieving success, a positive attitude can make all the difference. It’s like having a secret sauce that adds flavor and motivation to your journey. Research has shown that individuals with a positive mindset are more likely to set ambitious goals and work diligently towards achieving them.

They possess an unwavering belief in their abilities and maintain an optimistic outlook even when faced with challenges. Having a positive attitude opens doors of opportunity, as it impacts how others perceive us.

People are naturally drawn to individuals who radiate positivity, making networking and collaboration easier. A can-do attitude also enhances creativity and problem-solving skills, as it encourages us to explore different approaches rather than giving up at the first sign of difficulty.

The role of self-belief in overcoming obstacles

Self-belief is like the fuel that propels us forward when faced with obstacles on our path to success. It is an inner conviction that we possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and resilience to overcome any challenge that comes our way.

Without self-belief, even the most talented individuals might crumble under pressure or doubt their capabilities. When we believe in ourselves, we approach problems with determination rather than defeatism.

We see setbacks as temporary roadblocks rather than insurmountable barriers. This mindset allows us to learn from failures and grow stronger as we continue moving forward.

Furthermore, self-belief generates confidence in our abilities, which directly affects how others perceive us. When people sense our confidence, they trust in our capabilities and are more likely to support our endeavors or offer opportunities for growth.

To illustrate the significance of attitude on success through real-life examples:

1. Elon Musk : The visionary entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX is renowned for his unwavering belief in his ideas and his unyielding determination to pursue them. Despite numerous obstacles and failures, Musk’s positive attitude has been a driving force behind his eventual success.

2. Serena Williams : The tennis superstar is not only known for her exceptional skills on the court but also for her unwavering self-belief. Williams has faced her fair share of setbacks and injuries throughout her career, but her positive attitude has helped her overcome these challenges and become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

3. Oprah Winfrey : From a challenging childhood to becoming a media mogul, Oprah Winfrey’s success story is fueled by her indomitable spirit and positive attitude. Her belief in herself and the power of perseverance has allowed her to carve out an empire that spans across various domains.

The impact of attitude on success cannot be overstated. A positive mindset not only influences our ability to set ambitious goals but also helps us navigate obstacles with confidence.

Self-belief serves as the catalyst that propels us forward, allowing us to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. By cultivating a positive attitude and unwavering self-belief, we can unlock our full potential in achieving remarkable success in all areas of life

Attitude Adjustment Techniques

Mindfulness practices for cultivating a positive mindset.

In our fast-paced, often overwhelming lives, it is crucial to find moments of stillness and reconnect with ourselves. Mindfulness practices offer a powerful tool to cultivate a positive mindset. Through mindfulness, we can learn to be fully present in the moment and observe our thoughts and emotions non-judgmentally.

One popular mindfulness technique is meditation. Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and focus on your breath.

As thoughts arise, gently acknowledge them without dwelling on them, then bring your attention back to your breath. Regular meditation practice helps us develop self-awareness and reduces negative thought patterns that hinder our attitude.

Another effective mindfulness technique is conscious gratitude. Take a few minutes each day to reflect on things you appreciate in your life.

It could be as simple as the warmth of sunlight on your face or the support of loved ones. By consciously focusing on these positive aspects, you train your mind to notice them more frequently throughout the day.

Visualization Exercises to Reinforce a Constructive Outlook

Visualization exercises tap into the power of imagination to shape our attitude positively. They involve mentally picturing yourself achieving your goals or overcoming challenges with confidence and success. To begin, find a quiet space where you can relax without interruption.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Visualize yourself in vivid detail accomplishing what you desire most – whether it’s acing that job interview or giving an inspiring presentation.

Engage all five senses during this visualization process: imagine how it would feel, what you would see, hear, taste, or smell in that moment of triumph. Hold onto this image for as long as possible while maintaining an optimistic mindset.

Repeating visualization exercises regularly helps rewire your brain by creating neural connections associated with positive outcomes. It instills belief in your abilities and fosters a confident attitude that can propel you forward in achieving your goals.

By incorporating mindfulness practices and visualization exercises into your daily routine, you can gradually reshape your attitude toward a more positive and constructive outlook on life. Remember, change takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself throughout this process.

With consistency and dedication, you’ll notice a remarkable transformation in how you approach challenges and embrace opportunities. Embrace the power of these attitude adjustment techniques; they are truly game-changers on your life’s journey.

Attitude vs Circumstances: Finding Inner Peace

Letting go of control over external factors

Life can be unpredictable, and circumstances often unfold beyond our control. However, the key to finding inner peace lies in accepting this fundamental truth and relinquishing our desire to control everything around us.

It’s important to realize that true happiness cannot be solely dependent on external factors or outcomes. By letting go of the need for control, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and anxiety.

One way to release our grip on external factors is by focusing on what we can influence – our own thoughts, actions, and reactions. Instead of trying to manipulate every situation to fit our expectations, we should shift our attention inward and concentrate on cultivating a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances.

This shift in mindset empowers us to maintain equanimity even when faced with challenges or disappointments. A powerful practice for letting go is mindfulness meditation.

By training ourselves to observe thoughts without judgment or attachment, we learn to detach from the constant need for control. Mindfulness helps us recognize that circumstances are impermanent, while the power of our attitude remains within us.

Focusing on internal growth irrespective of circumstances

No matter what life throws at us, it’s essential not to lose sight of personal growth and development. While external circumstances may impact us temporarily, focusing on internal growth allows us to transcend those challenges and find lasting fulfillment.

A positive attitude enables us to see obstacles as opportunities for growth, rather than setbacks. When faced with adversity, we can choose to view it as a chance to develop resilience, learn valuable lessons, and forge a stronger character.

By shifting our perspective in this way, we not only find inner peace but also emerge from difficult situations with newfound strength and wisdom. Adopting an attitude of self-improvement irrespective of circumstances nurtures a growth mindset.

We can channel our energy into honing our skills, acquiring knowledge, and developing new perspectives. This commitment to personal growth empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence.

Conclusion: Embracing Inner Peace Amidst Circumstances

Attitude is the game-changer that allows us to find inner peace amidst ever-changing circumstances. By letting go of the need for control over external factors and focusing on internal growth, we unlock the power within ourselves to rise above any situation that comes our way.

Remember that life is not about having complete control or achieving perfection; it’s about embracing the journey and finding contentment in every moment. When we cultivate an attitude of acceptance and focus on personal development despite circumstances, we create a solid foundation for lasting happiness and fulfillment.

The Importance of Attitude in Shaping One’s Life Journey

Attitude is not just a fleeting emotion; it is the compass that guides us through the labyrinthine paths of life. Throughout this article, we have delved into the profound impact attitude has on our thoughts, emotions, actions, relationships, and overall success. Our attitude determines how we perceive and respond to challenges and opportunities.

It shapes our interactions with others and influences our ability to achieve personal growth. By cultivating a positive attitude, we can navigate through life’s twists and turns with resilience and optimism.

With each setback seen as an opportunity for growth, we transform failures into stepping stones towards success. When faced with adversity, a positive attitude allows us to maintain composure and find creative solutions.

Embrace a Positive Attitude

As you reflect upon the power of attitude in shaping your life’s journey, I encourage you to embrace a positive mindset. Choose gratitude over complaint, mindfulness over reactivity, compassion over judgment.

Recognize that you have control over your perspective despite external circumstances. Remember that setbacks are not permanent roadblocks but temporary detours on the path to your dreams.

Embrace them as valuable learning experiences that contribute to your personal growth and resilience. Nurture relationships by approaching conflicts with empathy and understanding.

Seek common ground rather than focusing on differences. By fostering healthy connections built on positivity and cooperation, you create an ecosystem of support for both yourself and those around you.

Believe in yourself wholeheartedly. Trust that your abilities are enough to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

Let go of self-doubt and cultivate unshakeable confidence in your potential for success. Attitude truly is the game-changer in life’s journey, it holds immense power in shaping our reality.

By harnessing the strength of a positive attitude, we can transform challenges into opportunities and create a life filled with joy, abundance, and fulfillment. Embrace the transformative power of attitude today and embark on a remarkable journey towards your dreams.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through workplace challenges. If you’re facing any issues, don’t hesitate to visit our Assistance HUB and reach out to our professionals. We’re here to help you navigate and resolve your work-related concerns. Until next time, take care and remember: you’re not alone in this.

Francesca C.

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The Importance of Attitude: How Changing Your Attitude Will Change Your Life

In order to consciously evolve and master ourselves, our attitude in each moment is what we should focus on as our gauge of personal mastery. We are beings of perception, and the quality of our perception is determined by our attitude. This is the importance of attitude.

An individual who has the openness, honesty, and subtlety to perceive the nuances of their attitude in each moment, and the concentration necessary to make corrections as necessary is truly an unlimited person. For it is our attitude which determines the reality we live in and the opportunities and experiences we are available to.

Two individuals can be in the pouring rain while one is having the time of their lives, and the other is soaked, cold, and in essence, miserable. The difference is not in the environment, but in their perception of the environment. And that is where attitude comes in.

The reason why attitude is an excellent focal point of our attention is because our attitude is what gives us direct insight into our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions in each moment. Many of our beliefs operate on the level of our subconscious mind, therefore they are nearly invisible to us. Moreover, our emotional state is not always obvious.

If we are habitually depressed or angry or hopeless, a time will come when this feels normal. And when we maintain these energies for long enough, we won’t realize our emotional state until we have felt its opposite. For example we wont realize how bored or listless we were until we have felt radical enthusiasm and inspiration , or we wont realize how empty we have been until we have felt love. Therefore only by the experience of a new way of being can we see how we were and how we have been.

This new experience of being is literally a shift attitude.  A shift in perception and a shift in feeling if you will. If we can pay attention to our attitude, and become aware enough to identify the nuances of our attitudes, then we can discover the limitations of our beliefs, thoughts, and emotional states which may have become so habitual that we may not even notice their detrimental effects and the ways in which they limit us.

Making and Maintaining Attitudinal Shifts

I have found in my life that they key to learning and growth is always consistency. Consistency in our actions, and most importantly in what we focus our attention on. Specifically, our attitude, because it is our attitude which determines our reality, and one of the most efficient way to reprogram our subconscious minds and thus change our lives is to make and maintain attitudinal shifts in each moment.

Our beliefs ultimately determine our attitude and perception of the reality around us, therefore instead of struggling to fish out these deeply ingrained beliefs one by one (and there are multitudes), it is more direct and efficient to change what we perceive by consciously changing our attitude. By doing so we experience literally a different set of energy/information and thus when our subconscious minds are consistently flooding with new perceptual and experiential information, over time new beliefs are formed which are in alignment with the attitudes we have consciously chosen.

We can either consciously shift our attitude in order to change our beliefs, or we can remain unconscious and allow our attitude to be determined subconsciously by our subconscious beliefs. Many of which, possible the majority, are limiting.

By being able to consistently make attitudinal shifts, we will gain the subtlety to be able to do so consciously and in a way where the attitudinal shifts we make are done so in order to align more with source, and align with who we truly are and who we are inspired to become. But even more important than making these attitudinal shifts is the ability to maintain them. And the only way to do so is through consistent and diligent practice ( the power of commitment ).

One way is to literally practice new attitudes, new perspectives, and new ways of feeling.  I am not talking here about artificially creating and adopting attitudes because we have already done that. That is what much of our personality is, and precisely what our ego is. A new way to go about this business of personal transformation is to pay attention in our lives and consciously make the attitudinal shifts necessary so that we can maintain connection to intention (the universe).

Many of our programmed behaviors and beliefs which define our habitual attitude are obstructive and incongruous with who we really are and our highest potential. And when those habitual attitudes set in they distort the flow of the universe and higher consciousness through us. When our personality is incongruous with our true nature, it obstructs our connecting link with spirit when it is engaged and the flow of intention (universal consciousness) through us is hindered.

Once you feel intention, you will know it. Meditation will bring you to this awareness, but even still these attitudinal shifts require subtlety which can only be gained with practice over time. And while it seems a difficult task at first, we have to ask ourselves, isn’t our effort involved completely justifiable if the result is the establishment and maintenance of a conscious connection with the universe, with intention, that grows deeper and more profound over time? Moreover, is it not worth it to train ourselves to live at a level of consciousness where we experience and consistently unleash amazing abilities and potential within us, and truly feel unlimited?

Feeling unlimited is not some vague belief, it is an unquenchable lust for life and excitement that surges from the depths of our being when we consciously feel and sense that we have no limitations. It is not a belief but an experiential fact. And that experience can be achieved through the lens of our attitude.

The importance of attitude is that it is the basis for everything in our lives. Our attitude determines how we react to adversity, our ability to grow and to learn, our ability to overcome challenges, and create bonds with others. And our attitude as it is now is the product of a lifetime of instilled beliefs, programming, and in my opinion, brainwashing.

As sinister as it sounds, it is true, simply because the way we have been taught to perceive reality is so far off from the true nature of reality. And whether it was intentional or the result of ignorance, it really doesn’t matter. The fact is that it happened, and why it happened isn’t all that important to me. What is important however is that we take responsibility for ourselves in this moment so that we can consciously reverse it in order to grow, transform, evolve, and experience these exalted levels of consciousness for ourselves.

Changing Your Attitude

When I talk about attitude what I really mean is how we habitually feel and perceive the world. However, this in turn is determined by our ‘personality’ which in itself is founded on our beliefs as a result of life experiences and our programming. To change our attitude, one way is to change directly how we see the world in our imagination and consciously instill new feelings within ourselves based on these new images (which is a highly effective process for manifestation and transformation which I will cover in-depth in a later article).

The simpler method is to just concentrate on consciously feeling differently where appropriate.

I know this works because I did it for the first time when I was in grade 9. I literally concentrated as much as it was possible for me to concentrate to literally change my attitude and how I habitually felt, and the result was that I changed aspects of my personality. In hindsight I realize that I did this in a direction I would not choose to take today because it led to self-pity. But I have no regrets because I see now that it was an essential learning experience in itself which led down a path of even greater learning experiences (many disguised as misfortune, and suffering).

Changing our attitude is not an event but a continuous process, as everything related to mastery and evolution undoubtedly is. You don’t have to change all at once. Instead just make the most relevant attitudinal shifts to you in your daily life and reinforce them consistently until they become your new attitude. And as you do this you will find yourself naturally moving on to new areas, and new levels of subtlety.

If it is most relevant for you in this moment to get in shape, then create an exercise routine and follow it daily while consciously changing your attitude towards yourself, and even your attitude towards hard work, physical exertion, commitment, and discipline which are all lessons I have personally learned through physical training. Or if you are learning a language or studying a difficult course in school, consciously shift your attitude towards your memory, towards your intelligence and so on.

Notice when you unconsciously adopt the attitude of being overwhelmed, or doubting your intelligence, or perceiving as if your memory is poor when you are learning something new. Or when you adopt the attitude of ‘I Can’t’. Sometimes I notice my attitude first by a face that I feel myself making, and that is a trigger to realizing I am feeling an emotion that doesn’t resonate with my unlimited nature.

In these moments take a second and concentrate with everything you have on feeling differently about what you are facing, whatever it may be. It could be self-doubt, or an uncontrollable nervousness about talking to that girl or boy you are infatuated with.

Remember a time when you felt confident and assume that feeling in your body in this instant. When you change how you feel when confronted with these circumstances you are changing your attitude. And eventually with diligent practice and repetition this new feeling and attitude you have conditioned yourself to feel will be your new response to similar circumstances in the future.

But at very least you will have the ability to change your feelings and attitude consciously which is the height of self-mastery and self-awareness. A superpower that I cannot stress the importance of enough.

The Importance of Attitude

In essence there are a lot of major and truly subtle shifts that we can make regarding our relationship to everything. Our attitude towards financial wealth for example is another important one. Our attitude towards adversity, towards challenges, towards hard work, towards learning from within , towards success, towards self-reliance and independence, towards freedom, towards our dreams, towards people you disagree with, towards people you don’t like, towards parts of yourself you don’t like, and on, and on, and on …

And at is our attitudes towards all things in our lives which determine our reality. This is the importance of attitude. Your attitude towards financial wealth is what determines your financial wealth. Your attitude towards success, or towards love, is what determines your success and determines the love you feel. And it is my conviction that changing our attitude is a practice at the heart not only of personal growth and mastery, but of consciousness evolution . Right alongside self-discipline. For it is our attitude towards reality in general which determines what reality is for us. But if we can consciously shift our attitude over time, we will shift our personality drastically, and we will also change our reality by degrees until we live at a new level of being.

And one day, we will shift our attitude and personality to such a finely tuned degree that we are in complete alignment with the universe. And at that time we will cease to be individuals with an ego ( What is Ego? ), and we will become individuals expressions of universal consciousness.

This thing that we call our personality is but the culmination of our beliefs and social programming, and in no way is it something sacred which is unique to us except  the aspects of our personality that are defined by qualities such as love, kindness, generosity, creativity, and true spiritual power. For those are not qualities of the ego, they are qualities of the universe, our true selves, which is shining through us.

Our uniqueness is found in how we express the divine energies being channeling through us, not in the pettiness and limitations of our ego.

Thus by consistently shifting our attitude we are not battling the ego or living from it either. We are simply opening up new channels for expressing the universe and ourselves, and opening a doorway to new ways of being and to a new experience of reality.

You cannot control what is currently happening to you in your life, but what you can control is your attitude towards what is happening in your life, in every respect. And thus by shifting your attitude, you also shift your perspective and change what you attract into your life. This is the importance of attitude.

What we call our ego is not our individuality, rather it is the aspect of ourselves which stands in contradiction to our true nature: it is the expression of our subconscious programming which opposes our true self. The intention therefore is not to remove the ego, but to align it so well with our infinite nature that our ego and infinite nature become completely congruous.

Then we will always be expressing the truth of who we are, which is invariable divine love, creativity, wisdom, and power. That is the true nature of each and every one of us.

By making and maintaining attitudinal shifts that keep us at levels of higher consciousness, over time these attitudinal shifts become subconscious habits and thus our subconscious mind maintains higher levels of consciousness for us. Instead of fighting with ourselves constantly, in the ongoing battle between our ego and our infinite self, it is much more intelligent (and easier in the long run) to concentrate on aligning them.

Our attitude is the focal point of that alignment.

You are personally responsible for everything in your life, once you become aware that you are personally responsible for everything in your life. – Bruce Lipton

This article was written by Brandon West who is the creator of Project Global Awakening . A website dedicated to the research of a variety of scientific and spiritual disciplines, and applying that knowledge to help you live an inspired life and change the world.

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It’s okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.

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Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Positive Attitude — The Power Of Having A Positive Attitude

The Power of Having a Positive Attitude

• Categories: Attitude Positive Attitude

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Published: Jun 7, 2021

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“Your attitude determines your altitude”

Attitude is a matter of choice

“Weakness of attitude becomes a weakness of character “ Elbert Einstein

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You are here: Home » Blog » Happiness

Here’s How Happiness Depends on Your Attitude (Science-based)

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Updated on January 29, 2023

Often in life, it may seem like happiness is beyond our control. And sometimes it is. When we lose a job or a loved one. When negative circumstances are out of our control or out of the blue, it’s natural to be brought down by them. But our baseline happiness, and our continuing resilience to such things, is dependent on us and how we view things.

In essence, the lion’s share of our happiness is dependent on perspective. If we broke our arm it would be difficult not to be upset initially, but the months that follow could be made better or worse depending on how we choose to cope. It depends on what our attitude going forward would be.

How can one simply change their attitude, though? It’s not as easy as flipping a switch, of course. But in this article we’ll explore some ways you can shift your attitude through practice and active, positive change. In turn, breeding resilience and allowing more room for happiness. How handy.

Research on positive outlooks and happiness

“life is what you make of it”, can we control our emotions, reacting to our emotions, get physical, determining what you need to change your attitude, closing words.

In 2005 Gian Vittorio Caprara and Patrizia Steca published research into positive self-belief and efficacy, and its effect on subjective happiness and wellbeing.

It showed that those who harbored positive psychology – positive thinking, self-belief, self-worth – indeed cultivated a better quality of life, from improved social relationships and intellectual capacities to physical and psychological well-being.

This is a good example of life being what you make it, and of positivity breeding positivity.

Many of us don’t need studies to show us this, we already know it to be true. If you go to a job interview with a positive attitude and the belief you will get it, you are much more likely to. We can understand this instinctively. The trick is being able to conjure said positive attitude, particularly when it’s not our usual default.

Training the brain to improve attitude

There are various ways in which default thought patterns can be changed, negative ones broken and remade.

Our emotional state is dependent on our thoughts and vice versa. The emotional, unconscious mind will basically believe the dialogue or scenarios running through our heads. This is why anxiety over a situation that has not happened yet will still cause a state of physical and emotional stress.

It’s also why we can wake up distressed, sweating and jumping from a nightmare, from something that wasn’t real.

We can’t control emotional states directly, but we can actively change our thoughts. This requires practice and patience and is not as clear cut as training our physical bodies at the gym, but the result can be a genuine change in attitude and then happiness.

For this very reason, many people practice positive visualization. If you put active effort into imagining and describing something in a positive way, you ultimately improve your disposition and make it more likely to feel that way. It can be good practice for scenarios that you are worried or stressed about and automatically visualize negatively, thereby perpetuating stress cycles.

It’s like digging a new route for the river to flow – the river being your thoughts – it takes some doing, but once you’ve dug enough, the river will flow naturally in the desired direction.

Practicing positive thought processes over negative ones, over time changes the natural pathways your thought trains take. It’s like digging a new route for the river to flow – the river being your thoughts – it takes some doing, but once you’ve dug enough, the river will flow naturally in the desired direction.

Other therapeutic practices work in some ways around this same premise. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, gratitude , self-love and mindfulness are just a few. They all rely on active practice to begin to shift our natural attitude for the better.

Meditation is another popular way people regulate their moods, decrease stress and cultivate a more positive attitude. Numerous studies have shown the positive effects of mediation, and how those who practice meditation have an improved outlook, and as a result greater self-satisfaction and happiness.

Meditation teaches awareness of thoughts , and the ability to then let them go and not be overrun by a stream of them, not follow them doggedly. This very useful technique is then applicable to all bouts of incessant negative thoughts , which may come with emotional responses to certain things and further perpetuate emotional responses themselves.

In a way, all this direct work on the mind is a form of mindfulness; an increased awareness of our own mind.

This is the first step in any attempt to master our mind (and by extension our emotions) rather than be mastered by it.

So if you wish to change your attitude directly, here are some reminders and other examples of mindful practices to explore:

• Positive visualization
• Self-love practice and affirmations
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Hypnotherapy
• Psychotherapy

More ways to shift your attitude

Changing our thoughts directly through active practice is not the only way we can change our attitude. Indeed, the same study by Gian Vittorio Caprara and Patrizia Steca stated that not only did positive efficacy beliefs contribute to improved social relationships, but that the reverse was also true. Positive social relationships and interaction also contribute to wellbeing, improved self-esteem and efficacy.

Social and creative activity has been shown to improve mood , and even physical health. An absence or diminished sense of these can lead to feelings of isolation and lowered self-esteem.

Improved emotional states can be gained through social interactions and creative pursuit.

We can understand, then, that engaging with social and creative endeavors will automatically change our attitudes for the better. In this way, improved emotional states can be gained through social interactions and creative pursuit, likely to then increase positive thinking and happiness.

Physical activity is yet another option for changing our mental states for the better, without changing our thinking directly. It has been used as an effective treatment for depression , resulting in increased mood and physical wellbeing (improved physical wellbeing itself improving mood, too!).

If tackling your thoughts and attitudes directly, perhaps ‘ faking it until you make it ‘, doesn’t resonate with you, there are numerous other ways to turn a proverbial frown upside down.

Whether it’s:

• Positive social interaction and relationships
• Pursuing creative or intellectually stimulating endeavors
• Engaging with a chosen form of physical exercise

All can definitively contribute to an overall improvement in attitude, which will in turn create more positive thinking and emotions (happiness) and feed off itself in a cycle. It’s a simple matter of tailoring each category to your ideal version.

Any of the options mentioned are a possibility for changing attitudes towards life circumstances for the better, sometimes we just need to find a way to engage with the need that works for us. It’s also entirely possible, even advisable to engage with multiple. Playing badminton blends two needs together, for example: exercise and social interaction. Painting can be a mixture of creativity and mindfulness etc.

Sometimes we might already be meeting certain needs but no others. If we are already excelling in our social pursuits, but a negative attitude is still affecting our happiness, it might be time to explore what other facets aren’t being attended to. Perhaps direct mindful practices or physical exercise need to be picked up in order to improve our mood.

💡 By the way : If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Overall, we have seen that happiness does indeed depend on our attitude, and that it is entirely possible to change our attitude through a number of means. As with all things, it’s a matter of determining what means will work for us.

Mental health blogger with a passion for learning ways to improve wellbeing. I also love to write fantasy, learn about history and play video games. Which I suppose makes me an all-round nerd.

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Psychologenie

3 Types of Attitudes Perfectly Explained from Start to Finish

The term 'attitude' refers to an individual's mental state, which is based on his/her beliefs or value system, emotions, and the tendency to act in a certain way. One's attitude reflects how one thinks, feels, and behaves in a given situation.

The term ‘attitude’ refers to an individual’s mental state, which is based on his/her beliefs or value system, emotions, and the tendency to act in a certain way. One’s attitude reflects how one thinks, feels, and behaves in a given situation.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. – Winston Churchill

Attitude can be defined as our response to people, places, things, or events in life. It can be referred to as a person’s viewpoint, mindset, beliefs, etc. Our attitude towards people, places, things, or situations determines the choices that we make. Attitude is composed of three components, which include cognitive component, affective/emotional component, and behavioral component. Basically, the cognitive component is based on the information or knowledge, whereas affective component is based on the feelings. The behavioral component reflects how the attitude affects the way we act or behave.

For instance, in case of a person who is scared of an injection or a needle, the cognitive component might be the fact that an injection would hurt. On the other hand, the affective component would be the feeling that he/she is scared of injection. The behavioral component would be that the person would completely avoid getting an injection or scream at the sight of one. So, an attitude is essentially like an evaluative statement that is either positive or negative depending on the degree of like or dislike for the matter in question.

Types of Attitudes

Positive attitude.

Individuals who have a positive attitude will pay attention to the good, rather than bad in people, situations, events, etc. They will not consider a mistake or failure as a hurdle, but as an opportunity. They learn from mistakes, and move forward in life.

~ Confidence ~ Optimism ~ Cheerfulness/Happiness ~ Sincerity ~ Sense of responsibility ~ Flexibility ~ Determination ~ Reliability ~ Tolerance ~ Willingness to adapt ~ Humility ~ Diligence

Negative Attitude

People with a negative attitude ignore the good, and pay attention to the bad in people, situations, events, etc. Also, they are likely to complain about changes, rather than adapting to the changing environment. Also, they might blame their failure on others.

~ Anger ~ Hatred ~ Pessimism ~ Frustration ~ Doubt ~ Resentment ~ Jealousy ~ Inferiority

Neutral Attitude

People with a neutral attitude don’t give enough importance to situations or events. They ignore the problem, leaving it for someone else to solve. Also, they don’t feel the need to change. Their traits include:

~ Complacence ~ Indifference ~ Detachment ~ Feeling of being disconnected ~ Unemotional

It must be noted that there is a very thin line between personality traits and attitude. While the former are more rigid and permanent, the latter may change with different situations and experiences in life. So, attitudes are learned and acquired. Also, attitude could be explicit or implicit. Attitude at an unconscious level that might be unknown to us, and is formed involuntarily is referred to as implicit attitude. On the other hand, explicit attitude refers to the attitude at a conscious level. Implicit attitude might be attributed to past experiences or influences.

It must be noted that one’s behavior might not always reflect one’s attitude. However, studies have suggested that people might change their behavior, if the inconsistencies between their beliefs and behavior are pointed out to them. In general, a positive attitude is most likely to have a good effect on one’s behavior.

Attitudes are formed over the years by various means. Sometimes, they are based on our experiences. At times, they might be acquired from other people. Our attitude might be based on the truth, or what we might consider to be the truth. It is possible for people to change their attitude. For that, one would need to change the way he/she thinks, feels, or behaves. However, changing the way one feels is not that easy. The affective component of attitude is powerful and difficult to control. Hence, one should first make an effort to change the cognitive (thinking) and behavioral component.

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The Components of Attitude

Formation of an Attitude and How It Can Be Changed

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Overview of Attitude

Attitude formation, attitudes impact on behavior, why attitudes change.

In psychology, an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, thing, or event. Attitude can also be described as the way we evaluate something or someone. For example, we tend to respond positively or negatively about certain subjects.

We can summarize the main components of attitude which are a collection of our thoughts, feelings, and actions in a given scenario. They are formed as a result of our life experiences, upbringing, education, and social influences.

Our positive and negative attitudes can have a powerful influence on our behavior in various situations. While attitudes are often enduring, they can also change. Read on to discover more about the formation of attitudes and what factors are required for a change of heart .

Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell 

To understand the meaning of attitudes, it can be helpful to look at a few different examples. Consider what your attitude is about the following:

• The death penalty
• Which political party does a better job of running the country
• Whether prayer should be allowed in schools
• Whether violence on television should be regulated

Chances are that you probably have fairly strong opinions on these and other similar topics. You've developed a passionate inner response about such issues, which can influence how you feel, what you do, and how you interact with people.

Attitudes are an important topic of study within the field of social psychology . But what exactly is an attitude? How does it develop? 

How Psychologists Define Attitudes

Psychologists define attitudes as a learned tendency to view and judge things in a certain way. This can include an evaluation of people, issues, objects, policies, or events. It is an umbrella term that consists of our opinions, emotions, perceptions, beliefs, expectations, values, and intentions.

Such dispositions are often positive or negative, but they can also be uncertain or neutral at times. For example, you might have mixed feelings about a particular person or issue.

Researchers also suggest that there are three main dimensions that make up our attitudes. The components of attitudes are sometimes referred to as the ABC's of attitude.

3 Components of Attitude

• Affective Component:  How the object, person, issue, or event makes you feel.
• Behavioral Component:  How you respond to someone or something that elicits a set of feelings and beliefs. This can be a verbal or a physical response.
• Cognitive Component:  Your perception, ideas, and beliefs about the subject matter.

Attitudes can also be explicit and implicit.

• Explicit attitudes are those that we are consciously aware of and that clearly influence our emotional and behavioral reactions.
• Implicit attitudes are unconscious but still impact our emotions and behaviors.

Several factors can influence how and why attitudes form, including:

Attitudes form directly as a result of personal experience with people, situations, objects, and ideologies. For example, you may experience a social interaction in a favorable way and form a positive attitude about that person, family, or group. On the other hand, you may have an unpleasant encounter that influences an unfavorable attitude.

Attitudes can be learned in a variety of ways.

• Classical Conditioning : Consider how advertisers use classical conditioning to influence your attitude toward a particular product. In a television commercial, you see young, beautiful people having fun on a tropical beach while enjoying a sports drink. This attractive and appealing imagery causes you to develop a positive association with this particular beverage.
• Operant conditioning : Consider how rewards and punishments can influence our attitudes (known as operant conditioning ). Imagine a young man who has just started smoking. Whenever he lights up a cigarette, people complain, chastise him, and ask him to leave their vicinity. This negative feedback from those around him eventually causes him to develop an unfavorable opinion of smoking and he decides to give up the habit.
• Observational learning : Finally, people learn attitudes by observing people around them. When someone you admire greatly espouses a particular attitude, you are more likely to develop the same beliefs. For example, children spend a great deal of time observing the attitudes of their parents and usually begin to demonstrate similar outlooks. In addition, social media is having a profound influence on our attitudes as we are exposed to a variety of social media influencers.

Social and Cultural Factors

Social roles and cultural norms can have a strong influence on attitudes. Social roles relate to how people are expected to behave in a particular role or context. Cultural norms involve society's rules for what behaviors are considered appropriate.

Attitudes can form through direct experience, observations, formal education, conditioning processes, and social/cultural factors.

We tend to assume that people behave according to their attitudes. However, social psychologists have found that attitudes and actual behavior are not always perfectly aligned.

After all, plenty of people support a particular candidate or political party yet fail to vote. Some situations may evoke a strong passionate response, but the environment calls for self-control, professionalism, grace, and poise no matter how upset you may feel.

Essentially, people are more likely to behave according to their attitudes under certain conditions mitigated by personal values and social expectations.

Factors Influencing Attitude Strength

• You are an expert on the subject
• You experience something personally
• You expect a favorable outcome
• You stand to lose something due to the issue
• You have passion about the subject
• You are comfortable expressing your opinions

While attitudes can have a powerful effect on behavior, they are not set in stone. The same influences that lead to attitude formation can also create attitude change.

Learning Theory

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning can be used to bring about attitude change.

• Classical conditioning can be used to create positive emotional reactions to an object, person, or event by associating positive feelings with the target object.
• Operant conditioning can be used to strengthen desirable attitudes and weaken undesirable ones.
• People can also change their attitudes after observing the behavior of others.

Elaboration Likelihood Theory

This theory of persuasion suggests that people can alter their attitudes in two ways.

• They can be motivated to listen to an elaborate explanation and think about the message (central route persuasion), thus leading to an attitude shift.
• They might be influenced by the likable characteristics of the speaker (peripheral route persuasion), leading to a temporary or surface shift in attitude.

Messages that are thought-provoking and that appeal to logic are more likely to lead to permanent changes in attitudes.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

In some cases, people may alter their attitudes to better align them with their current behaviors. Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon in which a person experiences psychological distress due to conflicting beliefs and behaviors. To reduce this tension, people may change their attitudes to match their actual behaviors or alter their behavior to be more congruent with their beliefs.

In order to minimize the cognitive dissonance between your conflicting attitude and behavior, you either have to change the attitude or change your actions.

Imagine the following situation: You've always placed a high value on financial security, but you start dating someone very financially unstable. You have two options to reduce the tension caused by conflicting beliefs and behavior. You can end the relationship and seek a more financially secure partner, or you can de-emphasize the importance of fiscal stability and focus on other important character traits instead.

Attitudes are not set in stone and may change when people learn new information, when they are persuaded by influential people, or when they experience discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs.

Final Thoughts

Attitudes play a pivotal role in shaping human behavior, from the choices people make about living their lives to the health behaviors they engage in daily. Understanding where these attitudes come from and how they sometimes change can help you look for ways to improve your attitudes, whether it means adopting a more positive outlook on life or changing your opinion based on new information.

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Jain V. 3D model of attitude . International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences . 2014; 3(3):1-12.

Chaiklin H. Attitudes, behavior, and social practice . The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare : 2011;38(1). doi:10.15453/0191-5096.3583 

American Psychological Association.  Teaching tip sheet: Attitudes and behavior change . 

Perlovsky L.  A challenge to human evolution—cognitive dissonance .  Frontiers in Psychology . 2013;4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00179

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

• DOI: 10.59141/jist.v5i6.1170
• Corpus ID: 271028677

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Pharmacists Towards the Use of Antibiotics: Literature Review

• Rosi Hayyu Anjani , Hidayah Karuniawati
• Published in Jurnal Indonesia Sosial… 30 June 2024

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