My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » 7 ways to maintain a positive attitude [Ian's Messy Desk]

7 ways to maintain a positive attitude [Ian's Messy Desk]

Last week, someone from the company next door stuck their head in my office and asked, “do you drive the dark blue van parked on the end of the lot?”

I knew right away there was a problem. People don’t go out of their way just to tell you they like the colour of your vehicle. Sure enough, someone had broken into the van by smashing one of the side windows.

I could have worked myself into a knot over this, but it didn’t happen. Why? It wasn’t worth the emotional cost. There was nothing stolen, the van is insured and nobody was hurt. I decided a long time ago that possessions are just things and not important in the big picture of my life. Sure there’s some inconvenience to arranging for repairs; and there’s a financial cost paying the deductible; but neither of those are important enough to ruin a good attitude.

Our attitude is a result of deliberate action. We choose the ways we respond to difficulties in our lives. That’s not to say that some situations are going to be more difficult than others, but there are steps we can take to help maintain a positive attitude.

Know what is important – We often expend emotional energy on things that, if we stopped and thought about them, are not all that important to us. Take time to clarify your personal beliefs and mission. Then, stop worrying about those things that are not important in the overall scheme of your life.
Look after your physical wellbeing – Exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep can all contribute to a good attitude. If you feel good physically, it’s easier to reflect a positive attitude. Even something as simple as a haircut or a new outfit can give a mental boost and help you feel confident.
Give it away – Possibly the best way to build and maintain a good attitude is by sharing with others. I don’t know how many times, at the end of a tough work day, doing something with or for others has boosted my attitude. Whether a choir practice, visiting someone in hospital or having coffee with friends, time spent with others can have a positive impact on my state of mind.
Get rid of the unnecessary – It seems the more complex our lives become, the more ways we have to worry about things going wrong. I’ve known people who become so caught up in their possessions that they never seem to enjoy what they have. Or, those who spend so much time trying to keep up with the neighbours, that they get no pleasure from what they already have. Simplify your life and you’ll find your attitude improving.
Look at the funny side – Humour and attitude are closely related. People with good attitudes tend to have a good sense of humour. Instead of focusing on the loss in a robbery, someone with a good sense of humour phones her husband and says, “ We finally got rid of that ugly lamp your Aunt gave us as a wedding gift!”
Play to your strengths – We all have things that make us feel good. Make regular time for those things. It might be listening to music, reading a book, talking a bath, or going for a walk. Whatever boosts your attitude, make it a part of your routine.
Build your buffers – There are going to be times when things happen that are beyond our own ability to manage. Rather than allowing them to pull us down, turn to outside sources for support. Talking to friends, meeting with a counsellor or a minister, meditation and prayer can all help us through difficult times. Build an external support system.

Chuck Swindoll has this to say about attitude:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude in life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or having skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We can not change the past, we can not change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are all in charge of our attitudes.”

By taking some simple steps, you can determine to maintain a positive attitude.