Don’t Let a Negative Attitude Blind You. See the Opportunities!

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

A negative attitude has a huge impact on every aspect of your life, whether you realize it or not. It affected how hard you studied in school, what jobs you applied for, whom you dated, where you live, if you eat junk food, if you exercise, how you dress, the way you speak…are you getting the idea? Every decision, action, and thought is affected by your attitude or outlook. Your very success in life depends on it!

“But I don’t have a negative attitude, Maria”, you might reply. Interestingly, quite often people with a negative outlook can’t see it in themselves. Let me ask you: Have you ever been presented with a great opportunity and you said, “I can’t”, without even thinking it through? If so, this is one of the biggest indicators that you tend toward a negative attitude.

Of course, it’s good to be cautious. But why put limits where there really aren’t any? Successful people look for opportunities! Where one door closes, another one opens. Success depends on seeing these open doors of opportunity and having the courage to walk through them.

Since it’s so easy to be fooled that you don’t have a negative attitude, let’s discuss some subtle ways it can show up. Here are some unexpected symptoms that you may be tending toward the negative…and the “prescriptions” to start the healing process. (Yes, a negative outlook is destructive to you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and if you don’t heal it, your choices in life will hinder your success.)

 

Symptom: You ache to go to bed and stay in bed.

If you’re not excited about what tomorrow brings, it’s definitely a sign that there’s something negative going on.

Rx: The opportunity is that each new day is a clean slate – you get to “write” on it whatever you want. Begin by reminding yourself of things you can be grateful for, prioritize your tasks, and start something new that you can get excited about.

 

Symptom: New opportunities fill you with dread.

If your first thought is “it can’t be done”, that’s a good indicator you’re tending toward the negative.

Rx: Perhaps the problem is you’re overtired and overstressed. This is an opportunity, to take a break and be refreshed physically, emotionally and spiritually, so you can take advantage of the next opportunity.

 

Symptom: You hate your appearance.

Have you ever avoided a function or refused to do something fun, because you weren’t happy with your appearance?

Rx: Take this opportunity to reevaluate what it is that you don’t like (The Wellness Assessment can help) and then do something about it! Learn to accept the things you can’t change, and focus on being a happy. You’ll be surprised at how attractive you look when you have a sunny disposition.

 

Symptom:  You predict the future based on negative past experiences.

The “when I did this before, it didn’t work, so why even try again” attitude is self defeating.

Rx: The opportunity is that you get another shot at it, this time with a new approach that will work.

 

Symptom: You make assumptions that support the negative outlook.
Does this sound familiar? “He hasn’t posted the new schedule on his website, so the course must be canceled this year. I’ll never make my business work now.”

Rx: Don’t assume. Communicate! You have the opportunity to ask if something is available. And if it’s not, then look for something that is.

Symptom: You state your predictions as facts.
Are you prone to dogmatic statements that a negative thing is truth, when in reality it could turn out quite differently?

Rx: There’s always more than one way to look at things. You have the opportunity to develop the ability and flexibility to mindfully look at things dispassionately from all angles.
 

Why not go for a walk right now and think about the past week or month and see if you’ve show any of these symptoms of a negative attitude. If so, be assured that you can form new, positive connections in your brain and get rid of the negative ones.

Please feel free to contact me to schedule an “Unlocking Your Potential” complimentary consultation so we can explore your options. (Hint: This is an opportunity…a door opening. Do you have the courage to go through it? I think you do!)