Developing a Good Attitude

Reviewed Feb 15, 2021

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Summary

  • Remain open and alert to opportunities.
  • Focus on the positive.
  • Brainstorm solutions to problems.
  • Learn from mistakes.

Having a good attitude doesn’t mean being happy all the time. After all, what’s the good of having a positive attitude if all it means is you’re happily walking down the wrong path? Having a good attitude doesn’t mean denying the pain, disappointment and frustrations that are inherent in life. In fact, you need to be attuned to problems so you can make adjustments and adapt or change.

Having a good attitude means looking for solutions, seeing possibilities and staying hopeful about the future. A good attitude leaves you and those around you feeling stronger.

Look for the diamond in the dirt

Attitude decides how we approach everyday life. Is it a drag? Or is it filled with opportunity? Sometimes we think those who have succeeded in life got lucky, but other evidence shows that those “lucky” people stayed open and alert to opportunities. They weren’t looking inward, lost and absorbed in the obstacles. They were looking outward and thus could see possibilities.

Focus on the positive

People with good attitudes focus mainly on the positives. They don’t brush off the problems, but they don’t let them color their overall perception either.

Don’t let negative people drag you down or alter your vision. Draw strength and courage from the positives—those things that are going well in your life. Make a mental list each day of those “good things.”

Seek solutions

When faced with hard times, those with a good attitude seek solutions. They start brainstorming. As the ideas start to flow, energy ignites. In that way, a good attitude is contagious—it invigorates, motivates and inspires. Think of it as a jolt of caffeine for yourself and those around you. Unfortunately, a bad attitude is just as contagious—it can drag you and your associates down. In a negative world, everyone whines and complains that the sky is falling but no one looks for a solution.

If the problem is something that can’t be changed—a death, an incurable illness or something as mundane as the weather—seek creative ways to adjust or, better yet, to thrive, despite the challenges.

Learn from mistakes

People with good attitudes know that trial and error, mistakes and failures are part of life and part of the process of growth and discovery. This, in turn, gives them the strength and courage to learn from their mistakes and to persevere.

While perseverance is part of a good frame of mind, it does come with a caveat. Don’t confuse blind perseverance with creative perseverance. In other words, you don’t want to persevere in making the same mistakes over and over. Persevere in your goals while continuing to learn, adapt and change as needed.

Take action

A person with a good attitude takes action. They're not afraid to take the first step. Or maybe they are afraid, but they do it anyway. Don’t wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration. Start doing and the drive and inspiration will follow.

Develop a positive attitude

Not everyone was born with a positive attitude nor was everyone nurtured in an environment helpful to developing a good attitude. It can be learned and, with practice, become a habit. For starters:

  • Every time you think of something that isn’t going well, counter that with a list of the things that are working out.
  • For every problem, brainstorm solutions.
  • Follow through on at least one of those solutions.
  • Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.
  • Stay open to change.
  • Challenge your negative self-talk.
  • Don’t become a fake, but “up” your game in life—dress better, smile more often, make more positive comments.
  • As an experiment, for one day, cut out all negative statements. Notice the different responses you get from people.
  • Surround yourself with positive people and avoid toxic naysayers. 
By Amy Fries

Summary

  • Remain open and alert to opportunities.
  • Focus on the positive.
  • Brainstorm solutions to problems.
  • Learn from mistakes.

Having a good attitude doesn’t mean being happy all the time. After all, what’s the good of having a positive attitude if all it means is you’re happily walking down the wrong path? Having a good attitude doesn’t mean denying the pain, disappointment and frustrations that are inherent in life. In fact, you need to be attuned to problems so you can make adjustments and adapt or change.

Having a good attitude means looking for solutions, seeing possibilities and staying hopeful about the future. A good attitude leaves you and those around you feeling stronger.

Look for the diamond in the dirt

Attitude decides how we approach everyday life. Is it a drag? Or is it filled with opportunity? Sometimes we think those who have succeeded in life got lucky, but other evidence shows that those “lucky” people stayed open and alert to opportunities. They weren’t looking inward, lost and absorbed in the obstacles. They were looking outward and thus could see possibilities.

Focus on the positive

People with good attitudes focus mainly on the positives. They don’t brush off the problems, but they don’t let them color their overall perception either.

Don’t let negative people drag you down or alter your vision. Draw strength and courage from the positives—those things that are going well in your life. Make a mental list each day of those “good things.”

Seek solutions

When faced with hard times, those with a good attitude seek solutions. They start brainstorming. As the ideas start to flow, energy ignites. In that way, a good attitude is contagious—it invigorates, motivates and inspires. Think of it as a jolt of caffeine for yourself and those around you. Unfortunately, a bad attitude is just as contagious—it can drag you and your associates down. In a negative world, everyone whines and complains that the sky is falling but no one looks for a solution.

If the problem is something that can’t be changed—a death, an incurable illness or something as mundane as the weather—seek creative ways to adjust or, better yet, to thrive, despite the challenges.

Learn from mistakes

People with good attitudes know that trial and error, mistakes and failures are part of life and part of the process of growth and discovery. This, in turn, gives them the strength and courage to learn from their mistakes and to persevere.

While perseverance is part of a good frame of mind, it does come with a caveat. Don’t confuse blind perseverance with creative perseverance. In other words, you don’t want to persevere in making the same mistakes over and over. Persevere in your goals while continuing to learn, adapt and change as needed.

Take action

A person with a good attitude takes action. They're not afraid to take the first step. Or maybe they are afraid, but they do it anyway. Don’t wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration. Start doing and the drive and inspiration will follow.

Develop a positive attitude

Not everyone was born with a positive attitude nor was everyone nurtured in an environment helpful to developing a good attitude. It can be learned and, with practice, become a habit. For starters:

  • Every time you think of something that isn’t going well, counter that with a list of the things that are working out.
  • For every problem, brainstorm solutions.
  • Follow through on at least one of those solutions.
  • Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.
  • Stay open to change.
  • Challenge your negative self-talk.
  • Don’t become a fake, but “up” your game in life—dress better, smile more often, make more positive comments.
  • As an experiment, for one day, cut out all negative statements. Notice the different responses you get from people.
  • Surround yourself with positive people and avoid toxic naysayers. 
By Amy Fries

Summary

  • Remain open and alert to opportunities.
  • Focus on the positive.
  • Brainstorm solutions to problems.
  • Learn from mistakes.

Having a good attitude doesn’t mean being happy all the time. After all, what’s the good of having a positive attitude if all it means is you’re happily walking down the wrong path? Having a good attitude doesn’t mean denying the pain, disappointment and frustrations that are inherent in life. In fact, you need to be attuned to problems so you can make adjustments and adapt or change.

Having a good attitude means looking for solutions, seeing possibilities and staying hopeful about the future. A good attitude leaves you and those around you feeling stronger.

Look for the diamond in the dirt

Attitude decides how we approach everyday life. Is it a drag? Or is it filled with opportunity? Sometimes we think those who have succeeded in life got lucky, but other evidence shows that those “lucky” people stayed open and alert to opportunities. They weren’t looking inward, lost and absorbed in the obstacles. They were looking outward and thus could see possibilities.

Focus on the positive

People with good attitudes focus mainly on the positives. They don’t brush off the problems, but they don’t let them color their overall perception either.

Don’t let negative people drag you down or alter your vision. Draw strength and courage from the positives—those things that are going well in your life. Make a mental list each day of those “good things.”

Seek solutions

When faced with hard times, those with a good attitude seek solutions. They start brainstorming. As the ideas start to flow, energy ignites. In that way, a good attitude is contagious—it invigorates, motivates and inspires. Think of it as a jolt of caffeine for yourself and those around you. Unfortunately, a bad attitude is just as contagious—it can drag you and your associates down. In a negative world, everyone whines and complains that the sky is falling but no one looks for a solution.

If the problem is something that can’t be changed—a death, an incurable illness or something as mundane as the weather—seek creative ways to adjust or, better yet, to thrive, despite the challenges.

Learn from mistakes

People with good attitudes know that trial and error, mistakes and failures are part of life and part of the process of growth and discovery. This, in turn, gives them the strength and courage to learn from their mistakes and to persevere.

While perseverance is part of a good frame of mind, it does come with a caveat. Don’t confuse blind perseverance with creative perseverance. In other words, you don’t want to persevere in making the same mistakes over and over. Persevere in your goals while continuing to learn, adapt and change as needed.

Take action

A person with a good attitude takes action. They're not afraid to take the first step. Or maybe they are afraid, but they do it anyway. Don’t wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration. Start doing and the drive and inspiration will follow.

Develop a positive attitude

Not everyone was born with a positive attitude nor was everyone nurtured in an environment helpful to developing a good attitude. It can be learned and, with practice, become a habit. For starters:

  • Every time you think of something that isn’t going well, counter that with a list of the things that are working out.
  • For every problem, brainstorm solutions.
  • Follow through on at least one of those solutions.
  • Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.
  • Stay open to change.
  • Challenge your negative self-talk.
  • Don’t become a fake, but “up” your game in life—dress better, smile more often, make more positive comments.
  • As an experiment, for one day, cut out all negative statements. Notice the different responses you get from people.
  • Surround yourself with positive people and avoid toxic naysayers. 
By Amy Fries

The information provided on the Achieve Solutions site, including, but not limited to, articles, assessments, and other general information, is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, health care, psychiatric, psychological, or behavioral health care advice. Nothing contained on the Achieve Solutions site is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care professional. Please direct questions regarding the operation of the Achieve Solutions site to Web Feedback. If you have concerns about your health, please contact your health care provider.  ©Carelon Behavioral Health

 

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