Attitude is Everything, Tips on Staying Positive

   Life can be tough, and everyone at one time or another needs a helping hand.  At times, we cannot control the stress that comes into our lives, but we can control our reaction to it.  How you THINK about stress matters. Do you view stress as a challenge or a threat to your well-being? Stress is neutral – neither good or bad. Today’s DO-IT-ALL CULTURE has created a new AGE OF ANXIETY. One key to dealing with stress = positive relationships. If need be, stop, and ask for help! Another tip is to avoid striving for perfection, rather pursue excellence. Perfection and stress-free living are both non-existent. Always look at the facts. Don’t try to get rid of stress, learn to deal with stress better. Your personal philosophy/creedo/motto/mission statement is necessary to carry you through times of stress.

    Dealing with stress productively allows you to operate at your PEAK PERFORMANCE STATE. Find a way to recover– have reminders of past success, failing doesn’t make you a failure, it’s an event not an identity, rack up some small wins, and reach out to your family and friends in your times of need.

    Also, for some of us, home can be more stressful than work. Clarity around what we want is directly related to being thankful for what we already have. Have an attitude of gratitude!

    Most people that know me would probably describe me as an optimist. I do not think this is the case. I’ve always thought of myself as more of a realist that thinks positively. What is the difference between a positive realist and an optimist? 

    An optimist to me never thinks it’s ever going to rain, whereas, the positive realist prepares for both rain and sun, and plans accordingly. However, no matter what the circumstances, the positive realist adjusts his/her sails and his/her plan and follows through with a positive attitude. The glass is always, always half-full.

    Attitude is everything. Don’t give up. Quitting is for losers. Winners never quit anything. Learning from the past is different than dwelling in the past. This helps your decision-making for the future. Being positive helps you to see things more clearly. Most importantly, STAY POSITIVE! Chronic anger is not healthy for you or those around you.

    Don’t miss out at using lunch time as a great opportunity to decompress, share stories with friends, celebrate birthdays/anniversaries and keep things light. My lunches with friends and family have really helped me lighten up and refocus in some stressful situations. Business is absolutely a team sport. If you surround yourself with good, hopeful, confident people, you’ll have more FUN. Avoid the sarcasm and “snarkiness” and gossip – it’s toxic.

    Somewhere over the last few years, it has become some kind of weird badge of honor for people to work through lunch every day, stay late consistently, be on-line 24/7, and work most weekends. Is it necessary at times? Sure – it can be in certain circumstances. The problem is a lot of hard-working, well-intentioned individuals have become caught up in making this now the new normal.

    Lastly, remind yourself that your inbox will never be empty, and your to-do list is never going to be completely done. We stay up late, we get up early, work on mundane tasks without living in the present. That’s what “being there” is all about – dealing with the present moment, situation, person you’re talking to. We beat ourselves up. Most of us postpone having FUN until our to-do list is done. Of course, it never will be.