Positive Attitude

Positive attitude

There is a population of people who has only enjoyed a modicum of success in their entire life. All their life, they have never relished the sweet taste of success. Often passed over when it comes to job promotions, some of them resign to their fates while some blame it on their lucks. Some of them put the idea of success on a pedestal and choose to believe that success is elusive and will never be attainable. Does this sound like you?

Well, moping and lamenting about your incompetence certainly isn’t going to help inch you toward greatness. Take a page from successful, swagger moguls; they did not become successful overnight and they definitely had their share of trials and tribulations. Setbacks are aplenty in the pursuit of success. Just what exactly tide them over?

A positive attitude. Attitude is the final ingredient in your recipe for success. All the money and resources in the world can only get you so far in life. You can only possess swagger when you adopt a positive mindset. Already think it’s impossible? That’s not helping! Believe it or not, cultivating a positive attitude is as easy as a walk in the park. It is as simple as plastering a smile over your face. You just have to say YES (but tread carefully on that fine line between being positive and being exploited for other’s devious means)!

1) Do not cave in to your worst critic

All of us recognize the inner voice that tramples on us when we’re already down and crushed. It is the same voice that screams at us for succumbing to the temptation of a cake, the folly of a one-night stand and etc. Believe it or not, our worst critics are not our bosses or our loud, pansy gay friends who disparage our fashion faux pas (of whom we love, by the way). We are our own worst critics.

There is a difference between learning from past mistakes and dwelling on them. The latter is a barrage of harsh criticisms upon self, the festering feeling of rancor and not to mention guilt. While it is absolutely normal to be upset with yourself, being emotionally invested in your mistakes does nothing for you. Consequentially, dwelling on past mistakes and eating yourself up will only leave you stranded; you are stuck and you do not know how to move forward.

Learning from past mistakes entails self reflection; finding out the whys that caused the problem and your part in it. A foolish mistake is only one that is made twice. Realize that everyone makes mistake, and everyone, from your unusually well-kept bosses to your seasoned receptionist who boasts of her 120 WMP, has at one point, screwed up in their work. Do not linger in misery; cheer up and move on.

2) Stop comparing yourself to others

You can’t change the girth of your goods or the size of your brassiere measurements (not least the real ones), so stop comparing yourself to others.  When you juxtapose yourself with others, be it your monthly salary or the number of houses you own, only two things come out of it. It is either a self-fulfilling prophecy or a self-destructive route that you take.

If the subject is a lesser image of you, comparing yourself with him can be a very gratifying, but almost pointless experience. Sure, you might be taller, better looking and more experienced, but what you’re doing here is lowering your standards. You become complacent and you settle for less. You might be the ruler in your office, amongst your cliques, but you will never make it once you’re out of your comfort zone.

Constantly pitting yourself against someone of a higher caliber can also affect you in negative ways. You are teetering very carelessly between jealously and envy. With the former, you will constantly be angry at your seemingly less privileged situation. Instead of looking for a way out, you blame all the macro factors for your lack of success. You blame your parents for not being wealthy and influential; you blame your luck, your life and everything else that you have no control over.  After all that finger-pointing, nothing gets done, anyway.

Of course, a little envy can’t hurt. It’s good to have someone you wish to emulate in life; someone you look up to and be the benchmark of success you want to achieve.  Learn from her or get her to share some tips with you if she is willing.

3) Start believing in yourself

Ever wanted to pursue a career switch but find the words of your detractors and inner demons restraining? Do their words suffocate you and make you doubt yourself? Are your hopes and dreams thrown into disarray when someone speaks ill of you? Are your plans easily thwarted by the opinions of others? All of these stem from a lack of self-belief.

Sure, it is a humbling experience and coping with criticism is one way to improve oneself. You can be sure of the outpour of cynicism and relentless belittling of your capabilities. Take what you will of the feedback and unless they’re constructive in nature, pay little heed to them. As swagger people, it is likely that you already have a strong sense of self.

What you lack in, you make up for in some other aspect. You might not be the most intelligible person when it comes to Mathematics, but the paintings you draw are Picasso-exquisite.  In order to believe in yourself, you first need to know your strengths and capitalize on it. If you think you have a talent in an area, chances are the same sentiments have already been echoed and concurred by many.

You just need to make the first step and the rest of the cards will fall in place.