Attitude Inventory
OK, pay attention. Here are four key characteristics that ought to be a part of an inventory of your attitude:
Optimistic, Objective, Deliberate, Determined
Optimistic - Optimism is so crucial to a good life. No matter what has happened in the past, the future is still yours to influence. There is a connection between the effort you make today and the success you find tomorrow. Do you usually expect the best or worst in uncertain situations?
Objective - Being honest will help your self-esteem, lower your anxiety levels, and contribute to good personal relationships. One failure does not determine your future or your value as a person. You have to see it for what it is and learn from it, not condemn yourself over it. If you are not willing to look at things for what they are, then you cannot make good decisions. Do you feel you can honestly assess your triumphs and failures or do you allow one failure to make you believe you are hopeless?
Deliberate - If you are being honest with yourself, you recognize some of the behaviors that are holding you back. These behaviors are habits - powerful forms of expectations. It takes a conscious effort to change the habits you have developed over time. You must focus on them. You must create good habits intentionally. Let's pretend that you miss a lot of early classes because you sleep in. It is not enough to simply wish that you would wake up on time for class. Instead, you must sit down and deliberately think of a plan for achieving your goal. Perhaps a new and louder alarm clock is called for. Perhaps two alarms. I guarantee you that you there is some plan that will help you change your bad habits. But you must act on a plan to deliberately change them. The question is: Are you willing to do what it takes to get what you want?
Determined - Where being deliberate means being very intentional about your actions, being determined means being tough-minded about them. There is no point in giving up. Giving up makes you feel like a loser; it makes you feel hopeless. Too many students get to a certain point in a class or studying for a test and say "there is no point in going on." If you don't reach your goals right away, look for another way to achieve them. But never stop moving forward! If you find that you are becoming discouraged or frustrated, then dealing with those feelings becomes part of the challenge. Spend some time deliberately strategizing for getting a better outlook. Better to fall short of your goals as you try your best than never reach them by quitting. Quitting wrecks your self-esteem and prevents you from learning through experiencing life. Do you stick things out to the end or give up easily?
If you are more likely to give up, give in and lack faith in your abilities, maybe it's time to make some changes. Are you more likely to expect a negative outcome from a situation? Do you lack confidence in yourself and your abilities? Maybe it's time for a New Attitude!