Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." A person's attitude is her general disposition, an inclination toward ways of thinking and feeling that color her view of the world. Attitude may not be the only thing that matters in life, but it plays an important role in daily living. The frame of mind that you carry into any situation will tell you what to focus on and what to ignore. This is why a bad day often gets worse, while good feelings make everything seem better. Attitudes are also habitual. The more you practice maintaining a positive outlook today, the easier it becomes for you to find opportunities for the future.
Gratitude
Oscar Wilde, 19th-century Irish writer, advised that "If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want." Appreciating what you already have removes your attention from what is going wrong in life and, instead, places you in a state of peaceful acceptance. Often, an individual's attitude reflects the divide between what he wishes for and what he expects to be. Being thankful allows you to be present and to recognize the value of each moment. Placing your attention on the good that already exists encourages you to consider that which you can potentially create.
Internal Dialogue
Become aware of what you say when you talk to yourself. A person's habitual self-talk helps shape the way she sees herself and her surroundings. Negative attitudes can often be traced back to words and phrases that, automatically, pop into mind when approaching certain circumstances or tasks. Practice speaking to yourself in a manner consistent with an attitude and beliefs that support your intentions. While doing this might feel uncomfortable at first, it will become second nature over time. By changing the words you most frequently use, you can develop a new, and more empowering, outlook on life.
Modeling
Modeling is the act of emulating the behavior and thought processes of those who have already achieved what you desire. Find role models who demonstrate an application of the attitude that you wish to take on. Notice how they act, walk, talk and dress. What philosophies on life do they share? How do they treat themselves and others? Do the things that a person who has the attitude you desire would do, even when it feels uncomfortable. Remember that there is no growth without discomfort. The ways in which it is easiest for you to think and behave right now are the ones that support the exact attitude and circumstances that you have achieved until this moment. However, by "standing on the shoulders" of another's experience, you can accelerate your transformation and gain access to a "new you."
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