Attitude is everything Published May 2, 2017 By Chief Master Sgt. Christy Peterson There is nothing more exhilarating than being around people who exude a positive attitude. In life, attitude is everything. It is the lens through which you see the world. It affects the actions you take based on past experiences and now interpret in current situations. It governs the way you perceive the world and the way the world perceives you. It is attitude that can determine how fast you will achieve your goals or how well you will acquire a skill or knowledge. What is attitude anyway? It is the mental state or position you take regarding your life and affairs. This means it’s not what you think but how you think it. Whether you realize it or not, your attitude helps form every event in your life. Out of your attitude comes your enjoyment of life and gratitude for all your successes. Out of your attitude comes your disappointment or annoyance at how things have turned out. Out of attitude comes the feeling that no accomplishment will ever be good enough or that you are not good enough. And the only way that you can begin to recondition your subconscious mind for success is by detaching yourself from the idea that you are your thoughts. Each of us encounters hard times, hurt feelings, heartache, physical or emotional pain. The key is to realize it’s not what happens to you that matters; it’s how you choose to respond. Every day your attitude is challenged by other people and external factors. How will you react? Will you allow adversity to stop you from moving forward and reaching your full potential? Will you allow a negative person to ruin your day, make you lose control, or force you to give up on your dreams? When such temptations come to mind, just ask yourself: Do I want to be happy or miserable? If on any given day, negative drama surrounds you, consider changing your surroundings. If you can’t change your surroundings, hang on to your own positive attitude and don’t let other people drag you down. Usually the best antidote to negativity is simply sending time with positive people. Check the people around you and observe their attitude barometer – is it negative or positive? Typically, people mirror our unconscious feelings and attitudes about life that we, perhaps, are not acknowledging head on. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude! That’s why it’s so important to be particular about who you spend time with. I believe we become what we think about, and who we surround ourselves with strongly influences what we become. So, surround yourself with people that are going to lift you higher. We all have choices. Having a strong, positive and resilient attitude is a choice. All my personal and professional successes has been achieved through having a positive attitude. It is no secret that life seems to reward us most when we approach the world with a positive attitude. One of the most important steps you can take toward achieving your greatest potential in life is to learn to monitor your attitude and understand its impact on your job performance, relationships and the people around you.