10 Key Strategies for Maintaining a Positive Attitude at Work and Home

by Kate Smalley

Published on this site: May 6th, 2006 - See more articles from this month

Having a positive attitude is an important component of business productivity. When we view ourselves positively, we accept who we are and enable ourselves to soar to the greatest heights. But oftentimes, professionals may have the skills and expertise they need to work effectively but negative attitudes undermine their efforts and diminish their results.

Here are 10 essential strategies for maintaining a positive attitude at work and home.

1. Attitude is everything, so avoid negativity. It is the lens that you look through to experience your reality. Take a look at your attitude. Are you negative? Do you color everything with fear or need? How will your life change if you change your attitude?
   
   
2. Treat people with kindness and respect. Everyone that you encounter should be valued and treated with courtesy. Acknowledge that they have feelings and their own perspective on life; they may be different than yours but they are also valid.
   
   
3. Avoid comparison. Constantly comparing yourself keeps the focus on the other person instead of on what you can do, want to do and are good at doing. Look inside and improve from there.
   
   
4. Take responsibility for your work, actions and life. Don't pass the buck. Don't make excuses. Take responsibility; acknowledge a mistake, fix it and learn from it. Don't beat yourself up about the mistake or hang onto past mistakes. Resolve them, own them and move forward. Today.
   
   
5. Adopt a that-doesn't-work-for-me stance. When someone insults or belittles you, keep in mind that your worth comes from you.your being.your true self. They can't change your intrinsic value unless you let them. Make it clear that what they're doing doesn't work for you. Keep your self-confidence and continue to move forward.
   
   
6. Respect other people's time and boundaries. If you are having a bad day, feeling stuck, or you are just enjoying procrastinating, make sure you don't use that as an excuse to waste other people's time or cross their boundaries. Time is the most valuable thing we have.
   
   
7. Make a what-I-have-accomplished list. Too often, people make huge to-do lists and then beat themselves up when they have only accomplished a few things on the list. Each day, keep a specific list of all the things you did and how much time you spent on each thing. You'll know where the day went, can feel good about what you did accomplish and see where you need to focus to get what's most important to you done.
   
   
8. Take notice of the people around you. Acknowledge what co-workers, customers, clients, vendors and other people are contributing and don't take them for granted. Thank them for buying from you, for their help, their value to the relationship and for a job well done.
   
   
9. Enjoy the little things that happen in your day. Relish the compliment someone gave you on the insight you shared at the staff meeting or the big smile the customer gave you when they picked up their order. By recognizing your accomplishments, even if they seem small or routine, you are acknowledging a job well done.
   
   
10. Always come from a positive attitude and perspective and you will feel more in control.

Kate Smalley