
Hello Friday - June 15, 2018

Happy Friday 😊 I hope you had a GREAT week and I hope you have a GREAT day as you prepare yourself for the weekend!

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” -Winston Churchill
The dictionary defines attitude as, “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior”. One crucial component that this definition leaves out: attitude is a choice! You always have the power to challenge, choose or change your attitude. This definitely does not mean that you will not experience difficult moments or have difficult experiences. Making a choice to respond in a healthy way, with a healthy approach and a healthy attitude, will definitely change the outcomes and experiences for you and all involved with you.
Healthy attitudes start with awareness. Take notice when a situation arises and you want to react negatively. Before you react, ask yourself: “What is causing these feelings?, What outcome will my reaction produce? Is there any information that I do not have about this scenario?” More often than not, pausing and thinking about the information you have been presented, along with awareness of your attitude, allows you to proceed in a more productive, level-headed manner which, much of the time, results in a better outcome.
Healthy attitudes create opportunity. When you approach a situation with a curious mind and outlook, you become more open to learning, growing, and connecting with others. You have a better chance of being more engaged and having a clear, receptive mind not clouded with negativity, doubt and judgement.

I know that all of this can be easier said than done; but if you think your attitude could use a little “T.L.C.” try doing the following:
Ask for feedback: Check in with people you trust and interact with on a regular basis. What can they share with you about your attitude? What insight can they provide about when you demonstrate a healthy attitude? What are some development areas they suggest?
Challenge negative thinking: When you find yourself in a rut or thinking negatively, turn it around with evidence to the contrary. When you change your thinking, your feelings will follow.
Seek the good in the bad: Take time to focus on what can be learned or gained from a difficult interaction or situation; rather than focusing on the negative situation only.
Stop comparing yourself to others: There will always be someone that excels at something you struggle with or that is in a better or worse situation than you. Comparisons will only breed frustration. Take the opportunity to learn from those around you. Positivity fosters achievement, learning, and growth.
Begin each day with an affirmation about your attitude:When you wake up in the morning, say to yourself: “I choose to have a healthy attitude and outlook today”. You may need to say it multiple times a day or post this affirmation on your wall on particularly difficult days. Every minute of every day, remind yourself that having a healthy attitude is a choice.
As you prepare for the weekend, take the first step and choose a healthy attitude today. When something goes sideways; step back and make the decision to not let it get under your skin, but to learn and grow from it. Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
Have a fantastic weekend and take time to do what makes your soul happy 😊

Take Care!
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