A is for Attitude

A is for Attitude

In this next series of Chooseletters, I’ll be teaching you about the ABCs of Success in Business and in Speaking. We will start at the beginning with the letter A. The A for growing a business or becoming a success is your attitude. Your attitude is something you have a choice about and it is something you can control.

Unfortunately, you cannot control a lot of things about business, especially when growing your own business and working for yourself. Sometimes, different things pop up when you aren’t prepared because it was something you never imagined. You may also feel overwhelmed with rejection at times. Your attitude, however, is something you always control. It is something you can decide before you even get out of bed in the morning.

If you choose to allow your attitude to be based on what happens to you throughout the day, your attitude will be up and down. Ideally, the kind of attitude you’ll have for the day is a positive attitude, no matter what the weather is like, what sort of news you find out, what good or bad things happen. If you choose to be positive, then you have a much better chance of being successful in whatever business you do.

In the speaking profession, in particular, you cannot control how other people feel. The main reason why rejection can feel so harsh to a speaker is because it feels personal. We’re selling us. We don’t have a product or service. We are the product and service. So, when people don’t want us to speak at their conference, we take it personally. This is when you have to decide to have a good attitude anyway. In fact, you have to decide to cheer for the person who was booked when you thought you should have received the job. When you do, it’s amazing what will happen over the long haul.

If you keep a positive attitude no matter what the outcome of your work is, then I believe your work will ultimately pay off. It may not be the first time, maybe not even the fourth time, but eventually it will be your turn. Continue to do the hard work with a positive attitude.

When people see you being positive and encouraging for others who actually got the position you wanted, or got the opportunity you worked so hard for, they’ll remember you. A great attitude reflects well on you, and makes you shine brighter, so the next time someone is looking for upbeat and inspirational content, as well as a great delivery speaker, they’ll choose you.

Thus, if you want to be successful, remember to maintain a positive attitude. No matter what the circumstances are around you, live by choice. With that said, this week, I encourage you to choose positivity and optimism, no matter your circumstances.

What does living your exceptional life look like to you?

Are you typically the kind of person who sees the glass half-full or half-empty and why?

When was the last time you chose a positive attitude and how did it impact the rest of your day?

How can you encourage someone by using your own positive attitude?