In my opinion, "Success" is two parts attitude, one part skill. Accomplishing a skill is fairly easy: you find out how to do something, and then practice until you have it down. Maintaining a positive attitude in the face of difficulty, however, is much more difficult.
Most people start out with a positive attitude when striving to accomplish a goal. But somewhere along the way, when obstacles appear and forward movement slows to a crawl, a person's attitude will make all the difference between success and failure.
Not only does a positive attitude directly affect one's success, research has also proven that people live longer and are happier through regular positive thinking. An article on the Mayo Clinic's website states: "Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
• Decreased negative stress
• Greater resistance to catching the common cold
• A sense of well-being and improved health
• Reduced risk of coronary artery disease
• Easier breathing if you have certain lung diseases, such as emphysema
• Improved coping ability for women with high-risk pregnancies
• Better coping skills during hardships
It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. But one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body." (Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009).
Take some time today to do an attitude check. Think about your life over the past three months. How often was your attitude positive? Were you able to maintain that positive attitude even in the face of difficulty? How did your attitude affect everyone around you? What affects has your attitude had on your physical health?
The answers to those questions are important. Spend a few moments really being honest with yourself. Once you are clear in how your attitude has been affecting your goals, the people around you, and your mental and physical health, make a commitment to implement a plan to improve your attitude however you need to this year in order develop a foundation for success in 2009.
Have a wonderful day, and remember to keep your eyes open for all the exciting possibilities within and around you!
Kris Cavanaugh, of Transformation Journeys, is a certified coach. Kris provides life coaching services for mid to senior-level professionals who are stuck or overwhelmed and want to take back control of their lives. Unlike most life coaches, Kris employs a very business-like, strategic planning approach and structure that empowers them with the ability to quickly move forward through difficult obstacles to achieve their goals and life visions more easily and consistently. Kris' clients experience a higher quality of life by the end of her coaching program, allowing them to gain a deeper sense of well-being and satisfaction in every area of their life. To receive a FREE "Living Your Life On Purpose" email series or to schedule a "Design Your Life" meeting, click on www.transformationjourneys.com or call 404-551-3601. A full biography can be found in the "About Kris" section of her website.
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