How to change your attitude?
What is the power of attitude? Can you change your attitude? How to keep a positive attitude?
My friend and I were driving in the city of Boston a few weeks ago when we hit a traffic jam. Cars started to move slowly 10 mph every a few minutes. The more time has passed, the more my friend got irritated due to the heavy traffic. I looked at my friend and I saw an angry face on his face. On the other hand, I enjoyed the heavy traffic. Yes, believe me I did. It gave me a chance to observe the beautiful buildings in Boston, people walking, shops, and enjoy the nature.
Now my friend and I experienced the same situation at the same time, but the way each one of us viewed the situation is what made the difference in our attitude. He viewed traffic as something annoying and nerve wracking while I viewed traffic jam as something that gives me time to see the beauty of the city of Boston and enjoy nature at the same time. In short, he focused on the negativity of the situation and I focused on the positivity.
See what the power of attitude can do? Do you see how changing your attitude helps you to get peace of mind? Small shift in thinking and in interpreting situations can make a huge difference in how you view circumstances and situations. As I discussed in my book “How to overcome worry and have peace of mind” watching your attitude and the way you view situations on the inside is crucial if you want to have peace of mind and combat anxiety.
How to change your attitude
If your goal is to learn how to change your attitude, then follow the below steps:
1. Be aware of your thoughts
First as with everything else in life, you have to become aware of what thoughts you have in your mind usually. Most people unfortunately are not even aware of what thoughts pop up into their mind, hence the majority are not accustomed to controlling their thoughts. When they don’t control your thoughts, you will not be able to change your attitude.
Just as you are aware of what people you don’t want in your house, you have to become aware of what thoughts you don’t want to let in your mind. Otherwise, your thoughts will control you.
2. Believe
You have to believe that you are in charge of your thoughts and attitude. If you are not in charge of your thoughts and attitude, then who is? If you don’t believe you can control your thoughts, then your attitude won’t change.
Many people believe outer circumstances affect them and that they don’t have a choice on how to respond to obstacles and events in life.
Believe me, as long as you don’t believe that you can control your thoughts, then your outer world will reflect that belief. There is a law of reflection which I will talk about in the coming articles which will show you that what is in your life now based on what is inside of you. As they say, “As within, so without.”
3. Focus on the positive
I mentioned this before, but I will say it again, focusing on the positive and learning to interpret situations in a positive way has helped me improve my attitude dramatically in life. It has helped me overcome negative interpretations that I was excellent at and it made a positive impact in various domains in my life.
Know that you always have a choice on how to respond to situations and if you want to develop a positive thinking attitude, then you must make a choice to focus on the positive.
Always remember to change your thoughts, so you can change your attitude. Change your attitude, so you can change your life.
Have you ever wondered why some people are happy and have peace of mind while others keep worrying? Why do some people’s life filled with worry while others filled with happiness and peace of mind? My e-book How to overcome worry answers those questions and teaches you the scientific ways to control and overcome worry and have peace of mind.
For more information, read:
How to overcome fear of failure?
How to stop being a perfectionist?
Really great information and important topic Dia. I think this is something a lot of people are challenged by. I thought the advice you shared was great and right on point. I particularly appreciated your advice to believe … if you can just do that, everything else will fall into place. Great one.
Sibyl – alternaview recently posted..What You and Charlie Sheen Have In Common
Hi Sibyl,
Yea believing that we can change our attitude if we want to is crucial. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to do it. Believing is an important concept not only in changing our attitude, but in all areas of success as well. Thanks Sibyl
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Changing our attitude will make our lives more peaceful and help us derive the happiness in every moment.
Unnecessary tensions in this racing world have made us to be worry more and more ultimately falling prey to psychological problems and we get into depression. We see even the minute problem with a magnier and create a trouble for ourself.
This post does not only help to change our attitude for the best to deal with problems but also highlights the need to adapt to the cahnging society. We need to move on in life while adjusting to new peopel, circumstances and situations.
Those who are able to do so survive and teh rest perish.
-Ranjith
Ranjith (SR) | A light hearted talk recently posted..Have I achieved the real success- The success I have dreamt of
Hi Ranjith,
Yep, you are right my friend, being in charge of our attitude makes a great difference in our lives as it helps us to avoid unnecessary stress and worry by making a change to the way we think of what is happening and situations. What a great way it is to help us achieve peace of mind. Thanks Ranjith
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Awesome tips my man. I always try my best to focus on the positive. Focusing on the positive makes life so much easier to live day by day. When you focus on the negative it does nothing to help you besides waste valuable energy. About your situation with the traffic jam… I bet you weren’t the one driving and that’s why you were un-annoyed? ( :
God bless,
William Veasley
William Tha Great recently posted..Tips For A Strong Start- How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur
Hi William,
Yea focusing on the positive really makes a great difference. When I started applying this concept into my life, I started experiencing more peace of mind. It has helped me avoid unnecessary tension. In regards to the traffic jam, for this specific instance I wasn’t driving, but often times, even when I’m the driver, I don’t let traffic jam get to me. I try to focus on enjoying my present time by looking at the scenery around me or thinking on my goals. The key for me is not to get annoyed. Thanks William
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Dia,
A slight change in our attitudes can make the impossible possible and the unknown know. Thanks for the reminders provided in these steps.
Alex
Hi Alex,
Exactly my friend, a small change in our attitude can help us stay calm and avoid unwanted anxiety and worry in many situations in our lives. Thanks my friend
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Oh yes Dia, you’ve pointed out a great topic here! Thanks for sharing, it’s always worth reminding ourselves that there’s one thing that we have control over: our thoughts.
Regarding your story in Boston, it’s amazing how many great cities, towns and villages are in our world today, yet people don’t see this because they’re too busy passing through. Even when they aren’t able to move, they’re still intent on passing through. If only they looked outside their narrow intent, and saw the world
Stuart recently posted..Value 101- Part 2
Hi Stuart,
Exactly my friend, if people realize that they can control their thoughts, their lives would be a lot more positive and better. You have raised a great point Stu, instead of focusing on traffic jam, the individual can focus on exploring the scenery and enjoy their time passing through these cities and towns. This is exactly what I did
Thanks Stu
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Hey Dia – Nice points with this one. I never have and probably never will enjoy traffic. I’d rather get to where I’m going and sit in the parking lot than to try in traffic. I know that’s not the point here, but I just had to share that!
Anyway, back on subject…
I think it’s part of our nature as humans to get worked up at some things. But it’s also a part of our nature to be able to see the reality of the situation and make adjustments to our attitude before we allow the negative thoughts to take over our mind.
Great advice Dia.
Thank you!
Jk Allen recently posted..Step Your Game Up- Take Ownership to Elevate Your Results
Hi JK,
Yep for sure we all get affected by some events and situations in life and it is our nature to adapt. The key is if we learn to adapt and change our perception and view of what is happening, especially if it is negative, we can eliminate unwanted and unnecessary stress and worry.
In regards to the traffic, I hear you, but I believe if you explore your surroundings instead, then traffic jam won’t bother you as much. For me it gives me a change to observe and explore
Thanks JK
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Dia,
I do my best to focus on the positive even when the circumstances seem impossible. I just feel that as long as I have hope there is hope. I am a firm believer that it you believe that something is possible there is a greater likelyhood of it coming to pass. Now Dia you are a special man because I can’t even find positivity in traffic. I hate traffic. Hate it!
Frank recently posted..He Fell For It!
loooool The way I see it is why get annoyed over something I have no idea control of? I personally love big cities, so that is why traffic doesn’t bother me at all. It gives me a chance to explore the city more and more. Yea, I agree my friend, if we believe we can change our attitude and control our thoughts, then we can. It all begins with how we view something. Thanks Frank
Dia recently posted..The art of giving
Hello Dia,
Awareness is really big. I know that most of our thoughts are negative (some estimate as high as 90%) due to childhood experiences (family of origin dynamics) but the one that gets me is that a very large percentage of our thoughts are the same thoughts re-cycled from the day before. And consequently you run the risk of sameness in which everyday feels like the previous day. This is a very slippery slope that can lead to depression. So thanks for addressing a very important topic. Wish you the best.
Riley
Riley Harrison recently posted..JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE
Hi Dia, good to write about attitude. A right attitude makes us approach problems from a different aspect and try to get something good out of them. Everything begins from inside our heads. Out thoughts affect are actions and emotions. Looking back into our lives, the memories we have now for events of the past, still bear those feelings we had back then when we were actually experiencing them. So, maintaining a positive attitude now will give a joyful tone in our memories in the future. Apostle Paul says this in one sentence: “Finally, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and if there is any virtue or praise, THINK OF THESE THINGS…and the God of PEACE shall be with you”. All the best!
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Hi Dia,
Yes, we can definitely change our attitude. I must admit that traffic can be challenging when we’re in a hurry. Awareness is the key for me. When I notice that I’m straying from my happiness barometer I know it’s time to change my thoughts and return to my core being. It’s a constant practice but it’s a very rewarding practice. Focus and intention, like you said, are also key ingredients. You got the recipe down.
Thanks for the reminder. Loving blessings
Andrea DeBell @ britetalk recently posted..Awesomeness boot camp- demystifying our fears once and for all
Dia,
It’s so true. Change your thoughts and perceptions and then this will change the way we feel. It’s just as easy to get stressed over a situation as it is to simply allow it to be.
Positive redirection of thoughts always works for the better.
Justin | Mazzastick recently posted..The SandBox
That’s an empowering anecdote, Dia. “Two men look out the same prison bars,
one sees mud and the other stars.” When there is delusion in the human mind, there is suffering in the human condition. Be eager to seek the truth in all situations, be it traffic or spilled milk – it offers no confusion and ends all delusion.
rob white recently posted..The Valley and the Meadow
I’m also a traffic jam jamboree fan Dia as there’s always something to see or catch which can inspire or simply delight me. People feel a delay is always a hold up but why can’t the Universe, God, Allah or whatever spirit force you believe in, be trying to show us something or unlock a deep truth in us via a traffic snarl up, a queue at the bank, or a flight on hold? When humans can see blocks are only in their mind they too might see the beauty of Boston or the joy of nature or even begin the relationship with themselves that, up till now, they had been running away from. If it takes too many cars or not enough bank tellers it still creates the same result; mission accomplished, education beginning. I wish you many more motor messages ahead my friend be they in London or LA or on any street down your way!
John Sherry recently posted..The One Question To Ask Yourself At The End Of Every Day
Hi Dia,
Very nice and interesting topic.You explain it very well that how to change our attitude and I think that one of the most important thing is to be postive.
waterpearls recently posted..NeoStrata Coupon Code
Hi Dia,
This post is terrific. It is so empowering to know and to really understand that we can change our thoughts around anytime we need to. For years I heard about positive thinking, but it took awhile before I really got it. Once I did my life hasn’t been the same. Things are so much easier in my life now because of finding my ability to change my thoughts. Thanks Dia!
Dandy recently posted..From overwhelmed to calm
Hi Dia,
This is really very good and innovative article. Attitude of a person should be positive or else his social life becomes very dull. Also the points listed were very good and well explained too.Thanks for the suggestion.
This is such a wonderful way to view a traffic jam! While I do hate them when I’m in a hurry to get somewhere, I have, more than once, taken advantage of a severe traffic jam to actually catch up on some reading or studying while sitting. It makes the time go by a lot more quickly until you can move along again.
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