Tag: attitude

Setting stretch goals

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Set lofty, stretch goals that are challenging and make you question how you’re going to actually achieve them.

If you ask big questions, you’re forced to come up with big answers.

You don’t have to know every step to get there. But figure out the big steps you think it will take and start with the first step. Figure it out as you go – following the rough outline you laid out and letting your experience and mentors guide you along the way.

Even if you don’t hit your lofty goal, you should have still succeeded in other areas along the way. Swing for the fences and you might still hit a double. But the key is to strive for improvement, don’t strive for perfection. Keep a positive attitude and enjoy the journey.

There’s no better time to be alive

Take time to reflect how free you are and how good your life is. There is no better time to be alive than right now! And the great part is, the same can be said no matter the stage of your life you’re in…

If you’re a kid, playing with your friends, not having to work or pay bills, there is no better time to be alive; if you’re away at college, in a new place, proving that you could do this “adulting” in bits and pieces, staying up late with friends and being out on your own for the first time, there is no better time to be alive; if you just got your first well-paying job after living like a broke college kid for years and you have no idea what to do with this money, there is no better time to be alive; if you just had your first child (or second, third, or fourth children) and they run into your arms after work or make the most precious laugh, there is no better time to be alive; and so it goes on and on.

See the positive in every situation and focus on where you are RIGHT NOW. If you focus too much on the past, it can lead to depression. If you focus too much on the future, it can lead to anxiety. Just focus on the now – there is no better time to be alive.

Effort over (natural) ability

Everyone wants to be extremely talented and to have incredible natural ability. But the reality is that not all of us are blessed with that natural ability. We can’t change that. But what we can change is our effort.

How hard are you willing to work? How much are you willing to sacrifice? Are you determined to make it happen? Do you make a plan and work the plan? Are you intrinsically motivated? Do you work well with others? Do you have a good attitude? Do you show up? Do you follow through with what you say you’ll do?

Your effort in life will play a bigger role than your natural ability. The more effort you give, the more ability you can develop.

Change your attitude to change your life

You get what you look for in life. If you’re grouchy or mad or sad and you just want to be in a bad mood, you can find ways to reinforce those negative thoughts. But if you are positive and “happy go lucky,” if you are always looking for the silver lining, you’ll find that too. Your attitude shapes your perception of the world.

Change your attitude for the better and you’ll change your life for the better.

Listen

Learn to listen. You can’t listen if you’re talking at the same time as the person who you’re supposedly conversing with. You can’t listen if you’re only thinking about what you’re going to say next. For conversation to be meaningful, you need to talk and listen.

Dr. Gary Chapman (author of The 5 Love Languages) writes that “Listening begins with attitude. If I choose to believe every person I encounter has inherent dignity and value, meaning their thoughts and feelings are important, then I am prepared to listen. If I think the world revolves around me, that my ideas are all that counts, then why should I listen to anyone else? Many people don’t have a communication problem; they have an attitude problem.”

We can all work on improving our attitude! Part of having a good attitude includes being generous (not just with money, but also your time), being optimistic (yet realistic), and loving/caring for others.