Check Your Attitudes

“A happy life is lived deliberately.” Dr. David Viscott.

One factor that affects your happiness is your attitude. Your attitude, a fixed but changeable way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, can significantly shape your perspective on life. The strength of your attitude toward someone or something influences how long that attitude lasts, resists change, impacts thinking, and guides behavior.

Reflection: What attitudes get in your way?

Shifting Perspectives

Reshaping your attitude requires a shift in perspective that encourages change and prioritizes growth. You must continue to grow regardless of the challenges that come your way. One way to do this is to learn to face negative feelings directly, which are usually fleeting. When you hide from your negative emotions, they can snowball into negative attitudes. This can lead to losing direction and living by negative expectations.

So, when you are unhappy, it may be easy to justify your negative feelings and distort your outlook on life. This negativity can create a cycle in which unhappiness leads to more negative thinking, making it difficult to escape. Recognizing these patterns is essential for fostering a brighter outlook on life.

Relationships and Social Connections 

Your attitude is shaped not only by your internal thoughts but also by your relationships. Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people can enhance your outlook. Close relationships that offer encouragement and understanding significantly boost our attitudes, leading to greater happiness and emotional stability. Investing time to strengthen these connections can yield valuable returns in our happiness levels.

You did not develop a negative attitude overnight; therefore, changing your mindset to be more optimistic will require patience and learning to show yourself grace in challenging moments.

Reflection: Consider the situations where your attitude worsened things. How much better could those scenarios have been with a more positive attitude?  

A positive attitude can significantly enhance your well-being. When you learn and practice maintaining an optimistic outlook, you tend to be more resilient, effectively bouncing back from setbacks. For instance, research shows hopeful people are more likely to cope with stressful events. Concentrating on what you can control and practicing gratitude can cultivate happiness even during tough times. Simple actions like setting positive daily intentions can lead to noticeable changes in how we perceive our daily lives.

Remember: your attitude plays a vital role in your happiness.

Empowering Minds. Inspiring Lives.