It goes without question that any business intending to thrive will, sooner or later, be forced into making an honest inventory of assets and liabilities. Yet, whether from a business perspective, or in the going concern of a single human life, we often lose track of our most vital product, our own attitudes.
Attitudes, for the most part, dictate the nature and result of our relationships with ourselves, other persons, places, things, concepts and ideas, the world at large, and in the final assessment, the very nature and result of the lives we lead.
It has been said that humans do not have attitudes; their attitudes have them. Our attitudes grow, develop, and often change over a lifetime, based exclusively on what we have learned to believe about the world around us, and all its components.
We make judgements and coping decisions based on what we believe to be true about a given situation or person, seldom considering that our beliefs and attitudes may be unrealistically rigid, or even at fault.
Attitudes - A System of Believing
Think on this. All humans come into this world like a blank sheet of paper, with no knowledge and no beliefs about the people and situations we will encounter. As individuals, everything we believe today to be correct and true, our worldview if you will, is a result of situations we have experienced thus far, and the lessons we have learned from those encounters.
From that lifetime bank of gathered information we develop systems of believing, or patterns of beliefs, that are as unique to each human as is a fingerprint. And needless to say, some people hold their particular belief system to be the only one that is correct and worthwhile.
As a direct outgrowth from our belief system comes our personal attitudes. Whether it be cooperative, neutral, defensive, or aggressive, an attitude is simply an individual's patterned method of understanding and coping with the world, its inhabitants, and all related situations and circumstances.
Killer Attitudes
Hatred and intolerance are attitudes that have spawned warfare and death since a time before history was first written. Yet in a smaller and more personal, yet perhaps more relevant perspective, those attitudes can also condemn an individual to an ongoing inner warfare, a lack of peace within.
Rigid and inflexible beliefs and attitudes often produce a lock-step approach to living, keeping one in a state of constant contention with himself and the world about him. Quashed potential, perpetual discontent, damaged relationships, and personal failure on at least some level, are frequently the sad result.
On the other hand, attitudes of tolerance, acceptance, patience, and cooperation toward self and others can create a satisfying life, great achievement, healthy relationships, and numerous and varied definitions of the word success on all levels of business and personal endeavor.
A life built around flexible and positive attitudes will invariably foster harmony, contentment, productivity, and peace of mind for an individual and all who surround her.
Attitude - Asset or Liability?
It's commonly known that major corporations expend untold billions of dollars annually on public relations advertising, specifically to overcome a common perception that labels them as greedy and heartless.
However large or small, most business concerns will, over time, develop a character or a persona that directly reflects the attitudes of those who have the most influence. Any contrived image that might be overtly displayed is typically of little significance.
The underlying attitude, the real attitude, will be felt and identified by customers and clients. And based upon those feelings and definitions, their own attitudes in fact, they will make their next buying decision.
Attitudes - the Deciding Factor
The final result of any business or personal endeavor will unfold in a direct relation to the beliefs and attitudes injected by individuals. This principle holds true without fail, in corporate board rooms, at front service desks, and at kitchen tables as well.
Fortunately, the power to choose in this aspect has been freely granted to all of humankind. What one believes will ultimately decide her or his own reality. Their attitudes will make it so.
Widely regarded as one of the founders of modern psychology, William James said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind."
Dan B. Cauthron has been involved in direct marketing more than 30 years. He offers FREE No Nonsense Internet Marketing Advice and Tested Tools and Resources at: http://DanBCauthron.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


Lisa was born into a loving Christian family and went... Read More
Any day we wish we can discipline ourselves to change... Read More
EXTREME is not a term usually connected to self-care. Self-care... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 7,... Read More
In life we all have dreams and goals, aspirations to... Read More
"Desire is a tremendous force, and must be directed in... Read More
I am sitting before a window of morning light "losing... Read More
What is the most essential part of your business? You... Read More
What you believe in the inside, to a large extent... Read More
I grew up climbing mountains. Mountains are beautiful and challenging,... Read More
At first glance, when tough times hit, it seems the... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 9,... Read More
Great inspiring people have influenced people in every area of... Read More
God has created human beings to live successfully. He has... Read More
Only twenty years ago, people would casually stroll the neibourhood,... Read More
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in... Read More
Ask any of my kids and they'll tell you immediately... Read More
So often we stop and look at our lives and... Read More
Waking up one day and realizing your world just isn't... Read More
"Is it so small a thing To have enjoy'd the... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 1,... Read More
"How are you doing?" you ask. There's a pause before... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 20,... Read More
Never underestimate the power that comes from following your passion.... Read More
"I would like to pray more. But ... how to... Read More
"Come out of the circle of time and into... Read More
I have a standing interview every Monday morning on a... Read More
What areas of your life are working well? Career? Finances?Relationships?... Read More
Your Spirit is continuously beaming communications to you. As long... Read More
The greatest achievements were obtained by those who took one... Read More
"It`s life Jim but not as we know it." -SpockIn... Read More
After more than thirty years of studying the Bible I... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 4,... Read More


I am sitting before a window of morning light "losing... Read More
Boy, do I feel old. Or at least older.No, I... Read More
Those of you, who can fathom yourselves welcoming and enjoying... Read More
Mark Twain (1835-1910) believed that having fun is important if... Read More
Copyright 2004 Priya Shah A while ago I... Read More
It has been six months since I left the corporate... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 24,... Read More
Have you or do you know someone who has been... Read More
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
The good part of this story is that there is... Read More
It's easy to tell the difference between true inner guidance... Read More
Imagine sitting down in a relaxed setting -- a setting... Read More
"Some people call the still, small voice insight or intuition?Our... Read More
It's no fun being in debt.Money shortages are always stressful... Read More
"The scars you acquire while exercising courage will never make... Read More
In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the... Read More
Is a grudge-laden heart sabotaging your success in business and... Read More
Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any books... Read More
I love to talk about Purposeful Living with others and... Read More
Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 19,... Read More
"In real love you want the other person's good. In... Read More
I sat down to write my weekly humor column, but... Read More
In life we all have dreams and goals, aspirations to... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 24,... Read More
Everyone wants a blue ribbon. Blue. First place. The best.... Read More
(excerpted from Leading an Inspired Life)Pity the man who has... Read More
Everyone wants to be rich. A lot of people want... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 7,... Read More
Financial freedom is not about having enough money to spend... Read More
I really like Jack Dempsey's great one liner: "A champion... Read More
Purpose. What is purpose? Drinking coffee when you wake up... Read More
As I drove home from work late one wintry afternoon,... Read More
Inspirational |