Your Attitude MATTERS!

 This article comes from thoughts I shared on my most recent podcast (access it HERE) on the #TRUTH that, "Your Attitude MATTERS!"

Listen, it doesn't matter WHO you are or WHAT you are doing (job, school, parenting, etc.) the fact remains that the ATTITUDE that YOU CHOOSE (that's right, it's a choice!) will have a HUGE impact on you day, week, month and year. And, if you keep adding that time up it will turn out to be YEARS and you will wonder why your life did not turn out the way you had wished. 

This past week I came across a post on my social media that brought about my decision to do a podcast/blog article on this topic. Without revealing more than the content, here's a picture of the post with some notes that I've made that I'll discuss with you here.

First of all, let me say that, whoever came up with this was someone that had a horrible, negative attitude about work and - my guess would be - pretty much every area of their life. That's just my opinion but it is an opinion based on what I've observed and learned over the years.

 

Now then, on to the information in this graphic. Right off the start - at the top - marked as #1 in my comment box we find someone that feels the need to share what THEY HAVE LEARNED about employment. Key point here: Be CAREFUL who you listen to and take "advice" from. Listen, there is actually SOME good advice found in this graphic such as found in numbers 8 and 12.  Your family IS more important than any job BUT you still have to understand the BALANCE that must come with both. (I could do a whole article just on this point and maybe I will in the future). And, for sure, as is mentioned in #12, it is important to keep your personal life private. But, here's the kicker...this also applies to social media and, my guess is, since this was posted on social media that the author of these thoughts does not apply this advice consistently. 

Notice my notes in my second comment about #4 in the posted list... "Do the bare minimum, or you'll get rewarded  MORE work." Again, this "advice" alone should cause everyone to run in the opposite direction! Oh, I know that this is a common opinion held by many but IT IS POISON to your mind and to ANY POSSIBILITY of you actually improving your situation/position at your work. That's a guarantee!

Again, the attitude exhibited by this point alone, should be enough to see that this person's mind has been poisoned by a negative mindset. However, many times, those who ALSO have their minds "poisoned" by negative attitudes will see this as something that makes sense. And it does...to them. Why? Because this is all they see, hear, taste, touch, smell and consume. 

Side note on #9: "Some of your coworkers secretly hate you." Really? Is this a surprise? It shouldn't be because it's called LIFE! Moving on...

Now in my "3rd comment box"...  The attitude expressed in #4 on the list will GUARANTEE that there will NEVER be any substantial pay increase (#10) AND that there will NEVER be promotions in compensation (#11). 

Here's the thing that so many people (like the one that posted this list) don't seem to understand: Your negative attitude and negative approach to your work will KEEP YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE. That is how it works, friend!

This type of negative attitude will keep you on the "hamster wheel" of frustration and disappointment while you continue to blame anybody and everybody else for your lack of forward progress in your position. Go take a good long look in the mirror at where the problem actually lies...YOU! 

But, here's the GOOD NEWS about all of this: It doesn't have to STAY that way. That's right! YOU have the ability to start making CHANGES in your own attitude and life. It won't be easy because you have likely grown so accustomed to this negative attitude and lifestyle that you may feel that it is even impossible. Always remember this quote that I came up with back in 2009, "As long as there is breath, there is HOPE!"

If you REALLY wish to rid your life of this negative attitude then I have some good news for you! I actually did a series of articles addressing that very thing. It's called "Positive Mindset 101" and it is designed to help you learn how to DEVELOP and MAINTAIN a positive mindset. If you've not done so before, you can begin with the first article in the series by going HERE. 

One last thing to leave you with. I'VE BEEN THERE! Yep! There have been times in my past where I allowed myself to be influenced by others around me that had a stinking attitude (negative attitude) about work and I became miserable! Yes, I turned it around but I just want to make sure you understand that I, too, have struggled with the influence of negative attitudes.

IT'S A CHOICE and it is YOUR choice. My advice: Choose wisely!

Until next time...

Make it an AWESOME day - who else is going to do it for you?

Mike

Future You University   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

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Positive Mindset 101: FORCED Relationships (Dealing With Co-Workers) and CONCLUSION

Click HERE for the podcast episode

Click HERE for the YouTube episode

 In today's post I will take the discussion of the "Mind Fields" that can cause great harm to our desire for a POSITIVE MINDSET and apply them for when we deal with those that we have out of "necessity" (some family like in-laws or step family AND our co-worker and managers/bosses). 

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THOSE SITUATIONS ?

As always, if you have not read the previous articles leading up to this one, you NEED to do so. I mean, it's a series, right? Also, if you really want to benefit from this series, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DONE THE HOMEWORK for the previous articles. Don't want to? That's your choice but, I can tell you even based on that choice, that NOTHING will change in your life in this area. How do I know that? Your decisions in relationship to this "homework" shows your approach to ALL choices and decisions. #TRUTH

So, just as I requested that you in the last article, I want you to write down ALL of the people that fit into the category of "forced relationships" in your life. List them out by name, how much time you spend with them and also rate them from 1 (most negative influence on you) to 10 (most positive influence on you) just as you did in the last assignment. *Note: There is no need to write down EVERY person with which you have contact at work...only those that you MUST spend the most time. Now, of course, even if there is someone that you don't have to spend much time with at work, if they have a profound impact on your - either negative or positive - do include them.

So, again, they could be family members that are "forced" (in-laws, step family, etc.), co-workers, managers/bosses and any others that you may come up with. 

Because you do spend so much time with those "forced relationships" at work (and the same may be true for some of your forced family relationships) it can become very difficult to not allow the negative impact to affect you in a negative way as well. YOU MUST TAKE ACTION if you, indeed, want to improve your mindset and your day even while at work!

With our "relationships by choice" (last article) we can actually make the decision to separate ourselves from those relationships if/when it's necessary BUT it's not always possible to do when it comes to our work environment. So, what do you do then?

 

That's right! In situations like this, you have no other choice but to ADAPT!

What do I mean by that? It's not likely that even your positive influence is going to have an immediate impact on those difficult people at your workplace BUT you can adapt to the fact that it IS difficult and use your creative mindset to figure out a way to approach this situation in a way that WILL bring positive results over time. How?

1. Determine that you will NOT allow others to impact you in a negative way! Yes, easier said than done but make this your MISSION each and every day and then approach your day with that in mind.

2. Determine that YOU will be the THERMOSTAT and not a THERMOMETER (much more on this in an upcoming article). In other words, YOU be the one that "sets the temperature" and don't just "react" to the "negative temperature" set by others. 

3. Be sure to listen to the podcast or watch the video to hear a story I have shared several times before of how my wife did just that with an Assistant Manager that she was told, when she first began working for this company,  to avoid at all costs because this A.M. was so negative.  End result? This A.M. ended up hand knitting a "throw/blanket" for my wife while my wife was there. TRUE STORY!

And, finally, in these "forced relationship" situations, it may be difficult to apply the "Replace and Remove" model talked about in an earlier article. Sure, you could quit your job but, at the same time, if you're not ready and already have a BETTER situation lined up, that may be a bad choice! Also, consider that if you've not implemented what is being talked about in today's article, you WILL run into the same situation at your next job before long. Then what?

Be GENUINE in your adapting and see what begins to happen when your GENUINE POSITIVE MINDSET begins to have a POSITIVE IMPACT on those around you. 

You know what else MIGHT happen (at this job or due to an offer for another position elsewhere)? You may find that those in management have notice your positive influence and see you as an excellent candidate to use that mindset in a higher position working/influencing more people. 

Click HERE for the PODCAST

Click HERE for the VIDEO

Very simply, the concluding podcast and video asks the question: "NOW WHAT?"

You've been given the "roadmap" on how to actually DO SOMETHING to learn how to DEVELOP and MAINTAIN a positive mindset. 

I will say it again: If you've not been committed enough to even do the "homework" that was assigned along the way, then you will not have the commitment needed to actually change your situation. 

It's up to you BUT I still will offer another source of help for you if you will only REACH OUT and HELP ME as I strive to HELP YOU.

Pay attention here: This process that we have gone through applies to ANY and EVERY area of your life! That is the truth. You apply this to your struggle to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can apply this to a struggle you may have with your marriage or any other close relationship that you have. You can apply this to the struggle of feeling "stuck" in and at your job. Yes, you can even apply this to finances. 

What "hits home" for you? What area would you like to be able to "dig a little deeper" on and get even more help and encouragement with to help you succeed? I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU SO THAT I CAN HELP YOU IN THAT AREA!

You can either leave a comment here OR you can contact me directly by sending me an email at:

mike@FutureYouUniversity.com

It may take me a few days to respond but, I promise you that I WILL get back in touch with you. 

Until next time, whatever you do...

 

Make it an AWESOME day - who else is going to do it for you?

Mike

Future You University   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

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POSITIVE MINDSET 101 (The Importance of a POSITIVE Mindset)

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast/watch the video on each one of these topics in this series. You can find the links to them down below.

Some people wonder WHY having a positive mindset matters. As a matter of fact, while doing a recent search on questions that people are asking in this area, that very question came up just about more than any other. WHY does it matter and WHAT DIFFERENCE can it make in a person's life?

Although there's not a "Webster-type" definition of POSITIVE MINDSET since it's two words, I did find some suggested "definitions/descriptions" for it. 

Here's one: "The practice of focusing on the GOOD in ANY given situation." And another: "You are OPTIMISTIC about the world around you, and you EXPECT that good things will happen to you." 

You may even remember the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale using the acrostic, "PMA" which stands for Positive Mental Attitude. That's what we are talking about.

For example, you may have seen or been around someone that just seems to ALWAYS be happy and, that being the case, they spread "joy and happiness" wherever they go! And, at the same time, you've seen people that are just the opposite. Oh, they spread joy and happiness alright, but it's usually when they LEAVE a room!

Which do you want to be? Which do you think describes YOU at this point in your life?

I will do all I can to help you understand the absolute NECESSITY in developing (and MAINTAINING) and positive mindset, but you have to DECIDE - first and foremost - that you actually seek/want that for your life.

Let me just go ahead and tell you: Your life will IMPROVE for the better in EVERY area of your life by dong so...developing and learning to maintain a positive mindset. That's not an over-statement, friend. It is an absolute FACT!

 Let's break that down and look at some definitions. First of all, the word DECIDE: "come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration". Let's break it down even more and look at the word, RESOLUTION: "a firm decision to do or not do something". And then the word, CONSIDERATION: "careful thought, typically over a period of time".

Do you want to know why most people fall short on their "New Year's Resolutions"? It's because they don't fully understand the meaning of the word, "RESOLUTION". Look at it. It's a FIRM decision to either do something (start walking and cutting back on fast food, for example) or NOT do something (stop sitting on the couch eating a bag of chips).  And, it is something that involves CAREFUL THOUGHT, typically over a period of time. In other words, it is not a "half-way" and "off the cuff" thought...it is a FIRM decision!

Even if you don't complete understand this whole thing of "personal development" and "positive mindset", you CAN (and MUST) make a decision to improve your life (and attitude) if, indeed, you desire to actually IMPROVE your life - in ALL areas of your life.  

This is the FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT step! (Let's continue with the next part of this series)...

Part 2: Beware the Mine (MIND) Field

You are likely aware of "land mines" that are hidden in/on the ground with the idea of someone stepping on one and it blowing up causing great injury or death. They are usually connected to those involved in a war but, even at that, there are many times that innocent people (those that have nothing to do with the war) are injured or even killed.

In our discussion of developing and maintaining a POSITIVE MINDSET, I would rename this as a "MIND Field". Think of it as "hidden dangers" that can cause serious injury or even "death" to a person's positive mindset and desire to maintain such a mindset. These are things that can "cause" or "add to" a NEGATIVE mindset and, friend, they are EVERY where (as you will begin to discover in today's episode).

A few weeks ago I did a podcast/video on the topic, "You CAN NOT Change!" (for some reason, I did not do a blog article but you can go to the podcast link and the YouTube link and find it easily). The point of that episode was that you truly CAN NOT change if you approach life with the same old mindset! 

Now, don't miss this point: Your mindset - even if negative - DEFINITELY has an impact on your life (EVERY area of your life). It is simply not a mindset that will bring about positive change and a better future. Get the point yet?

Take a look at this quote by Claude Diamond:

 CHANGE takes time and, usually, it is not easy. That's just the way it is and you need to be aware of that.

Now, let's get to some SPECIFICS and take a look at some things IN YOUR OWN LIVING SPACE that may be "MIND FIELDS" in your own home. Are you ready? Take notes and add your own thoughts to this list.

1. Television: It doesn't matter if you are watching something "live" or if you are watching/steaming movies, etc. A couple of things that you need to do with this...First, actually "log" your time of how much time you spend watching t.v in all forms. I suggest doing this over a period of at least 3 days. Perhaps a day or two during the week (after you get home from your job, for example) AND also over the weekend when you likely spend more time doing so. Don't just log in how much TIME but WHAT the content is of what you allow into your mind/mindset through this avenue. What kind of shows are you watching...what kind of content are you allowing into your mindset? Be HONEST and be SPECIFIC.

2. Music: Yes, we must also log the same information in connection to the music that we listen to on a daily basis. After all, THIS ALSO "feeds" our mind - either positive or negative. Sure, I get it. There is some music that the beat just lifts you up but, what about the message? Again, be HONEST and be SPECIFIC on this one as well. It's kind of like someone trying to lose weight that are having a hard time giving up that ice cream that they are used to having as a "treat" every night. Remember, you must make a FIRM DECISION in what you want. And then...you must ACT UPON that decision.

3. Social Media: (Play ominous music here!) Here's where it may get really tough for you. But, again, follow the same formula for logging your time/content as mentioned above and - once again - you MUST be HONEST and SPECIFIC in order for you to actually understand the impact of these "Mind Fields" in your own home. Who do you "follow" and what kind of content do they share that you "consume"? Is it positive or negative? What about your own posts? Are they full of negative content (griping, complaining, etc.) or are they posts that actually can "lift" or "encourage" those that read?

4. Texting: Most of you probably don't talk on the phone as much as you text. Well, you know the drill by now, right? This one is easy to track unless you delete your texts right away. Go back and take a look (remember, HONEST and SPECIFIC) when you log this information. 

5. What You READ: I don't know how much you read or what avenue you use for your reading. Perhaps you read an actual, physical book or you do so on your phone via an app or even listen to an "audio book".  Just like all of the rest listed above, LOG THE INFORMATION to determine how MUCH information you allow into your mind in this way as well as WHAT TYPE OF CONTENT you allow into your mind. Do I need to say it again? Be HONEST and SPECIFIC if you truly want to make improvement.  

My guess is that you will be SURPRISED at how much TIME you spend consuming this information into you mind/mindset as well as "what kind" of information you are allowing into your mind.

So, PART 1 of your homework is to go through each one of these that I listed and take the time to "log" the time and content as I suggested. Total each category up (perhaps even get an "average" after logging it over a period of several days) and then take a long look at your information that you've gathered.

PART 2 of your homework is to take a look around YOUR surroundings and ADD anything to the list that I may not have covered. Just as you would not want anyone who has the responsibility of discovering and removing actual mines in a mine field to do a "half-way" job and then tell you to walk on through, neither should you desire to approach this task in the same way. IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE in this process!

I would LOVE to hear some of your findings. You can either leave a comment here OR go to my website/Facebook page: www.FutureYouUniversity.com  and leave your comment until the information about this blog article or one of the ones featuring the podcasts and/or video. 

What's next?

In our next article/episode we will look at what we must do once we begin REMOVING these "mines" from our "MIND Field" and what comes next in that process.

We will also begin to look at another area full of those dangerous "MIND Fields" and begin to talk about our RELATIONSHIPS.

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

Make it an AWESOME day - who else is going to do it for you?

Mike

Future You University   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  Leaders Are Readers (Audible Books) $10/mo REAL Opportunity!

 

How to Head into the NEW YEAR...

 Quite hiding in the shadows and "wishing" you had stepped out to live the life of your dreams.

As you head into yet another year - STEP UP and LIVE YOUR DREAM LOUD so that YOU and those AROUND YOU take notice!

 

Until next time...

Whatever you do, always be sure to make it an AWESOME day - who else is going to do it for you?

Mike

Future You University   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  Leaders Are Readers (Audible Books)

CONCLUSI0N: "Taking the Journey: Detours, Delays and Delusions"

Right off I want to encourage you to be sure and listen to the podcast (RSS feed  - iTunes) and/or watch the video on this important conclusion of this series.

There will be MORE information shared in those avenues than will be shared in this short blog article (be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel).

We have really already talked about the DETOURS. I actually thought about concluding this series by talking about how we can actually AVOID IN ADVANCE some of the detours.

Is it possible to avoid some of these in advance? Yes, it is! For example, before heading out to work one might turn on a local news channel to see if they have any traffic reports so that they can plan their route accordingly. Even after they have gotten in their automobile, one might turn to a radio station that has regular traffic updates so that they can continue to be aware of potential detours in advance.

In our personal journey to a better and brighter future it is also possible to know - in advance - of possible situations or people that might cause a detour in that journey. People, places and "things" may cause a detour. People: There may be some people (or groups of people) that you know in advance that you need to AVOID so that their negativity does not slow you down or take you off of your course. Places: Perhaps there are even some places that you need to avoid knowing, in advance, that they may cause a detour. One may even be sitting in front of the television set. Things: Sometimes we can cause our own detours by getting distracted with "things" or "stuff" that we THINK is part of our progress that, in reality, may be nothing more than busy work.

DELAYS 

For this discussion, I consider "detours" as something that we are not necessarily responsible for...something that is pretty much out of our control. However, when I think about DELAYS, I consider these more as something that WE DO have control over. In other words, in this discussion, when it comes to DELAYS, we have no one to "blame" but ourselves. 

These type of delays may come due to over planning or finding all kinds of reasons NOT to get started on this journey... at least not yet. Many times these delays (even the ones I just mentioned) are due to FEAR. This has to do with our mindset in this area. We can literally "scare ourselves into inactivity" and cause unending delays. Yes, it is true, the best way to get rid of this type of fear is to face it and attack it head on.

DILUSIONS 

Example: If you think that you are going to get in your car and drive from Los Angeles to New York City on one tank of gas...you are delusional. If you think that you are going to make the same trip without ANY detours and/or delays, you are also delusional. 

In like manner, if you think that, on your journey to a better and brighter future you will no longer need to "study" and absorb information to keep your positive energy tank filled and fueled, you are being delusional.  

Maybe you are still "early on" in this journey and you haven't really had any delays and/or detours as of yet. BEWARE! To think that you will NOT have any delays and/or detours along your path is a DELUSION! You are kidding yourself and, to be more blunt, you are lying to yourself! Don't listen to and don't believe such a lie.

And, finally, if you think, after listening to a bunch of hype, that (for example) you are going to make a million dollars in six months...you got it, you are delusional! I'm not sure where I first read or heard this but I have always tried to remember it and, yes, I do have to remind myself of this fact from time to time: We often OVER estimate what we can accomplish over the short term and UNDER estimate what we can accomplish over the long term.  

You are in control! Be aware of the possible detours, delays and delusions that may be before you that could cause you to get "off track".

Thanks for joining me and, until next time, whatever you do... 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube

The Key to a Better Future

 

"The major key to your better future is you!" - Jim Rohn

 

 

Jim Rohn. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to hear him speak several times before he passed away. What a blessing and what a powerful man of influence.

The quote and topic for today comes from him and you can read it above. He said that, in this statement, you should emphasize the words "major" and "you" because those are the two words that are most important in the phrase.

I'm going ot give you a link at the end of today's blog article to his actual article on the subject but I want to share my own thoughts on this for now.

One of the things he says in this article (as well as the recordings on this topic) is to write this saying down on a piece of paper and place it somewhere that you will see it every day before you leave out to go about your day.

Before a move several years ago I had this placed right next to the front door so that I'd see it anytime that I left the house. It got put away in a box when we moved and stayed in that same box for several years. About a year ago I found it again and placed it (along with many other such great reminders) on my bulletin board and hung it up in my new "war room". The only problem is that, where it is now placed, I don't see it as easily and, as a result, I forget about it.

Yesterday I was looking over these items - I needed a mindset boost - and saw this familiar piece of paper again and thought, "YES! There's the reminder I need today!" and immediately sat down at my computer and found the graphic above and got my blog set up for me to work on today It was during that search for the graphic that I once again came across the article and even a short video of him talking about this topic.

YOU are the key ingredient in all that you desire!

You've heard me say this over and over again about moving forward in your quest to reach the goals and dreams you've set for yourself. It's a choice and YOU are the one that has to make that choice! No one else can do it for you.

But, it goes beyond that. It IS true that YOU are the only one that can make those choices in your life but YOU are also the key ingredient in what happens along the way.

Go back and read (or re-read) the article from yesterday. LISTEN to it on the podcast (I highly encourage you to do this EVERY day) and understand that YOU are THE reason that "it" WILL work and you WILL succeed!

I'm sure you have looked at people that just seem to have that "something" that causes everything to just "fall in their lap". You may have even called them "lucky" or even "the luckiest person in the world" because of these events.

However, have you ever considered the common denominator in all of those happenings with that person? THEY, themselves, were the common denominator! Maybe, just maybe, they weren't blessed with "luck" (and, really, luck had nothing to do with it) but, instead, they understood the importance of WHO they were and that THEY were the key ingredient to a better future.

That's right....it's YOU friend!

No more excuses, no more blaming this and that. When you realize it's YOU that makes the difference, then you KNOW that you can achieve what you seek because you can handle "you". You can have "control" over this all-important factor. Can't you? SURE YOU CAN!

When you get a chance, read the article by Jim Rohn to get the full impact of what he has to say on the topic.

Don't ever forget that fact: YOU are the MAJOR key to a BETTER future!

And, as you go about your journey, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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