Well, I would have to answer that question with . . . “a person’s outlook” is what’s up↑. Especially, if that outlook is backed up with a positive attitude. And, wouldn’t you know that a person’s outlook driven by a positive attitude directly affects a highly sought-after outcome? Simple as that. I could probably just let that settle and soak in a bit without having to go into much more detail in this blog post. But . . .
. . . you know I can’t just stop at one little paragraph. There’s still so much more to discuss.
Have you ever thought about the way you view a matter, affecting your mood, your demeanor, and your actions toward that matter?
I have. I’ve experienced this very phenomenon. And, I’ve seen it played out in others’ lives,as well.
I’ve witnessed several occasions where individuals faced life-and-death health challenges. Health scares that they should never have been able to recover from, according to man’s finite healing abilities through knowledge and application of science and medicine. (Of course, I believe in divine intervention coming into play in these situations.) But, I also observed a very interesting commonality between all of the individuals.
They had a positive attitude about the circumstances they were facing.
Positive Attitude?!
Not a “positive” attitude in the sense that they were “positive” that their health condition was going to take them out. But, positive in the fact that they could overcome this health challenge like so many other obstacles they had faced in life.
I’m a FIRM BELIEVER that your outlook CAN and WILL affect your outcome.
As a matter of fact, when I’m doing my reading coaching with the young readers I tutor, I go into the importance of how they think about the activity of “reading.”
If a student comes to tutoring sessions viewing reading in a negative light, it makes it more difficult for that student to experience the growth he or she needs in reading development. Of course, the negative outlook is accompanied by the sour attitude. Then, lackluster actions will follow, which don’t lead to anything close to productive reading sessions.
And as a result, that student will experience slower movement through fundamental reading skills as well as increasing deficiencies in reading development as he or she gets older and further along in his or her academic journey.
I can tell you right now that negative compounding interest doesn’t lead to positive outcomes. Not for that reader. And, not for anyone who is facing an obstacle, or looking to acquire knowledge or build a skill set, or trying to do hard things.
So, let’s just remember: Positive attitudes help lead to positive outcomes.
Why not be “positive” that you can get to a positive result? Because . . . you know . . . it’s not far-fetched to see some pretty miraculous things happen when you think right. I’ve seen it time and time again. The individual’s mind rises up past the circumstances and helps lift the person out of the daunting reality he or she has been experiencing.
Now, the “lifting the person out of the daunting reality” doesn’t normally just happen by thinking positively. Not usually, anyway. Many times, there is some further action-taking (other than the mind calibration) on the part of the individual in question. Mind AND body are involved.
Something pretty special happens when you think positively. Well, you end up doing positive things. And when you do positive, then you, oftentimes, reap the rewards of the positive action-taking. Even if those rewards seemed virtually impossible in the reality you were once living.
I love how that works. Taking the impossible situation and helping to make it possible by one’s positive attitude about the matter.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve so it SO MANY times before: EVERYTHING STARTS WITH THE MIND! The mindset drives actions. And, actions lead to results.
Therefore, get your mind right. Positively charge it. Your attitude is going to be illuminated by it.
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Phil – I’m the one who should apologize for the delayed response. It was definitely not my intention to be this late in getting back to you. My excuse (and hopefully, it will suffice as a good one) is that my family and I went on a vacation — first one in quite a few years. It was wonderful; but needless to say, I’m playing catch up. So, please forgive me. First of all, maybe it’s not that you’re being “negative.” Maybe it’s that you’re being a very careful deliberator. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. As a matter of fact, it’s really important to weigh the pros against the cons in order to make the best informed decisions possible. Plus, you make such a positive impact over here at Degrees of Maternity. So, it’s hard for me to view you as being negative. You give off positive vibes as far as I’m concerned. I might even have to start calling you “Positive Phil.” Hee. Hee.
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Jana,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but last week has not been anywhere near normal.
Attitude! That is a fascinating subject, and I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts. I have observed determined, yet awkward, negative attitude issues in many students, particularly boys. As you say, it gets them nowhere, but you can’t tell them anything when they are in that frame of mind.
I like your phrase “… that negative compounding interest doesn’t lead to positive outcomes.” I have taught many children the mathematical concept of “compound interest”, but never “negative compound interest”. Your suggestion is indeed real, but I have never thought of it in those words when thinking about attitude.
You may be surprised to know that my family regularly tells me to “stop being so negative”. Now, I will tell you a little secret. When considering any important matter, I always examine the negative aspects of the matter at hand before considering the positive. I will tell you why. As I never jump to an instant positive conclusion as I consider the negatives first. If the negatives are only minor, I then consider the positives. Jumping to conclusions is definitely not my style. There is no need to get all excited about something when there is far more against it than for it. Most people, including my family, do the exact reverse of what I do; therefore, the family comments.
All in all, it works for me and I can’t really see any “negatives” to this process, except, of course, it does not run parallel with what most do. I told you I am somewhat different!
Congratulations on your “attitude” piece.
All the best, Phil
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