3 Ways to Have a Positive Attitude Amid Failure Attitude creates effects in your life whether you select it or not. Do yourself a favor, pick an attitude that uplifts you.
By Matt Mayberry Edited by Dan Bova
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
This article is an excerpt from Matt Mayberry's new book WINNING PLAYS published by Center Street/Hachette.
Many, many people talk about attitude and especially the "attitude of gratitude." It has become such a normal topic of discussion that few people probably really think about it. I'm not sure how many people actually work on their attitude daily. But trust me, it can make all the difference when it comes to reprogramming your life so you can reap the rewards and gifts of failure. It's important to have an attitude of gratitude and be grateful for everything in your life. Even -- perhaps, especially -- the failures.
How can some people defeat the odds and achieve success? How can some turn major failures into incredible gifts that not only bless themselves but the entire world? Simple. It's the attitude they choose.
Selecting the right attitude.
When our attitude is right, we can achieve maximum results. The right attitude can help us soar to greater heights than ever before and create extraordinary lives and businesses. Likewise, the right attitude can bring out the best in others. That's why I mentioned that we need to interact with people who have positive attitudes because they will help us achieve our best.
Related: This Is What It Means to Embrace Failure
You're probably saying, "This sounds great and all, but how am I ever supposed to have such a positive attitude when everything seems to be going wrong in my life?" I get it. I really do. It's still something I battle with in my own life. Here are three simple ways to help you keep a positive attitude regardless of negative situations or events that present themselves throughout your journey.
1. Make a conscious effort.
Make a deliberate effort to work on your attitude. I always heard about the importance of a great attitude and every football coach I ever had brought it up, but I never really saw the value of it until I hit rock bottom. I struggled so much to keep a positive and encouraging attitude amidst the failure and hard times, but that all changed when I finally made a conscious effort to improve my attitude despite what was going on in my life. Nothing will change if you don't change. Don't let circumstances or misfortunes dictate your attitude. Decide today to build up your attitude and attract the right kind of people into your life from here on out.
2. Create an affirmation card.
Writing an attitude affirmation card can be a total game changer for you when you're rewiring and reprogramming your thinking. You can create an attitude shift for the better. I have always reaped tremendous benefits of "speaking things into existence" by repeating affirmations over and over, and the same goes for when I needed a change in my own attitude.
Related: Why Affirmations Have Failed You and 4 Steps to Change That
When I wanted a Division I college scholarship, I wrote and recited every day, "I will receive a Division I scholarship," and I eventually started to believe it. Simply take out an index card and describe the exact type of attitude you want to possess. You can write something like, "I (your name) am an honest, loving, and hardworking individual. I have a positive attitude, and I build up others and let my words radiate encouragement and success. No matter what happens in life, my attitude will never be sour and negative." This is just an example to help get you started, but you get the idea. We need to rewire and reprogram our thinking and declare the exact type of attitude we want. If we don't, it will be extremely hard to change our attitude when we experience a failure or a setback.
3. See goodness.
Most poor attitudes stem from your perception of something, so start to look for the good in everyone and everything you come in contact with. If you look for the positive, your attitude will reflect that. An amazing transformation takes place when you see the good in everyone and everything, even failure.
Related: How to Recognize the Good in Every Situation Without Kidding Yourself
Don't let a poor attitude be the reason why you stay in a mediocre state forever and why you never fulfill your potential.
