Glenford Smith | The power of attitude
Published:Friday | May 4, 2018 | 12:00 AM
I must say thanks to the writer of the following letter, Barbara A., for her commendation:
"I must commend you for the motivation and encouragement you provide to your readers week after week. I know how important it can be to get that extra boost when you are feeling down and discouraged," she wrote.
"Two years ago, I was unemployed, and things were getting to me. I started to blame others who were ahead of me as if they were the reason for my unemployment. I read your column and two books, and today, I am happily employed, and my attitude is excellent. Thank you most graciously for your column."
It is gratifying that the column has proved beneficial to you. Please continue to read The Sunday Gleaner's Career page, and write in from time to time to tell us how it is helping. I am happy about your job and your new attitude.
You mentioned something that I wish to focus on in this article. It is that word 'attitude'. There is great power in attitude.
In 1986, Earl Nightingale made a motivational record that he called The Magic Word on a series of programmes that he titled Lead the Field. He wrote it after more than 20 years of research into the subject.
He said in that recording: "The experts call it the magic word as far as the results we get in life are concerned, in this or any other language. And that word is 'attitude'. It is our attitude towards life that will determine life's attitude towards us. Let's face the fact honestly that we shape our own lives, and the shapes of them will be determined by our attitudes."
Anecdotally, I've witnessed people come back from the edge of death when the medical profession and people close to them had given them over for dead. My own testimony is that you will have to go through hardship and adversity, but the right attitude will bring you through.
I have noticed that many people love to say they depend upon God when they face the vicissitudes of life. If that works for you, by all means, go ahead and do it. But through personal experience, I have come to depend upon myself, and I commend that to you. When you are desperate for a job, you go ahead and find the best career advisor counsellor, and you try. And you try until you succeed.
In any of a number of situations, regardless of if you feel there is nothing you can do or you feel hopeless, there is something you can do. You may feel as if you are at the mercy of some immutable forces. But find something within your control your thoughts, for instance and put your full energy and enthusiasm behind that.
Sometimes you may be unemployed for long periods, and you may be tempted to give in to self-pity and depression. Be the determiner of your attitude. Control what you think. Your attitude is under your control.
Change your attitude, and you may find that your objective circumstances will not stay the same for very long.
- Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of 'From Problems to Power' and co-author of 'Profile of Excellence'.