A Positive Attitude – Not Optional
By Rhonda Finniss

Have you ever worked with someone who had a bad attitude? You know who I mean. The person exudes negativity. It doesn't matter what happens, something is wrong with it. You would never ask how their weekend was (because you already know it was terrible!). Sure, every office has one of these. I say that a bad attitude is like having mold in your bathroom! Once it's in there, it's virtually impossible to get out!
But… you can overcome the negative villain, and keep your positive attitude in the process. It just is going to take a little bit of effort. Negativity seeps into our subconscious before we even realize it. Many people ask me if just ignoring it will work. Basically, No. Have you ever bought a CD that you listened to over and over again? When you hear one of those songs on the radio, don't you automatically know what song should come next? Did you memorize the order? No. Through repetition we are almost brainwashed to think that way. Commercials are the same way. My dad used to tell me that if I knew my schoolwork as well as I knew the commercials, I'd be a straight A student! I didn't spend time trying to memorize them; I just heard them a million times. And yes, we hear the negativity a million times too without even realizing it; we start thinking that way too.

Here are a few steps that I share when teaching or speaking on attitude, and negativity:	
1.	Your attitude is 100% your responsibility. No one can make you have a bad day - only you can. Don't blame your mood on any other person - ever! The next time you see "Mr. or Ms Negativity" coming down the hall - SMILE! Then think to yourself that you decide if they wreck your day or not - not them.	
2.	Wear an invisible "wet suit". Put on your barrier to negativity. Be prepared before you deal with this person (if you can) and be determined that they will not get under your skin. It can become mind over manner.	
3.	Be aware of "Whine & Cheese Parties". They usually occur in the lunchroom at break or lunch. I used to go to lunch with a group from my department and just listen. They would spend the entire lunch break complaining about what is wrong with the company - as well as specific people. I would go back to my desk and be frustrated and angry at people - that I didn't even know! I needed to stop spending every lunch hour with negative people, so I started creating reasons why I couldn't make it to lunch that day. I never actually confronted them and told them why, but I often would exercise or shop instead of listening to the whining.	
4.	Stop the criticism and negativity dead in its tracks! This is a trick from my "Difficult People" seminar. Regardless of what negative comment they have to say, counter balance it. Examples are "I've never had any problems with Jane" or "I find that department so easy to work with" or "I consider myself fortunate to work for ABC Company." At this point, it doesn't really matter if you agree with what you are saying or not - the point is to defend the invisible party. Mr. or Ms Negativity will stop complaining to you because they don't want to hear the positive - they only want to complain and you are not giving them what they need (a pair of understanding ears). This approach will take about 2-3 weeks to work - and you must be completely consistent. I would say it was the last step necessary, and occasionally drastic, but effective anyway!
	
	I read a survey in the New York Times back in 1995 that surveyed 22,000 companies across the United States. The question they asked was "What is the most important attribute you are looking for in potential employees (regardless of position?)" The number one answer is "Attitude". We must have and keep a positive attitude - it isn't optional!	

		

		
	Read Only Copyright 2000-2002 Used with permission of author. Rhonda Finniss is President of ON THE RIGHT TRACK - Training & Consulting and is available for training and keynote speeches for your organization. Call today at 1-877-213-8608 or e-mail Rhonda@on-the-right-track.com.	

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