Celebrate yourself

and create a new attitude

A positive state of mind is the secret to success

Dallas Business Journal - March 30, 2001   by Jeffrey Gitomer

I'm celebrating. The 10th year for publication of my column has just begun.

Four hundred and sixty eight of them. Wow!

But that's not the celebration. Oh, don't get me wrong -- I'm ecstatic about the event -- and I thank the weekly business papers that publish me. They have helped my career in a way that can- not be measured.

The celebration today is the beginning of my 30th year of having a positive attitude. Oh, I was born happy, but it took me my first 24 years to figure it out.

People ask me the secret of my success. How do I do it?

Both questions have the same answer at their core -- it starts with and is totally dependent on my positive attitude.

Every success I have ever had, and every recovery from failure I have ever made, are directly linked to my positive attitude.

Do you have a positive attitude? Everyone will say yes, but less than one in 100 actually do. That's only 1%. Are you really in the one percentile?

Maybe, but I doubt it.

Got attitude? Most everyone thinks they have a positive attitude, but they don't. Usually, they're not even close. They don't understand the essence of attitude is not a feeling -- it's a self-induced state of mind. You are in complete control of it. You determine what your attitude is. It has nothing to do with what happens to you. It's not about money or success. It is, pure and simple, the way you dedicate yourself to the way you think.

If you're a boss and you come into a meeting yelling, "OK everybody, I want to see some better attitudes around this place," start with your own, Bubba.

Attitude is ruined by minor blame and minor incidents. Grumbling about your fate instead of doing something about it. Not getting your way. Or, "You gave me this cold." Or, "If it weren't for you I'd ..." or, "If I didn't have to ... I would have ..."

Attitude is something you give yourself over time. Day by day. And others can catch it from you. Or not. There is no instant positive attitude -- only instant negative attitude.

Want one? How do you attain a positive attitude?

Here's the lifetime formula:

1. Surround yourself with positive things and positive people.

2. Read and listen to positive books and tapes.

3. Say all things in a positive way. How you can, not why you can't.

4. Believe you can achieve it.

5. Don't listen to others who tell you you're nuts -- they're just jealous.

6. Start now, and work at it every day. Simple, yes, but it takes hard work.

To achieve a positive attitude you must study it, practice the self-discipline of it and live the essence of it every day.

My secret for sustaining it? I read two pages from a positive book every morning -- Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale. And I have listened to the Earl Nightingale recording of "The Strangest Secret" once a month (or more) for the past 30 years. Want to start from the beginning?

Re-read "The Little Engine That Could." It's not a book for a kid. It's a philosophy for a lifetime.

It's about time. If you take the hour a day that you currently waste watching TV and convert it into positive action or learning for yourself, your job, your business or your family, at the end of one year you will have captured more than 15, 24-hour days. Which will help your success more -- 15 days a year watching TV or 15 days a year building your future?

You have a choice.

Here's a quick lesson. When someone blames you, or you make a mistake, don't blame someone else or grovel. Say thanks. Attitude is the difference between "I'm sorry" and "Thank you." It's incredible! Try substituting the words thank you or I appreciate for the words I'm sorry. It will make you a better person, gain the respect of others and lead you closer to the truth.

It also will give you a better attitude about yourself.

Positive attitude is the opportunity. Negative attitude is blaming or dwelling on the obstacle.

Positive attitude is a self-imposed blessing. And it is my greatest hope you discover that truth and bless yourself forever.

Thank you for your loyal readership and support. I hope to serve you another 10 years.