If you hang around many personal development sites you will quickly discover that being positive is often touted as the answer to most of life’s difficulties.
NOT TRUE!
While it’s certainly important to remain positive about things as a general attitude, it’s not always the right attitude.
I was recently speaking with a friend about his job. He’s enduring a dead end job, going no-where but he tells me he’s trying to keep a positive attitude. In this case his positive attitude is hurting his future. He really needs to get mad about where he is at and make some changes.
A positive attitude could be keeping you from the right attitude.
The right attitude is whatever attitude gets you moving in the right direction and doing the right things.
Sometimes you need to get mad about something and make a change. Sometimes you need to realize that what’s going on "sucks" and needs to be different.
Some of the greatest reformers in history were not positive about what they saw… SO THEY CHANGED IT!
If being positive keeps you from being successful, then you are DISTRACTED.
Is your positive attitude keeping you from change? Is being positive about your situation keeping you in it when you need to get out of it? What do you think? Let’s talk!
BTW, posting has been slow because I’m busy trying to meet Aaron Potts challenge. I’m going to do it!
#1 by Vivienne Quek on Jul 10, 2007 - 2:08 am
Yeah … finally heard someone who believed that a positive attitude may not be a right attitude. Staying positive and hoping not to get beaten in a shark infested water is not a right attitude. We should bow out gracefully should a situation calls for it.
#2 by Aaron M. Potts on Jul 10, 2007 - 5:46 am
Dave,
There is a saying that I like to use that certainly backs up what you said in this post:
“Being positive does not mean being unrealistic.”
You can (and should) have the best possible attitude about any given situation, but sometimes the “best” attitude is one that is fueled by you improving (or even saving) your own life.
Slapping a smile on your face won’t always be enough. However, once you do what needs to be done in order to make things better for yourself, then you’ll have a lot more to smile ABOUT!
p.s. – Very glad to hear that you are working hard towards your Challenge goals! Looking forward to hearing about your success!
#3 by LaurenMarie on Jul 10, 2007 - 11:26 am
I am in the same situation as your friend, Dave! I have decided to job hunt, but at the same time I want to remain open to learning new things and appreciating certain aspects of my current job. I don’t want to infect my co-workers with a negative attitude, but I’m also of a mindset that I need a more challenging position that this company cannot provide me. I’m appreciative of the experience I’ve received and the opportunities I’ve had, but it is now time to move on.
I like what Aaron said about the best attitude as opposed to a strictly positive one.
#4 by DaveOlson on Jul 10, 2007 - 6:00 pm
Aaron… You are sooo right! The best attitude is the one that fuels improvement in your or someone else’s life.
Vivienne… I think I will just stay out of shark infested water… thank you.
LaurenMarie… change jobs! There is a better one out there for you. Designed just for you and your talents. Go for it girl!