Attitude is Everything in the Workplace
In the workplace, it’s easy for one to become disgruntled when they don’t like different aspects like the location, environment, or decisions made by supervisors and leaders. Such an environment creates situations whereby high-performing workers can be seen as problematic. Vital to surviving these environments is the attitude of the worker. Time and time again you hear attitude is everything. This is a fact, an otherwise bad situation can be turned around based on the attitude alone. Attitude determines how one reacts in different situations. Let me tell you about a situation I faced some time ago.
January 1999, I started a new job in Nebraska. It was the first time I would venture beyond a coastal state for an extended period. The new organization had a great vision and was a leader in the market. The people were some of the most professional I had ever worked with, but I sensed the location was not for me from the outset. Four years later when I departed the organization, I did so knowing I would probably not work with another team like this ever again. To this day I keep in touch with many of the people I met in this organization.
How did I manage to survive in an area that I did not like for so and during that time be recognized as a top performer many times?
First, I approached each day with a positive attitude. Some may find it difficult to have a positive attitude when there are things you don’t like about the job, but one’s attitude has a significant impact on how you react in different situations. It comes down to viewing the situations optimistically versus pessimistically. By doing so I was less inclined to react negatively or aggressively.
This brings me to the second characteristic for success in difficult situations.
Find and key in on something you like about the job. When I was able to identify one or more things that make the job worthwhile, I was able to stop focusing on the location. Problems may arise if you find it exceedingly challenging to identify anything positive about the organization, the people, or the work you’re doing. I would always challenge everyone to find one thing positive about the work they do.
By combining these two characteristics I was able to overcome a not liking the area and focus on doing what I liked. I have been able to apply that model many times in the years since. Why do I think this model is so important? Well, if you apply for a new position and the hiring manager or human resource department reaches out to your supervisor you want them to have glowing reviews about you. It’s not so much the answer they give as much as it is the enthusiasm and sincerity in their voice.
Remember, you can change a lot about your situation by adopting a positive attitude. It is said, happiness and enthusiasm is infectious. Don’t let a negative attitude prevent you from achieving your potential. Don’t let a negative attitude keep you from getting opportunities presented to you. Get out of your funk and look for the silver lining in every cloud.