You’ve heard it before: Attitude is everything. Well, that’s because it is. Twice in the past week, I’ve seen the same “quote of the day” posted in one place or another, the last time by Mark Cuban, who knows something about attitude — and success.
It goes like this: “If anyone is having a bad day, remember that on this day in 1976, Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne sold his 10 percent stake in Apple for $800. Now it’s worth $58,065,210,000.” The actual date was April 12, but it could have been yesterday.
It got me thinking. Whether personally or in business, it can be all too easy to come up with any number of reasons why we shouldn’t feel great about our lives. Maybe you just got up on the wrong side of the bed, or maybe you’re experiencing truly challenging times — and you can’t see a way out.
I’ve come to learn that the choices we make on the path to a positive attitude are the very same ones we make on the path to success. The main differences between successful and unsuccessful people are all about attitude and action. Here are five of my favorite actions that we can all embrace on a daily basis to be successful:
Keep a “to-be” list. It’s not all about what you’ve got “to do.” Ask yourself what and who you want to be. It’s a bigger question, right? It’s easy to get lost in the details of life, but successful people think bigger. Keep an eye out for opportunities that allow you to be who you want to be, and then really go for it. Remember the words of Yoda: “There is no try, only do.”
Compliment the people around you and give them credit for their victories. I always say, when you get the people side of your business and home life right, everything else becomes so much easier. Trust me, a heartfelt compliment says as much about you as it does the recipient. Celebrate success whenever it happens, and whomever it happens for. A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats.
Want others to succeed. It’s about being generous. In addition to giving compliments, always desire the best for other people. Having an “I’ve got your back” attitude lets others know that you’re there for them, and encourages them to be there for you.
Continuously learn and embrace change. Life doesn’t stop. That’s good, because it means change will come your way. The best thing to do is embrace it and make it work for you. Stay open to learning new things and having new experiences, and always be curious.
Be grateful. This might be the most important one. If you’re grateful for everything that comes your way in life — your wife or husband, a great job or maybe just the chance to spend a little bit of time every day doing something that you love — it’s pretty tough to be unhappy. And, happiness and success are perfect partners.
Focus on doing these five things in the next week and see what happens. It’s a great way to flip the switch, and might just send you on a path to doing something you never thought you could.
This article originally appeared in The Tennessean.
