How do I become a high flier?

How high do you fly in life?

Do you soar with the eagles or scratch with the chickens?

For me, there’s been a lot of scratching with the chickens.  And, I’d really like to reduce my chicken scratch time and exchange it for some eagle soaring time.  But, that requires me to change.

And, change is hard; it’s difficult.

But, there’s more tough love, bad news coming at me.

The change required is totally within my control.  So, that means if I’m not soaring with the eagles it’s my own fault.  I’m to blame.  I can’t point the finger at anyone else.

But, here’s the good news; it’s the same as the bad news.  The change required is totally within my control!

The change required for me to soar with eagles is this:

Change my attitude!

Change it from negative to positive.  Look for the positive in every situation.  It’s there somewhere, I just have to find it.

And that’s where attitude comes in.  How am I going going to find the positive with a negative attitude?  How am I going to solve a tough problem when my attitude says I’m defeated already?

And guess what?  Nobody can stop me from changing my attitude but me.

Now that’s power.

But, do I use this power appropriately?  Do I use it to soar with eagles?  Or, do I choose to use it to get more chicken scratching time?

Sometimes I make the wrong choice.  I abuse this power and use it to scratch; scratch with the chickens.   What a waste!

Whatever the result, it’s my choice, my fault, my decision, my attitude.

I’ve finally come to realize – after all these years – that I have the freedom, the power, the authority to choose my attitude in any situation.

How do I make use of this power to choose my attitude?

I’ve heard all this before but what does it mean?  How do I put it into play in my life?

Well, for instance, when faced with a tough situation, I can improve my self-talk.  Instead of saying, “I’m afraid.  I can’t make it.  It won’t work.  I’m doomed.”, I could change it to, “I’ll find a way out.  I can make it.  It will work.  I’m getting out of this mess.”

Instead of getting angry over a disaster, I could choose to ask myself, “What can I learn from this?”  Or, “Where’s the seed of equivalent good that will come out of this bad event?”

I generally keep a pretty positive attitude, but I slip up now and again.  Every now and again I scratch with the chickens.

It’s a constant struggle for me to keep my attitude where it needs to be for high altitude soaring.  But, that’s ok.  I just need to keep a positive attitude about my attitude lapses – right?

Time to Re-read a Classic

I have a book that really helps.  It keeps me ontrack.  It’s a classic.

I’ve already read it three times.  Maybe it’s time to read it again.

It’s a book by Napolean Hill.  It’s got a funny – but catchy – title called, Think and Grow Rich.  Have you heard of it?  I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for more high altitude soaring time.

I’m definitely looking for more!

Well, time to stop writing and start reading.  The book is never far from my office desk, so I’ll just turn around now, pick it up, and start reading it again!