Do You Have a Case of “Bad Attitude?”

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Many members of the U.S. Paralympics hockey team are missing both of their legs. They play hockey sitting on a custom dish and single blade and skate with both arms using shortened sticks. It's incredible to watch. This year the team won the gold medal. The goalie, Steve Cash, had a never-before-recorded shutout, blocking 33 goals. As a former athlete, I was blown away, and I thought about my wimpy attitude at times for having a sore knee. Ouch. Watching the game put things into proper perspective.
 
It's all about attitude.
 
Studies show that when we allow a negative or critical attitude to rule our daily lives, it can impact our health. Anecdotally, I observed this with a close family member, a senior Olympian, who spent many of his final years with an unforgiving attitude before his death. One of the most important things that determines your outcome today and for your future is your choice of attitude. And it is a choice every morning when you get up and every minute of the day.
 
Attitude will determine your altitude. It can give you Olympic-sized victories or it can make or break your marriage. It can be a factor for decision-makers when downsizing. Attitude can propel you forward when trying to accomplish the seemingly impossible. The choice I make in my attitude today is either one of faith, one that is positive, one of hope, or one of despair.  You get a “blank canvas” every day. What pictures will you paint on it with your choices?
 
My theme in coaching is Less = More. Simplify your life by getting rid of the clutter and stressors of life. In these tough times we have a choice to invest in things that help us grow, so I'm giving you an opportunity today to impact your lives in a positive way, with a positive attitude. 
 
Eric Swenson is a keynote speaker and executive coach. For more information, please visit www.ericswenson.org. 
 
Read more from YPNation on staying positive. 
 
(Photo credit: pietroizzo; C.C. 2.0)