Developing A Positive Attitude

1. Developing A Positive Attitude 10.1 Attitudes for Success

2. Objectives The importance of a positive attitude, high self-esteem, and enthusiasm in the workplace How to assert yourself Employers value workers who are upbeat, enthusiastic, and confident in their abilities and ideas

3. Attitudes for Success Attitude is a person’s outlook on life • Your attitude affects how you react to situations and how you are perceived by others • The first step in building a positive attitude is to think positively • Thinking positively can bring you success in your life and on the job

4. Positive Thinking Can… Positive thinking leads to positive results because: • Positive thinking helps you to get along better with others • Makes others feel more comfortable around you • Helps you to handle problems more effectively • Improves your health • Helps you reach your goals because it motivates to act

5. Self-Esteem Self-Esteem is recognition and regard for oneself and one’s abilities It’s essential for a positive attitude Developing Self-Esteem • It builds your confidence • Confidence generates success • Success builds self-esteem

6. Overcoming Doubt Positive self-talk means to “Outtalk” your negative inner voice • Try repeating confidence-building comments to yourself as often as you can • Making a list of positive statements can also help you to overcome doubt

7. Building Self-Esteem • Make a list of your abilities and successes • Think about how you have had a positive impact on someone else’s life, strive to help others • Work on improving your abilities

8. The Importance of Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is eagerness! • Sometimes we all have to work at pushing ourselves to act enthusiastically • An upbeat attitude in difficult situations will help you to develop a reputation as a hard and willing worker who can handle a challenge Act with enthusiasm & you will find yourself becoming enthusiastic!

9. Dealing with Mistakes Mistakes are simply opportunities to learn and grow from If you think you have made a mistake, try the following steps: • Make sure you really made a mistake! • Don’t try to cover it up, take responsibility • Offer a way to solve the problem • Learn from your mistake, don’t make the same mistake twice • Forgive yourself for being human & move on

10. Asserting Yourself Assertiveness is the confident presentation of yourself and your abilities • Be friendly and outgoing • Use positive body language and speak with confidence • Make an effort to get to know your coworkers and supervisors • Offer your opinions or suggestions sometimes • Ask for advice

11. Representing Yourself Some ways to make yourself better known are to: • Volunteer for committees or projects • Become an expert at your job/company • Keep a journal of your accomplishments

12. Assertiveness ~ NOT ARROGANCE Arrogance is an excessive display of self-regard The difference between assertiveness and arrogance has to do with respecting other people and their abilities Make sure to use the proper attitude and tone with people

13. Section 10.2 Acting Like A Professional

14. Objectives How to react professionally to workplace pressures, criticism, and gossip Methods used to control anger on the job To succeed in the workplace, you must be able to handle difficult situations in a professional manner

15. Acting like a professional Professionalism means acting maturely and appropriately on the job Think things through before taking action

16. Accepting Criticism Being able to accept criticism properly is vital to your success in any job Constructive Criticism!!! This is criticism presented in a way that helps you learn and grow. • It’s often given during performance reviews or evaluations • It may come up in conversations during work activities

17. What Makes Criticism Constructive? Many supervisors will offer positive comments before offering criticism • If your boss is abrupt when making suggestions, focus on the advice given so that you can grow professionally • Criticism is easier to handle when you see it as being helpful • Some employees welcome criticism because it teaches them better ways to succeed at their job

18. Responding to Criticism Defensiveness means guarding yourself emotionally by closing yourself to negative opinions When you can’t listen, you can’t grow Be receptive, not defensive Respond to criticism by: • Listen closely to the criticism • Make sure you understand, ask if you don’t • Identify a solution to the problem • Take action to fix the problem, break it down if it’s alot

19. Handling PressureA few tips…….. • Break large tasks into smaller ones • Ask for help if you’re overwhelmed • Use a daily “To Do” list • Prioritize your duties • If you have two supervisors, make sure your priorities are clear

20. Handling Gossip Gossip is idle talk that usually consists of rumors • It is usually untrue and hurtful • Gossip hopes the gossiper as well, the more often an employee gossips, the less coworkers will trust them • Before you join in gossiping, ask yourself: • What’s my motivation for gossiping? • Could my comments unfairly damage some one else’s reputation? ~ Do Unto Others as you would have done to you~

21. Controlling Anger If you get frustrated and angry, follow these tips: • Count to 10 • Take a few deep breaths • Consider what you are really angry about • Channel your energy into solving the problem

22. Controlling Anger To solve the problem, follow these steps: • Define the problem • Decide on the best possible solutions • Evaluate possible solutions • Make a decision • Take Action

23. Summing it Up • Accept challenges as opportunities • Learn to analyze a situation from all angles, even if some of those viewpoints differ from yours • Always show respect and consideration for others, even if you disagree