POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND OUTLOOK

Course – BBASubject – English Communication and Life Skills

Unit - IV

Concept of Positive Attitude: You have probably had someone

tell you to "look on the bright side" or to "see the cup as half full." Chances are good that the people who make these comments are positive thinkers.

An attitude is an expression of favor or disfavor toward a person, place, thing, or event.

Attitude can be formed from a person's past and present.

Our attitude may be positive or negative.

Attitude is a mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state. – Definition.

http://psychology.about.com/od/PositivePsychology/a/benefits-of-positive-thinking.htm

Positive attitude, positive thinking, and optimism are now known to be a root cause of many positive life benefits.

Positive thinking is the act of thinking good or affirmative thoughts. – Definition.

Many people engage in positive thinking to rid themselves of depressing, unhealthy, negative thoughts.

Based on the idea the mind can affect the body, positive thinking is a way of keeping the mind and body healthy.

Positive Thinking can be described as the practice of embracing the affirmative in our thoughts, our feelings, our actions, our reactions and our speech.

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to sayings on thinking-positive growth, expansion and success.

It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. It is strategy that can be used to make you feel good about yourself.

What is Negative Attitude? A negative attitude is a frame of mind whereby a

person is unhappy and feels that everything is unfair and is working against their overall happiness. A negative attitude is brought about by wrong beliefs, which are brought about by people or other influences.

A negative attitude would be a person that would not have anything positive to say or do. This would be an attitude of bad feelings towards things or people.

The negative attitude would be someone that always says the worst about everyone and everything. When you have a negative attitude you are not able to really see anything that was good in someone or something.

ATTITUDE Acrostics: A person with Positive Attitude:Always see the good in a situation.

Tries to find solutions to problems.

Takes time to appreciate the little things.

Is happy with what he has.

Takes responsibility for his actions.

Understands the need to listen to other people’s opinions and thoughts.

Doesn’t complain often.

Enjoys life.

Positive Attitude vs. Negative Attitude1) People with positive

attitude think “I Can”.People with negative attitude think “I Cannot”.

2) Optimist is a person who thinks positively about a subject. The act of being optimist is known as Optimism.

Pessimist is a person who thinks negatively about a subject. The act of being pessimist is known as Pessimism.

3) Optimists believe they are in control and they can shape their future.

Pessimists believe they have no control over their lives

4) Optimists see possibility. Pessimists see problems.

5) Positive Attitude helps us stay healthy.

Negative Attitude has an adverse affect on our lives.

How Positive Thinking/Attitude affects our health?

Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health.

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

a) Increased Life span.b) Lower rates of depression.c) Greater resistance to common cold.d) Better psychological and physical well-being.e) Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease.f) Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.g) Positive Attitude makes us resilient.h) Reduces stress.

How Negative Attitude affects our health?

a)Negative Attitude upsets our body’s hormonal balance.

b)Negative thinking depletes the brain chemicals required for feelings of happiness.

c) Negative attitude damages immune system.d)Negative attitude decreases our life span.e)Negative thinking affects our physical health and

may lead to hypertension, heart diseases, digestive disorders and infection.

f) Negative thinking reduces our sleep.g)Negative thinking leads to aging.h)Negative energy feeds any disease.

Ways to develop Positive Attitude:a) Sound Sleep.We should minimize attaching to mental activities in the evening. We should make appropriate preparations for the next day. One can also take a hot bath before bedtime to promote ease. We should avoid TV while sleeping. Soothing fragrances, lights, and music may help as well.

b) Practicing positive Self-talk.Our actions are inspired by our thoughts. If we can change the way we think, we can begin to change the actions we take. Most of us are in constant mental chatter. We talk to ourselves all day long and, unfortunately, this self talk is frequently negative. Practicing positive self talk can help us set in motion actions that will bring us greater rewards.

The following are seven steps to positive self talk. By following these steps you will begin to rid your inner conversations of negativity and instead have empowering thoughts.

Step 1: Eliminate internal negative chatter.A common negative talk involves telling yourself “I can’t”. When you say to yourself “I can’t” or “it is too difficult”, you are creating a resistance. Having such a mental block will prevent you from achieving a task you could otherwise succeed at.

Step 2: Positive Affirmations.Affirmations are positive statements of a desired outcome or goal. They are usually short, believable and focused. By repeating them over and over again, you build inroads into your subconscious mind, opening up the possibility of a new state of thoughts. An important step when repeating affirmations is that you need to read your affirmations aloud with feeling.

Step 3: Positive Scripts.One thing that you may observe is on how easy it is for your mind to build negative thought upon negative thought. The chatter not only does not stop but it spins a drama that traps and limits you.

Step 4: Replace Negative Influences with Positive OnesIt is important that you identify external negative factors in your life which may be holding your thoughts hostage. For instance, your mental state can become toxic by being around friends who are negative. If you are not vigilant enough, you will start to adopt their thoughts as your own. Hence, be alert to what your negative influences are. If they come from certain friends, limit your exposure to them as much as you can. Refrain from discussing your plans with people who will be unsupportive of your dreams and goals. Instead surround yourself with thoughts and actions from people who will empower you.

Step 5: Present Tense MessagesWhat may be helpful is to concentrate on steps you can take in the present. If you find yourself becoming stuck, stop and say, “What can I do right now?” Change your internal talk from a future anxiety ridden one to one that is about the more manageable present. You cannot control what will happen in the future but you can take the necessary steps now that will build a better tomorrow. Taking the necessary steps require you to focus your thoughts and inner talk in the present time, i.e., NOW.

Step 6: Confront fearsFear is often what holds you back from your success. Ask yourself what you are afraid of. What can be the worst that can happen? When you confront your fears, you will often realize that the worst case scenario is not as bad as you think. In fact, the benefits of change are worth the risk. Your inner talk begins to change at this point.

Step 7: Focus on enjoyable/Enjoyed Moments.It is much easier to have a positive attitude if you focus on the enjoyable moments in life rather than the difficult ones. While there will inevitably be challenges, you need to remember that life consists of ups and downs.You choose to fill your mind with positive images and thoughts. Make it a conscious habit. Simply bring your mind back every time it goes astray in its thoughts.

Replacing self talk from a negative to a more positive one is not going to happen overnight. If your mind has ingrained habits of thinking negatively, it will take some work and time.

c) If you catch yourself visualizing failure, visualize success instead.Visualizing success on a daily basis helps us remain positive and strong towards our goal. d) If you hear yourself using negative words in your conversation, switch to positive words.Positive words help us in personal and professional life, in formal and informal conversations. It also creates a good impression about us and helps us remain positive.e) Help someone.Take the focus away from you and do something nice for another person.f) Love yourself.Be yourself. Love yourself completely and accept everything that you are. You are beautiful. Believe it, and most importantly, remind yourself often.

g) Stay Cool.If someone cuts us off in traffic or skips the queue at our local cinema, we may feel our blood pressure begin to rise and feel the need to react in a negative manner. We get uptight with other people’s actions, and in the end we punish ourselves for their bad behavior. But we are responsible for our own action, regardless of how rude other people may act. If it’s hard to stay cool, remember: you are the one who loses in the end, if you lose the lesson.

h) Compliment others.Take a moment to encourage others. Emphasize on the positive in others and you will be more likeable. If you have more people like you, then, you will like yourself more. i) Figure out what you love and do it.This includes activities you enjoy doing, hobbies, things you like to do in your free time and most importantly your job or career. When you do things that make you happy, you feel better about yourself, have a positive outlook at life and you begin to project a positive attitude.

j) No matter what, expect the best.Although it seems easier to see the negative in every situation, turn around and look for the positive in everything. Make it a habit to expect the best out of every circumstance. Recite an affirmation, "Everything will work out great. Everything will fall into place. Today will be a happy day!" The more often you recite affirmations, the easier it will be for you to believe that positive things do happen. k) Boost your Self-Esteem.Think positive thought and speak positive words to yourself everyday.

Positive Outlook & Clothing‘The way you dress can have an impact on your

Attitude.’₪ Clothing is a form of expression. Bright colors many a times

give us a happy feeling when we wear bright color clothes. The clothes we wear definitely have an impact on our attitude.

₪ Attitudes definitely are some result of the clothes we wear. If you are going to an interview for a very serious job, you are going to pick a suit that makes you look and feel strong. Also, while at this hypothetical interview, you are more inclined to be taken seriously and take yourself seriously while wearing a suit. Likewise, wearing a t-shirt and jeans for a Cricket match allows you to relax.

₪ Dressing up can take extra effort, but it also feels good, especially if you receive extra compliments.

₪ There’s an old saying that goes “clothes make the man (or woman).”

₪ Our choice of clothing says a lot about us as individuals. Through clothing we can project an outer image for the world to see. Whether fair or not we are often judged by our appearances. We know that dressing well makes a good impression, but our choice of clothing can also affect our moods.

₪ Putting on a nice pair of dress jeans and a colorful top. You might notice that you have a little boost of energy with this new outfit. Essentially you’ve changed your inner attitude by changing your outer world. Who knew that clothing could be so magical?

₪ If you’re looking to develop a more confident attitude, choose clothing that makes you appear taller. Dress mostly in one color to create an illusion of length, but top it off with a pop of color. Red is a great power color to help you feel more positive. Once you try this outfit evaluate your attitude. You may actually feel more self-assured!

₪ If clothing makes us feel more powerful, outgoing, beautiful, handsome, mysterious, quirky, or humorous, it will subconsciously reflect in our personality.

₪ Wear the right kind of clothes for your body.₪ Prints around the neck and over the shoulder can make your

shoulders appear wider.₪ Tops and bottoms of one color will make you look thinner.₪ Don't just follow fashions. Choose clothes that will flatter

your figure and suit you. Not all fashionable clothes were meant for everybody, so find the clothes that are right for you.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Positive attitude helps you cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful.With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic, and expect the best to happen. It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing.Co-relation between Positive Attitude and Personal Development:a) Helps achieving goals and attaining success.b) Success achieved faster and more easily.c)More happiness.d)More energy.e)Greater inner power and strength.f)The ability to inspire and motivate yourself and others.g) People respect you.

h) Life smiles at you.i) The ability to surmount any difficulty.j) Associate yourself with happy people.k) Read inspiring stories and quotes.l) Visualize only what you want to happen.m) Learn to master your thoughts.n) We choose to be happy.Conclusion:If you have been exhibiting a negative attitude and expecting failure and difficulties, it is now the time to change the way you think. It is time to get rid of negative thoughts and behavior and lead a happy and successful life. Why not start today? If you have tried and failed, it only means that you have not tried enough.

ᴥ Moral values are the standards of good and evil, which govern an individual’s behavior and choices. Individual’s morals may derive from society and government, religion, or self.

ᴥ Moral values are the principles and standards which determine whether an action is right or wrong. - Definition.

ᴥ Moral values are based on a moral code, which is a system of morality according to a particular philosophy, religion, or culture. The Golden Rule states to treat others as you would like others to treat you.

ᴥ Moral values are good and positive attributes and attitudes. Some examples of moral values are patience, generosity, kindness, and compassion.

MORAL VALUES

ᴥ Moral values are important because they guide us in everyday life decisions. Our moral values dictate how we lives our lives and treat each other. Values play a large role in society. Moral values make a society safer and more comfortable to live in.

ᴥ Morals values and principles are all learned behaviors and opinions. Morals are the inner voice that tells you when you are doing something right or wrong.

ᴥ Values are the beliefs you have in what is right and wrong. Principles are a rule or code of conduct. A person that has no morals, values, or principles is not a good person. They are the kind of person that is willing to hurt others to achieve their own goals.

Important Moral ValuesImportant Moral Values are:a) Honestyb) Having Respect for others and Self-Respectc) Justiced) Patiencee) Courtesyf) Being trustworthyg) Being caring and compassionateh) Being Persevering/Diligenti) Being Forgivingj) Being Loyalk) Being Tolerant

Moral Values in EducationThere are moral values in education. One of the most important moral values in education would be cheating. It is not moral to cheat on a test. Some students may be failing a class and failing a test may be devastating. However, they aren't willing to compromise their morals and cheat to get a better grade. Moral values in education include treating others well. A moral person will not single out someone different and bully them. They will treat them kindly.

Moral education is the guidance and teaching of good behavior and values. Moral education is taught to young children in schools and colleges, providing them with a sense of politeness and lawfulness.

Discipline and Obedience are important moral values which students should possess. Discipline means complete obedience to certain rules and regulations. Since student life is a period of learning and grooming, a student needs to be sincere, dedicated, firm and focused to his goals. Discipline plays significant role in shaping his personality and molding his character.A student needs to be very punctual to his routine. He should be very regular and sincere to his studies. He should be hard working. He should always be ready and active in various other extracurricular activities.

Discipline demands self-control and dedication. Student life is the formation period of life. The foundation of adulthood is laid down during the time. The man grows with the habits and manners acquired at that time. These things hardly change. So a student should be much disciplined in his student life. One who is disciplined raises high in life. Life of great men are examples of discipline. The great men have made mark in their lives, because they strictly follow their goals with all the earnestness (seriousness) and sincerity.

Politeness is another moral value students must learn. Remembering to say “please” and “thank you” isn’t a difficult task, but if students are never taught or reminded, they will never do it. When students are kind, courteous, and respectful, people enjoy being around them and reciprocate with the same behavior.

Humility signifies not being proud over accomplishments and achievements. It also means saying sorry for students or individuals, when they do something they should not have done. A good student will apologize when he/she is wrong.

Employers look for Honesty in the people they hire. We are being honest when we think and act the same way. Honesty is not to make promises that we are not planning to keep. An honest person is somebody whom we trust because he or she doesn’t lie. We are being honest when we comply with rules. We need courage to be honest. We should accept our mistakes and correct them. Live everyday with honesty, you will be happier and you will make happy everybody around you.

Moral Values & Positive AttitudeA major part of lives is influenced by our attitudes towards self and others and how we feel as a result of those attitudes. Developing positive attitude can contribute to leading a satisfying and successful life. Our Self is made up of body and soul. Our attitude towards everything we do must take into account the needs of body and soul. Moral values are essentially determined by taking into account the need of our soul; feeling the essence of soul and remaining attached to others through love and good feelings.

Being morally good and having a Positive Attitude will definitely lead towards success. Success is made up of a number of Moral values like honesty, persistence, patience, respect, courtesy, etc. Positive Attitude affects relationships, career and your entire future. Let’s have a positive winning attitude and transform and shape our lives.

• References:

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• http://psychology.about.com/od/PositivePsychology/a/benefits-of-positive-thinking.htm