POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND

OUTLOOK

Course – BJMC

Subject – English Communication and Life Skills

Unit - IV

Concept of Positive Attitude: You have probably had someone

tell you to "look on the brightside" or to "see the cup as halffull." Chances are good that thepeople who make thesecomments are positive thinkers.

An attitude is an expression offavor or disfavor toward aperson, place, thing, or event.

Attitude can be formed from aperson's past and present.

Our attitude may be positive ornegative.

Attitude is a mental positionwith regard to a fact or state; afeeling or emotion toward a factor state. – Definition.

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

Positive attitude, positivethinking, and optimism arenow known to be a root causeof many positive life benefits.

Positive thinking is the act ofthinking good or affirmativethoughts. – Definition.

Many people engage inpositive thinking to ridthemselves of depressing,unhealthy, negative thoughts.

Based on the idea the mindcan affect the body, positivethinking is a way of keepingthe mind and body healthy.

Positive Thinking can bedescribed as the practice ofembracing the affirmative inour thoughts, our feelings, ouractions, our reactions and ourspeech.

Positive thinking is a mentalattitude that admits into themind thoughts, words andimages that are conductive tosayings on thinking-positivegrowth, expansion and success.

It is a mental attitude thatexpects good and favorableresults. It is strategy that canbe used to make you feel goodabout yourself.

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

person is unhappy and feels that everything isunfair and is working against their overallhappiness. A negative attitude is brought aboutby wrong beliefs, which are brought about bypeople or other influences.

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

The negative attitude would be someone thatalways says the worst about everyone andeverything. When you have a negative attitudeyou are not able to really see anything that wasgood 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 Attitude

1) People with positiveattitude think “I Can”.

People with negative attitudethink “I Cannot”.

2) Optimist is a person whothinks positively about asubject. The act of beingoptimist is known asOptimism.

Pessimist is a person whothinks negatively about asubject. The act of beingpessimist is known asPessimism.

3) Optimists believe they arein control and they can shapetheir future.

Pessimists believe they haveno control over their lives

4) Optimists see possibility. Pessimists see problems.

5) Positive Attitude helps usstay healthy.

Negative Attitude has anadverse affect on our lives.

Positive thinking helps with stress management and caneven improve your health.

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positivethinking and optimism on health. Health benefits thatpositive 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.

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 tomental activities in the evening.We should make appropriatepreparations for the next day.One can also take a hot bathbefore bedtime to promote ease.We should avoid TV whilesleeping. Soothing fragrances,lights, and music may help aswell.

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

The following are seven steps to positive self talk. Byfollowing these steps you will begin to rid your innerconversations of negativity and instead have empoweringthoughts.

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

Step 2: Positive Affirmations.Affirmations are positive statements of adesired outcome or goal. They are usuallyshort, believable and focused. By repeatingthem over and over again, you build inroadsinto your subconscious mind, opening upthe possibility of a new state of thoughts.An important step when repeatingaffirmations is that you need to read youraffirmations aloud with feeling.

Step 3: Positive Scripts.One thing that you may observe is on how easy it is for your mindto build negative thought upon negative thought. The chatter notonly 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 lifewhich may be holding your thoughts hostage. For instance, yourmental state can become toxic by being around friends who arenegative. If you are not vigilant enough, you will start to adopt theirthoughts as your own. Hence, be alert to what your negativeinfluences are. If they come from certain friends, limit yourexposure to them as much as you can. Refrain from discussing yourplans with people who will be unsupportive of your dreams andgoals. Instead surround yourself with thoughts and actions frompeople who will empower you.

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

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

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

Replacing self talk from a negative to a more positive one isnot going to happen overnight. If your mind has ingrainedhabits of thinking negatively, it will take some work and time.

c) If you catch yourself visualizing failure, visualize successinstead.Visualizing success on a daily basis helps us remain positiveand strong towards our goal.d) If you hear yourself using negative words in yourconversation, switch to positive words.Positive words help us in personal and professional life, informal and informal conversations. It also creates a goodimpression about us and helps us remain positive.e) Help someone.Take the focus away from you and do something nice foranother person.f) Love yourself.Be yourself. Love yourself completely and accept everythingthat you are. You are beautiful. Believe it, and mostimportantly, remind yourself often.

g) Stay Cool.If someone cuts us off in traffic or skips the queue at ourlocal cinema, we may feel our blood pressure begin to riseand feel the need to react in a negative manner. We getuptight with other people’s actions, and in the end wepunish ourselves for their bad behavior. But we areresponsible for our own action, regardless of how rudeother 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 positivein others and you will be more likeable. If you have morepeople 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 youlike to do in your free time and most importantly your job orcareer. When you do things that make you happy, you feelbetter about yourself, have a positive outlook at life and youbegin 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 ahabit to expect the best out of every circumstance. Recite anaffirmation, "Everything will work out great. Everything will fallinto place. Today will be a happy day!" The more often you reciteaffirmations, the easier it will be for you to believe that positivethings do happen.k) Boost your Self-Esteem.Think positive thought and speak positive words to yourselfeveryday.

Positive Outlook & Clothing

‘The way you dress can have an impact on your Attitude.’

₪ Clothing is a form of expression. Bright colors many a timesgive us a happy feeling when we wear bright color clothes.The clothes we wear definitely have an impact on ourattitude.

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

₪ Dressing up can take extra effort, but it also feelsgood, 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 asindividuals. Through clothing we can project an outerimage for the world to see. Whether fair or not we areoften judged by our appearances. We know thatdressing well makes a good impression, but our choiceof 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 energywith this new outfit. Essentially you’ve changed yourinner attitude by changing your outer world. Whoknew 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 inone color to create an illusion of length, but top it off with apop of color. Red is a great power color to help you feel morepositive. Once you try this outfit evaluate your attitude. Youmay actually feel more self-assured!

₪ If clothing makes us feel more powerful, outgoing, beautiful,handsome, mysterious, quirky, or humorous, it willsubconsciously 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 weremeant for everybody, so find the clothes that are right foryou.

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 andnegative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bringconstructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighterand more successful.With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, becomeoptimistic, and expect the best to happen. It is certainly a state of mindthat 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 yourselfand 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 negativeattitude and expecting failure anddifficulties, it is now the time to changethe way you think. It is time to get rid ofnegative thoughts and behavior and leada happy and successful life. Why notstart today? If you have tried and failed,it only means that you have not triedenough.

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

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

ᴥ Moral values are based on a moral code, which is a system ofmorality according to a particular philosophy, religion, orculture. The Golden Rule states to treat others as you wouldlike 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 ineveryday life decisions. Our moral values dictate how welives our lives and treat each other. Values play a largerole in society. Moral values make a society safer andmore comfortable to live in.

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

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

Important Moral Values

Important Moral Values are:

a) Honesty

b) Having Respect for others and Self-Respect

c) Justice

d) Patience

e) Courtesy

f) Being trustworthy

g) Being caring and compassionate

h) Being Persevering/Diligent

i) Being Forgiving

j) Being Loyal

k) Being Tolerant

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

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

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

Discipline demands self-control and dedication. Student life is the formationperiod of life. The foundation of adulthood is laid down during the time. The mangrows with the habits and manners acquired at that time. These things hardlychange. So a student should be much disciplined in his student life. One who isdisciplined raises high in life. Life of great men are examples of discipline. Thegreat men have made mark in their lives, because they strictly follow their goalswith 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 orreminded, they will never do it. When students are kind, courteous, andrespectful, people enjoy being around them and reciprocate with the samebehavior.

Humility signifies not being proud over accomplishments and achievements. Italso means saying sorry for students or individuals, when they do something theyshould 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 wethink and act the same way. Honesty is not to make promises that we are notplanning to keep. An honest person is somebody whom we trust because he orshe doesn’t lie. We are being honest when we comply with rules. We needcourage to be honest. We should accept our mistakes and correct them. Liveeveryday with honesty, you will be happier and you will make happy everybodyaround you.

Moral Values & Positive Attitude

A major part of lives is influenced by our attitudes towards self andothers and how we feel as a result of those attitudes. Developingpositive attitude can contribute to leading a satisfying and successfullife. Our Self is made up of body and soul. Our attitude towardseverything we do must take into account the needs of body and soul.Moral values are essentially determined by taking into account theneed of our soul; feeling the essence of soul and remaining attachedto others through love and good feelings.

Being morally good and having a Positive Attitude will definitelylead towards success. Success is made up of a number of Moralvalues like honesty, persistence, patience, respect, courtesy, etc.Positive Attitude affects relationships, career and your entirefuture. Let’s have a positive winning attitude and transform andshape our lives.

• References:• Fredrickson, B. L., Tugade, M. M., Waugh, C. E., & Larkin, G. R. (2003). What good

are positive emotions in crises? A prospective study of resilience and emotions following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001. The

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Times. Found online at http://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/03/science/research-

affirms-power-of-positive-thinking.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm• Goode, E. (2003). Power of Positive Thinking May Have a Health Benefit, Study

Says. The New York Times. Found online at

http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/News/Positive_thinking_NYT_9-03.html• Mayo Clinic. (2011). Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-

talk. Found online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-

thinking/SR00009• Schwartz, T. Psychologist and scientist Suzanne Segerstrom ’90 studies optimism

and the immune system. Chronicle. Found online at

http://legacy.lclark.edu/dept/chron/positives03.html• Segerstrom, S. & Sephton, S. (2010). Optimistic expectancies and cell-mediated

immunity: The role of positive affect. Psychological Science, 21(3), 448-55.

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