World-Class Positive Attitude
by Dr Eugene Sern-Ting Tan
Your Attitude Makes a World of Difference
One of the most important success principles of all time, which I constantly adhere to, is the power of a world-class positive attitude. Essentially, this means that I commit myself to reacting positively to any situation that I encounter.
Let me paint you a scenario. Say, when you received your results for a test or exam and found out that you performed badly compared to the rest of your classmates, how would you react? Instinctively, you may feel disappointed and discouraged, especially if you had studied hard for it. You may even feel inferior when you compare yourself with your friends. While it’s perfectly natural to initially experience such negative feelings to a disappointing outcome, what will ultimately turn the situation to your advantage is your subsequent response to it.
Do You Respond Negatively or Positively?
At this juncture, there are 2 ways that you can respond:
(A) You continue to despair and believe you are not as good as your classmates. You may even entertain thoughts of “What’s the point of studying so hard?”
(B) You brush your initial disappointment aside, and shift your focus to learning from the setback. Ask yourself questions such as, “What mistakes did I make in the test? What lessons can I learn to become stronger in this subject? How can I improve my preparation for subsequent tests?”
How Winners React to Adversity
The above scenario can also be applied to other areas of your life. For instance, how you react after losing the final of a badminton tournament that you are expected to win. Do you give up the game and tell yourself you are simply not good enough? Or are you gracious enough to congratulate and praise your opponent for his/her victory, and tell yourself that you will work harder and be back to challenge strongly again?
Similarly, the players, coaching staff and fans of a soccer club will naturally feel downcast in the immediate aftermath of losing an important match in the league. However, it is important to quickly dust off the disappointment, regroup and refocus on the next upcoming match. After all, the league is won or lost in an entire season, not in a single match. Always keep the bigger picture of your personal or team’s objectives in mind.
Conclusion
The next time you encounter a disappointment or setback, remember that it is designed to teach you invaluable lessons that will help you become successful in future. Cultivate the habit of asking yourself what you can learn from each event, and how you can become better. That is the world class positive attitude of a serial winner.
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”