The Winning Attitude

1. Attitude: Your Internal Compass, Dictating Performance

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Attitude's Impact: Like an airplane's attitude indicator, your attitude dictates your performance in life. It's not just about what you can do (ability) or what you want to do (motivation), but how well you do it. A positive attitude can elevate even ordinary abilities, while a negative one can sabotage even the most talented individuals.

Attitude as a Filter: Your attitude acts as a filter through which you perceive the world. A positive attitude allows you to see opportunities in challenges, while a negative one magnifies difficulties and breeds discontent. This internal perspective shapes your approach to life, your relationships, and your overall success.

The Contagious Nature of Attitude: Attitudes are not isolated; they are contagious. A positive attitude can uplift those around you, while a negative one can bring down the entire group. This underscores the importance of cultivating a healthy attitude, not just for your own benefit, but for the benefit of those you interact with.

2. Attitude is a Choice, Not a Condition

“The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

Beyond Circumstances: While external conditions can influence your attitude, they do not determine it. You have the freedom to choose how you respond to any situation. This is a powerful concept, as it places the responsibility for your attitude squarely on your shoulders.

The Power of Perspective: Two people can experience the same event and have vastly different attitudes. This difference stems from their chosen perspective. One might see a setback as a failure, while the other sees it as a learning opportunity. This highlights the importance of consciously choosing a positive perspective.

Active vs. Passive: A passive approach to life allows circumstances to dictate your attitude, while an active approach empowers you to choose your response. This active choice is the key to cultivating a positive attitude, regardless of your external environment.

3. Attitude is Built, Not Inherited

“Our attitudes are formed by our experiences and how we choose to react to them.”

Early Influences: While your personality and temperament may be innate, your attitudes are largely shaped by your environment, experiences, and the words you hear, especially during your formative years. These early influences can create a foundation for either positive or negative attitudes.

Ongoing Construction: Attitude development is not a static process; it's an ongoing construction project. As you encounter new experiences, you are constantly reinforcing, changing, or forming new attitudes. This means you have the power to reshape your perspective at any point in your life.

The Power of Reinforcement: The more you reinforce a particular attitude, the stronger it becomes. This underscores the importance of consciously choosing to reinforce positive attitudes and actively challenge negative ones. Like a muscle, your attitude grows stronger with consistent exercise.

4. Negative Attitudes: The Crash from Within

“Often our attitude is the only difference between success and failure.”

Internal Saboteurs: Negative attitudes often stem from internal factors such as the fear of failure, discouragement, and the struggle with sin. These internal battles can sabotage your efforts and lead to a downward spiral of negativity.

The Fear of Failure: The fear of failure can paralyze you, preventing you from taking risks and pursuing your goals. It can lead to a self-limiting mindset that keeps you from reaching your full potential. Overcoming this fear requires embracing failure as a learning opportunity.

The Dread of Discouragement: Discouragement can cloud your vision, causing you to lose sight of your purpose and potential. It can lead to self-pity, blame, and a distorted view of reality. Combating discouragement requires a conscious effort to maintain a positive perspective and focus on your strengths.

5. External Factors That Can Crash Your Attitude

“Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else.”

External Pressures: External factors such as criticism, problems, change, and negativity can also contribute to a negative attitude. These external pressures can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that you have the power to control your response.

The Sting of Criticism: Criticism, especially when it comes from those close to you, can be particularly damaging. It's important to learn to filter criticism, taking what is constructive and discarding what is not. Remember, even Jesus faced criticism.

The Weight of Problems: The presence of problems can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that they are a normal part of life. Instead of letting problems define you, view them as opportunities for growth and learning.

6. Changing Your Attitude: A Deliberate Process

“The result of a renewed mind or a changed attitude is to prove and fulfill God’s will.”

Conscious Effort: Changing your attitude is not a passive process; it requires a conscious and deliberate effort. It involves identifying negative thought patterns, challenging them, and replacing them with positive ones. This process takes time, patience, and persistence.

The Power of a Renewed Mind: The Bible emphasizes the importance of renewing your mind as a key to transforming your attitude. This involves actively choosing to focus on positive, uplifting thoughts and aligning your thinking with God's Word.

The Importance of Action: Changing your attitude is not just about thinking differently; it's also about acting differently. It involves taking concrete steps to align your behavior with your desired attitude. This might include seeking out positive influences, engaging in acts of service, or practicing gratitude.

7. The Power of Choice: Taking Control of Your Attitude

“You are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice.”

Mastery vs. Victimhood: You have the power to choose whether you will be the master of your attitude or its victim. This choice is the first step in taking control of your perspective and shaping your life.

The Power of Decision: The decision to change is the most important step in the process. Without a firm commitment to change, your efforts will likely be short-lived. This decision must be made with sincerity and honesty, acknowledging your need for transformation.

Accountability and Support: Enlisting the help of a friend who can hold you accountable and provide encouragement is crucial for success. This support system can help you stay on track and overcome challenges along the way.

8. Opportunities for Growth: Leveraging Your Surroundings

“What you will become in five years will be determined by what you read and who you associate with.”

The Power of Association: Your friendships and associations have a profound impact on your attitudes. Surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging people can help you cultivate a more positive outlook on life.

The Importance of Role Models: Selecting a positive role model can provide you with a visual example of the kind of person you want to become. This model can inspire you, challenge you, and provide you with a clear path to follow.

Learning from Mistakes: Mistakes are inevitable, but they can be valuable learning opportunities. By reviewing your mistakes, identifying their causes, and making adjustments, you can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

9. The God Above You: The Ultimate Source of Strength

“Anything less than God will let you down.”

God's Unfailing Support: Ultimately, your strength to change your attitude comes from God. His Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit provide the guidance, power, and encouragement you need to overcome negative patterns and cultivate a positive perspective.

The Power of God's Word: The Bible provides a framework for understanding yourself, your purpose, and your relationship with God. It offers guidance, wisdom, and encouragement for navigating the challenges of life.

The Importance of Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God, seeking His guidance, and receiving His strength. Through prayer, you can find comfort, peace, and the power to overcome any obstacle.

Last updated: January 19, 2025