Attitude Amid The Chaos

Like every new year, this is the time we consider the changes we would like to see in our lives in 2012. As a start, I would recommend doing an honest and open attitude check on yourself!

For most of us, when things are going great, it's easy to be good. It's easy to be happy. But when things are not going that great and we want to pull our hair out. It's very hard to look around and be grateful for the blessings we have.

I'd like to share with you a personal story. I was a Certified Financial Planner and Assistant Vice President with Merrill Lynch in Boston for 10 years. I had always made a 6 figure income. I quit my job after my 2nd child was born and my husband and I moved to Charleston.

1 year later, I found myself separated with a 2 year old, a 4 year old, no family close by, few friends, no job, no income and no connections. The easy thing for me to do would have been to get a full-time job. But I decided that I wanted to be home with my children and that I was going to figure out how to become an entrepreneur. I very quickly learned that in order to have the level of success I wanted, I had to work on myself more than I worked on my business. I knew my attitude and my outlook on life would completely shape my future.

So I read and read and read and also researched what was working in today's marketplace. And I learned and I grew and I failed. And then I learned some more and grew some more and failed some more. And I did it again and again and am still reading, learning, growing and failing - and I love it!

Over the past 6 years... I have been faced with moving to a new city where I knew no one, a divorce, several failed friendships and relationships, 3 failed businesses, having a substantial income one day and it being taken away from me the next which put my family into poverty. And no one knew what was going on in my life!

Why? Because of my attitude!

Through whatever it is that you are going through, you have to condition your mind to where very little could shake you and take you down. And I know that without these challenges, without these setbacks, without these difficulties, without all this chaos, you could never reach your full potential in your life.

So how are you managing your attitude? Is is negative or do you always choose to see the BRIGHT SIDE of every situation?

I suggest that you take your challenges and tell them that they will not defeat you! YOU have a big purpose in your life and you should be determined to become who you know you are.

Here is the key: everything can be taken away from you, but nothing can take your attitude. YOU are in control of that.

So, how's your attitude? Not just in your business, but how's your attitude toward your Spouse or Partner? Your Health? Your Children?

And here is a fun one - Do you blame money for your problems? If you do, I can assure you that money will stay far, far away from you!

You see, at every moment you choose how you feel. Some days are good, and some days just flat out stink. It's not that you feel bad or have a bad day, it's how quickly you can mentally get yourself out of it that matters.

So when things are going on in your life, consider inserting some BS into your days. What is BS? It's not what you think! BS is the BRIGHT SIDE and the BRIGHT SIDE is an alternative way of seeing things.

It's the "GOOD NEWS" attitude...

Cause yourself to see something new through this Good News attitude. Everyone is challenged. You can choose the BS (bullshit side) or you can choose the BS (BRIGHT SIDE).

The #1 thing a BRIGHT SIDE attitude guarantees you is that you are open to receiving new opportunities. Choosing the BRIGHT SIDE instantly makes you feel better and it will become how you automatically see life. When your attitude and outlook change, you naturally create more opportunities for yourself and others.

YOU have a choice. I believe the greatest despair in life brings the greatest gifts. Six years later, I have some amazing successes and I can also tell you that I am not done failing yet. I have two profitable businesses and a third with substantial potential. I have many friendships and business relationships, I have two amazing children that are very well adjusted that have made personal development a part of their daily routine, I am starting to fulfill my dream as a speaker and I am making an impact on this world. I get emails from people daily telling me how thankful they are to me for being a role model and an inspiration to all. Without focusing on my attitude, none of this would have been possible.

You have to accept the cards you are being dealt right now. You have to decide how to play them to win the game. It's not about how much you are getting hit. It's about how much you get your butt kicked and get back up.

You are powerful beyond measure! You playing it small with your attitude doesn't serve you and it certainly doesn't serve the world. Remember that you will always get what you give - and where your focus goes, energy flows. What you focus on will determine your outlook on life. Make sure you are focusing on the good news of THE BRIGHT SIDE which will change your attitude, your outlook and ultimately, your life!

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Ellen Stebbins invites you to join her blog as she provides tips and strategies to become a Power Networker and a Rock Star Social Media Marketer.

She is also available for hire as your social media business coach. After applying her proven Social Marketing methods, her clients typically experience a significant increase in traffic, subscribers, clients and strategic alliances. Her company also develops websites and helps your company get noticed through SEO and Social Media Marketing. Please visit http://www.ellenstebbins.com for more information.