Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right!” Sure, it’s cliché, but the truth behind it is hard to ignore: your attitude not only shapes how you see the world, but it also determines how the world responds to you. Here are four practical ways to keep yours working for you, not against you.
1. Self-awareness
The first step to solving any problem is recognizing that there’s a problem. Being self-aware helps you identify when your attitude needs an adjustment. Start with being honest about what frustrates you or how you respond to stress or pressure. Learn to identify the situations in your day that cause you to not think, speak, or show up as the best version of you. It may seem personal, but as a leader, everything you do has a ripple effect on your team. Build self-awareness through reflection, and you’ll become better at knowing when it’s time to take a moment to reflect, refocus, and reframe your thoughts.
2. Reframe negative self-talk
How do you speak to yourself? Are you kind and understanding or ruthless? Would you say the things you’re telling yourself to a friend? Negative self-talk is a slippery slope that can start a dangerous chain reaction, often confirming your own negative self-talk.
- Thoughts– The story you tell yourself (“I can’t do this” vs. “I’ll figure this out”)
- Feelings– Thoughts spark emotions (defeated, anxious vs. confident, energized)
- Actions– Emotions shape your behavior (giving up vs. regrouping and taking action)
- Results– Confirmation of the original thoughts (setback vs. success)
3. Be your own hype man
As a leader, there’s not always someone around to keep you pumped up…you’ve got to keep yourself positive, energized, and optimistic because you set the tone for everyone around you. We always find what we’re looking for, so find the good in the situation you’re in. Remind yourself of past victories and make sure you’re engaging in positive self-talk. You got this. You can do anything you set your mind to!
4. Maintain perspective
Zoom out and keep the big picture in mind. Focus on the positives and what you can control, and be grateful that you have the ability to make progress. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity. Break the problem down into small, manageable chunks, prioritize them, and move forward—progress is made one step at a time.