Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 14 Strategies for a Positive Attitude
153
Analyze
Everyone’s life—home, school, work, and social—is full of ups and
downs. It is normal to feel positive at some times and negative at others.
How can you stay positive at work? First, understand what makes up
your work attitudes. Then develop ways to help you maintain a positive
work attitude.
Work Attitudes
Your work attitude has three components: attitude toward self,
attitude toward work, and attitude toward the workplace.
Attitude toward Self
The way you feel about yourself has a major effect on how you feel
about work. Attitude toward self is often called self-esteem. When your
self-esteem is high, you feel good about yourself. You are self-confident.
You know you can handle any task that comes your way.
Your level of self-esteem affects how you deal with people and
situations. When your self-esteem is high, you can see other people
as equals and coworkers, not threats. It is easier to sympathize and
understand what others are feeling. When your self-esteem is low, you
tend to see other people as threats. You might not be able to sympathize
with others or be understanding.
Think about Eileen’s and Mardryka’s responses to Zachary’s absence.
Mardryka’s self-esteem enabled her to defend Zachary. Why? She doesn’t
need to put down another person to feel good about herself because she
already feels good about herself. As a result, she is able to see another
person’s side of things. She gives Zachary the benefit of the doubt and
believes his reason for being absent. She also thinks about the welfare of
the patients. Being exposed to the flu would be bad for them. Instead of
being angry about doing more work, she feels good about filling in for
Zachary.
Attitude toward Work
A person’s attitude toward work is often called his or her work ethic.
People with a good work ethic feel that work is important. They want
to get their work done on time and at a high quality. They don’t expect
work to always be easy. They get satisfaction from doing a good job, and
they feel that the work itself is rewarding. People with a good work ethic
are willing to pitch in when problems arise and are willing to put in
extra hours when asked.
When Eileen heard that Zachary was not coming in, she was angry.
She did not want to do any extra work. Eileen dislikes her work. Her
work ethic is poor.
work attitude.
Attitude toward
work that has
three components:
attitude toward self,
attitude toward work
(work ethic), and
attitude toward the
workplace.
self-esteem. The
feeling of self-worth;
feeling self-confident.
self-confident. The
feeling of being sure
of one’s abilities.
work ethic. A
person’s attitude
toward his or her job.