Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 14 Strategies for a Positive Attitude
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3. Focus on the Positive
If one aspect of your job gets you down, don’t let it overshadow the
positive aspects. Mardryka did not enjoy working with cranky patients.
However, when her patients were irritable, she tried to make them feel
better. Her focus was on the good she could do each day. She used
her skills to make others feel better. It gave her satisfaction when they
greeted her warmly. She felt that putting up with the occasional cranky
patient was worth all the times when she felt good about her job.
Focus on the positive in your work and in your relationships on the
job. Remember, you can have good working relationships with everyone,
even with those who differ from you in many ways. Focus on the values
and goals you share, such as building a productive department.
4. Communicate
Communication is your link with others. When you feel isolated at
home or at work, your lines of communication need to be repaired. It’s
hard to keep a positive attitude if you feel misunderstood.
Practice good listening and communication skills every day. Be sure
that you say what you mean and that you hear what others are saying.
Ask questions if you do not understand something. When you give
directions, make sure your listeners understand you. Ask them to repeat
your instructions back to you or to explain what you just told them.
5. Turn Unexpected Changes into
Opportunity
Human beings are creatures of habit. It is the rare person who likes
surprises. We are comfortable with the familiar—friends, supervisors,
coworkers, routines, foods. However, change is an inevitable part of life. If