R. PETCHIAMMAL
I EIE
Attitude refers to a person’s general outlook toward life. A person’s attitude is also mirrored in the beliefs they hold and the behaviors they exhibit. Attitudes can either be positive, negative, or neutral and they shape the way we perceive the world around us. Our interaction with the world is highly influenced by our attitude. William James of Harvard University said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind”. This statement by William James is very much true.
For example, when it suddenly rained this summer, some people felt happy while others felt unhappy. Those who were happy likely appreciated the temporary relief from the intense summer heat. In contrast, those who felt unhappy might have thought the rain would worsen the summer heat. This simple situation illustrates how your attitude determines whether you feel happy or unhappy.
Our attitude can significantly impact our lives. Attitude determines a person’s behaviour.
For a person with a positive attitude, even a failure could become a life lesson that takes him a step further toward success. On the other hand, for a person with a negative attitude, even a great opportunity could turn into a stumbling block. It is not what lies outside you that decides your destination, it is what lies inside you that matters. Life comes with its own challenges and all you need is a right attitude to untangle those complex knots.
We cannot deny the fact that external factors such as environment, experience, and education do play a major role in determining one’s attitude. In a positive environment, even a marginal performer could outshine himself and in a negative environment, even the greatest performer could lose his shine and fall. Similarly, our various life experiences and the different ideologies that we have been taught throughout the years decide our attitude. But, what matters the most is that attitude can be changed. As the famous story of the coloured balloon goes ‘it is what’s inside us that ultimately matters.’ All you have to do is decide, practice, and change.
In today’s critical world, maintaining a positive attitude holds even greater importance. It contributes to success in both personal and professional realms. Just as a sturdy building relies on a solid foundation, so too does success rely on attitude. Wear the right attitude, walk majestically, and conquer the world.
