The importance of attitude when things happen to us
Find out how your attitude influences your perception and handling of situations. Learn to turn challenges into growth opportunities.
KNOW YOURSELF
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The importance of knowing yourself
In our life journey, an essential tool is self-knowledge, because it enables us to mature. Maturity is knowing how to give each thing the importance it deserves. For that reason, we should understand our strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, thought patterns and behaviour. We will be able to identify how we react to different situations, why we react in that way, not to react impulsively, to solidify conscious habits that guide our actions, with a positive and resilient attitude.
Types of attitude when things happen to us
Attitudes can vary depending on the person and situation. There are common patterns that reflect the way in which people deal with what happens to them:
- Positive: people with a positive attitude tend to see challenges as opportunities for growth. They don’t allow themselves to become overwhelmed by difficulties, they find ways of learning and improving from them.
- Negative: they tend to focus on the bad side of things. They perceive challenges as insurmountable obstacles and feel overwhelmed: they appear hopeless and resigned. They don’t see any possibility of personal growth.
- Neutral: they don’t lean towards the positive or negative. This is an evasive attitude which doesn’t allow for personal development, since they don’t take advantage of learning opportunities offered by challenges.
What attitude should you choose when faced with day-to-day challenges?
There are some strategies that can cultivate a positive attitude to challenges:
- Practice gratitude: there is always something to be grateful for. Cultivating a feeling of gratitude helps us to focus on the positive in times of adversity.
- Change your perspective: obstacles are opportunities for growth and learning.
- Ask yourself what you can learn from the situation and how you can grow from it.
- Keep a flexible mentality: instead of resisting change, accept it as a natural part of life and look for the lessons it can offer you.
- Look after your emotional well-being: exercise regularly, spend time with your loved ones... A healthy mind and body are vital for keeping a positive attitude to life.
How to keep a positive attitude to life
Practise self-compassion
Be nice to yourself, treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer a friend in times of difficulty.
Visualise success
Visualise your goals and dreams as if they had already been fulfilled. This will help you to stay focussed on the future and overcome obstacles with confidence and determination.
Look for support
Share your joys and challenges with your loved ones and look for support when you need it.
Find the purpose and meaning
Identify your values and what is truly important to you in life and what helps you to keep a positive attitude, even in the hardest times.
By cultivating a positive and resilient attitude, we can transform challenges into opportunities and personal development. Although we can’t always control what happens to us, we can always control how we choose to respond to it.
