Problems may be unavoidable, but is our attitude a choice?
There are so many factors out of our control at work, so choosing to control our attitude can be a valuable mindset journey.
"The one thing we have total control over is our attitude".
In the workplace, as in life, we often face circumstances beyond our control. However, the thing we can choose is how we react.
It may sound like a confusing concept. If we have situations thrust upon us, how can we and, perhaps more crucially, why should we claim accountability for them? Because that’s how we can triumph, even when things go ‘wrong’.
By taking a step back and focusing on the one thing we have mastery of – our attitude – we can dictate our own reaction to any given idea, object, person or situation. And when we recognise our autonomy in this way, we are less likely to feel overwhelmed and helpless.
Even better, when we choose to react to things with a positive, growth mindset, it usually means we attract positivity from others, which in turn can help create better outcomes.
So how do we do it? It’s true that lessons on how to change your attitude were not taught to most of us in the schoolroom. However, it’s an important area of self-development to explore. If you’re new to the concept, it’s about accepting that, while we generally cannot change what happens, we recognise that we do choose how we react to things.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you don’t naturally feel certain things. You might still be upset, sad or angry about a situation. Or indeed, excited, joyful or amused. But no matter what emotions you experience, you still have the choice of what your subsequent behaviour will be. This is key because, regardless of how you feel, how you react will greatly influence what happens next.
In the workplace environment, making sure the next thing to happen is positive for you and your team can be key to moving forward and gaining an acceptable outcome, even if something has not gone to plan.
To test your attitude, get curious and ask yourself the question: when things don’t go my way, do I tend to take responsibility, or do I make excuses and blame others? If you answered the latter, it probably means you could benefit from some personal development in this area.
Adjusting your attitude and taking control of your reactions involves some work. But it doesn’t have to be too hard nor take very long. Suncorp Learning Campus (SLC) has a "1-minute Choose Your Attitude" course that takes you through the basics in 60 seconds.
If you’d like something a bit more in-depth, SLC also has a “10-minute Your Attitude” course. The 10-minute version includes a guided self-analysis to show whether you’re generally working ‘above the line’ and taking ownership, accountability and responsibility (OAB) or ‘below the line’ and throwing blame, excuses and denial (BED) at problems as they arise.
Even if you think you’re in your comfort zone, it’s worth checking in on your attitude control every now and again. It has been shown that people who take a positive, proactive approach will generally attract more of the same.
Take these quick SLC courses about attitude to learn more: 1-minute ‘Your Attitude’; 10-minute ‘Your Attitude’, Workplace Attitude: How Attitude Impacts Our Work Results, and Right Attitude, Right Results.
