The Importance of Having Positive Attitude

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Positive Attitude Changes Our Lives
Our outlook on life makes all the difference when it comes to dealing with all the difficulties present in life. Life can be hard on people, especially as they grow older and their responsibilities increase, but choosing a positive attitude can help. According to Petty and Brinol, an attitude is “the general evaluation people have regarding people (including oneself), places, objects, and issues” (1). Based on this definition, it is clear that different people evaluate people and their surroundings differently. This is why different people react to a similar situation using different approaches. While other factors such as past experiences and levels of exposure might affect their reactions, their general attitude to life plays a fundamental role. Thus, in this essay, I will argue that having a positive attitude is essential for personal well-being and development, evaluate some of the steps towards developing a positive attitude and explore the common problems we might encounter and how to deal with them through a positive attitude.
Importance Positive Attitude
Life is an experience and challenges and opportunities are part of that experience. But how do we go about life without feeling overwhelmed? There is a common saying that “some people feel the rain, others just get wet.” This saying implies that while the same thing can happen to people, (which in this case is rain), they will always experience it differently. Some will experience the situation strongly, others will experience it lightly. This difference lies in the kind of attitude a person holds. In this section, I will discuss the importance of a positive attitude, especially on personal well-being and growth. A positive attitude influences a number of things in life, including how friendships are formed, and the degree of sharing our feelings and views with others. For a person to be able to share their feeling with others, they first have to be able to view themselves in a certain way. The ability to share our burdens and challenges is fundamental, especially for a young adult, as it enables them to lead a healthy mental life. As revealed by Vogel and Wester (2003), a positive attitude is essential when it comes to seeking counseling services. This is because, with a positive attitude, one is able to embrace self-disclosure without the fear of being judged or exposed. However, as indicated by Vogel and Wester, only a third of people in need of counseling services actually benefit from these services (355). As a result, quite a high number of people, especially young adults, are suffering, mentally and emotionally, because they have a negative attitude, more so towards seeking help.
Further, a positive attitude ensures that instead of people focusing on the circumstances that are out of their control, they can focus on how to respond to those circumstances (Fritz). Thus, instead of just seeing challenges, people with a positive attitude are able to respond positively and come up with solutions. Everywhere we look, whether at school, workplace, or at home, there are problems. What we need most now are solutions, but we cannot provide solutions to our problems if we are more focused on our challenges than what those challenges present to us. Lunney reveals that with a positive attitude, people can be able to yield maximum results in strength training. Strength allows people to endure even the most challenging situations and come out stronger than before. Fritz also posits that a positive attitude influences the results achieved, regardless of the circumstances (21). Thus, there exists a positive relationship between a person’s attitude and their effectiveness in delivering solutions. This is very helpful, especially for young adults who are still figuring things out. It is the road map to personal growth because it enhances effectiveness in all areas of life. A positive attitude ensures that people are able to think ahead, even in times of doubt or crisis (Fritz 20). As such, young adults can become effective middle adults if they possess the right attitude towards life in general.
Also, a positive attitude helps in building self-confidence and self-esteem. People with a positive attitude view themselves as valuable and are able to believe in their abilities (Fritz 32). Thus, when faced with a difficult situation, people are able to deal with it calmly because they believe they have the ability to conquer anything. But Fritz also indicates that a person has to be able to make choices and know their limits so as to build their confidence (24). It is not just about believing in yourself, it is also about taking the right action, based on personal strengths and abilities. For instance, you cannot expect to fly a plane without any training. However, once you know your limitation, you can work around it and make the right decision, such as taking a plane flying course. With time and consistency, confidence is built and you believe more on your abilities. This is something that young people need to know; that confidence is derived from a positive attitude, and a positive attitude ensures that the right choices, even uncomfortable ones, are made towards personal growth.
One good example of how a positive attitude changes our outlook in life is based on the story of Jay Allen. He grew up being paralytic and when he entered middle adulthood, he became wheelchair-bound (Hill). At first, he suffered from an inferiority complex and never accepted who he was. He realized that he had neglected his family in pursuit of his career and superiority. For that to change he had to seek help, something that he had never considered before. He also had to let go of the past negative feelings and in the process, he acquired new freedom, and a new outlook on life (Hill). When he changed his attitude towards life, he was not only able to accept his situation; but also, he was able to live a full life. His self-esteem went up because he no longer focused on his feelings of inferiority. That is what a positive attitude does to a person’s life; it allows people to re-evaluate their situation and surrounding, change what they can and accept what they cannot.
Some people may argue that a positive attitude is not as important and ends up creating more problems for individuals. For instance, people who have not had a full and satisfying life might end up thinking that they are to blame for their misfortunes because they failed to embrace a positive attitude. Yet, sometimes life hands people some bad cards and changing their attitude does not help the situation. Further, they may argue that a functional human being should have both a negative and positive attitude because they all serve their purpose. However, Fritz (105) indicates that a positive attitude helps people to appreciate what they have, rather than feeling depressed because of our shortcomings. This implies that a positive attitude brings some balance in life, and allows people to focus more on living their lives fully, regardless of what life ...