6 Ways Your Attitude Affects Your Days and Your Life

Your attitude is your choice. You choose to look at a certain situation as either good or bad.

Positive attitudes beget positive results. You can be having a bad day and it seems everything is going all wrong. Yet, you’re still able to see the good, no matter how small.

Then, there’s the other side of the coin. Having a negative attitude means you’re always expecting the worst in every situation. Even on your best days, you can find one thing or another to complain about.

With this in mind, I’ve gathered six ways your attitude affects your days and your life. Use them to help you turn bad days into good ones. All you need is a bit of dedication and some improvement of your attitude.

Let’s get started.

1. You Surround Yourself with Positive People

No matter how strong and independent we may think we are, we’re actually social sponges. Studies show that emotions can be contagious, just like catching a cold.

Think of the people you spend most of your time with. Are they encouraging and supportive? Or do they seem to be general whiners who make mountains out of molehills?

If it’s the former, then you’re in luck! These are the kinds of people who inspire you to keep at it, even when you’re down on your luck.

If it’s the latter, then try to limit the time you spend with them. Better yet, leave them to their whining and find a more positive group of people to hang around with.

2. You Have a Purpose

Your life plan doesn’t have to be 10 years in advance. It can just be going from week to the next, or even one day to the next. When you have a plan set in place, you move through with a sense of purpose.

If you have a positive attitude, you’ll live life with a purpose. Plus, everything you do will be to serve and feed that purpose.

You’ll also be aware of how you affect those around you. That sense of motivation is what will help keep you going, even when times are tough.

Positive emotions pave the way for emotional resilience. Let’s say you’re faced with a crisis. Having a sense of hope and optimism plays a huge role in helping you overcome the pressure of the situation.

Unfortunately, those who go through life with a negative attitude are only going through the motions. They’re not really living. How could they when they have no real motivation that keeps them pushing forward?

3. You Compare Yourself to Others

We live in a world where everyone is connected. Social media outlets give us easy access to many people’s private lives.

Yet, you shouldn’t use that as a way to compare yourself to others. What you’re seeing is just a glimpse of the actual truth. Behind closed doors, their lives are probably not as picture-perfect. These people have their doubts and insecurities, too. They’re just better at coping with them than others.

Besides, when you compare yourself too often to other people, you tend to sabotage your self-esteem. You also start believing that your life isn’t headed in the direction you want it to. As a result, you get frustrated and even depressed.

The best way to improve your attitude is to compare who you were yesterday with who you are today. Focusing on your own life will make you a happier person, and you’ll be able to achieve much more!

4. You’re More Courteous

One of the most obvious ways attitude affects our lives is also the simplest. Many times, we often forget to say “Please” and “Thank you,” especially with those who are closest to us.

By being courteous when someone helps you out in any way is a great way to improve your attitude. It also forces you to see the good in people and situations.

Also, while you’re at it, don’t forget to be kinder to yourself. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemy. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, treat yourself with some compassion and kindness.

5. You Learn to Forgive

People’s actions, or lack thereof, make us angry and resentful. Yet, being angry doesn’t change anything.

Many times, people do or say stuff without actually realizing they’ve hurt you in the process. You can’t control them, so why waste your time harboring grudges?

Instead, focus on what you can control: your attitude. Having a positive attitude means learning to forgive those who wronged you.

Forgiveness is more about giving you peace of mind. It’s not about letting the other person off the hook.

6. You Take Action

Many times, we put off doing something or making a certain decision. We worry that things won’t go the way we planned or want them to. Fear and panic turn into anxiety, which leads to procrastination.

The best way around this is to just do it! Then, let go of all your insecurities. Worrying wastes time and doesn’t get you anywhere. All it does is increase your stress levels and make you see only the bad in a situation.

Remember, life is for living. So, take a deep breath and jump in! You have a 50/50 chance of things going your way. And if they don’t? You’ll have learned a life lesson, which will mold you into a stronger, wiser human being.

A Final Note

Do you have a better understanding of your attitude now that you’ve read how it can shape your life? Attitudes aren’t snap judgments you make on the fly. They’re formed over time through our life experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

Your attitude is a major determining factor in how far you’ll get in life. It’s an essential part of who you are. You can either allow it to force you into a world of pessimism and self-pity. Or you can learn how to control your attitude and, ultimately, regain control over your life.