Attitude…is a Choice

Andy Atencio

@aatencio

Attitude…Attitude…It is a It is a

CHOICECHOICE

Andy AtencioCity of Greenwood Village

Word Ass-ociationWord Ass-ociation

Most likely responsesMost likely responses• Donkey• Funny

looking• Not a horse• Useless• Ass

Rather than•Hard working•Loyal•Strong

How is your attitude?How is your attitude?• Are you treating people and

situations the same way we think about the donkey?

• Are you discounting the good in them?

• Are you only looking at the negative side and start reacting to it?

Typical methodTypical method

• We take action (react)

• Then we stop

• Then we think about, which comes out in regret and apologies

Thoughtful responseThoughtful response• We stop

• We think through our response

• Then we act

E+R=OE+R=O• Event + Response = Outcome• To often we blame the event or the person for

our outcome• Outcome is a combination of the Event AND our

Response to the Event

Response is BehaviorBehavior is a choice!

E + R = OE + R = O• In the equation we only have total control

over the R

In any given situation 10% is what happens and 90% is how we react

Iceberg effectIceberg effect• Just like the iceberg

is 90% below the surface

• Our experience in any given situation or with any given person is 90% attitude

Choosing to change Choosing to change BehaviorBehavior

1. Decide to change2. Shift your focus3. Curiosity not Judgment4. Attitude of Gratitude5. Don’t be perfect6. Believe in yourself7. Take action… NOW!

Decide to ChangeDecide to Change• The first step in your choice• Decide today which:

o Persono Peopleo Situationo Circumstanceo Task

• Will you change your Attitude about?

Shift your focusShift your focus• Focus on what’s right

rather than what’s wrong• Focus on what you have

rather than what you don’t• Focus on solutions

rather than problems

Curiosity not Curiosity not JudgmentalJudgmental

• Rather than judging ask the questions:o Why is this person or situation like that?o What can I do to change the situation?o What did I do to contribute to the situation?o Is this even about me?

Attitude of gratitudeAttitude of gratitude• Find something to appreciate in:

o Tough timeso A tough persono A tough situation

• When you are feeling frustrated look for things that can be acknowledged.

Don’t be perfectDon’t be perfect

• Stop setting impossibleexpectation on yourself and others

• Chose to accept failure as a useful step in the process of growing

• If expectations are too high and failure is not an option discouragement is born.

Believe in yourselfBelieve in yourself• Attitude is reflected in

action• When you thin and feel

good about yourself it is easier to see others positively as well

• Not ego, but rather self confidence

• What you believe you achieve

Take action… NOW!Take action… NOW!• You can just read some positive statements or

stand in front of the mirror andshout “Positive Attitude”.

• Stop procrastinating and startnow

• What is your action for thenext 7 days?

Choosing to change Choosing to change BehaviorBehavior

1. Decide to change2. Shift your focus3. Curiosity not Judgment4. Attitude of Gratitude5. Don’t be perfect6. Believe in yourself7. Take action… NOW!

Benefits of a good Benefits of a good attitudeattitude

• Increased productivity• Enhanced teamwork• Improved problem solving• Relationship building• Reduces stress• Defuses conflict

Attitude is your choiceAttitude is your choice• With a bad attitude it is impossible to have a

good day

Andy Atencio