"How can I build a more positive attitude and maintain it?" That's a question I'm constantly asked. My typical answer is this: you get a positive outlook by disciplining your mind through repetition. You read positive material every day. You listen to uplifting audio programs. You hang around people who are positive. You use positive language.
But there's one more technique you can use to get a tremendous boost in your attitude:
PURSUE WHAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT!
By passion, I mean an activity that when you do it or even speak about it, you get excited. You come alive. Your enthusiasm bubbles over.
Some people are fortunate enough to be in a career where they pursue their passion each and every day. These are the people who love going to work. Let's face it. If you hate what you're doing all day, it's tough to have a positive attitude.
For the purpose of this course, I'm concentrating on areas where you take an active role. For example, you could be passionate about watching sports as a spectator, but that's not what I'm getting at. I'm asking you to identify opportunities where you can participate. It doesn't have to be something where you work up a sweat.
You could collect stamps or coins or comic books. You could study art history and visit museums. You could write a book. Only you know what gets your juices flowing.
I know what some of you are thinking. You're saying to yourself, "I know what my passion is, but it would be unrealistic for me to pursue it right now. I have a mortgage to pay. I have to help support my family. It's just not possible for me to quit my job and do what I love."
Rest assured, I'm NOT suggesting that you act irresponsibly. You don't have to quit your job to pursue your passion. Lots of people use this as an excuse. The truth, you can treat your passion as a hobby at the outset. That's what I did. I loved motivational materials so much that I started to think about how I could share this information with others. All I knew was that I was passionate about this material and wanted to do something with it.
I was a course advisor for a real estate investment training company. I had known for at least 2 years that I loved to speak of these magnificent powers and I felt that humankind would become aware and more evolved If this information was presented by more people. I began with speaking to friends and family and I imagined "Being" in front of a crowd and speaking and I could see my suit, the stage, how I moved in great detail. If there is something that you desire to "Be" start "Being" that everyday of your life, If you desire to be a writer, then write, a singer start
singing, a dancer start dancing. Whatever you desire "Be" it, most people don't pursue what they love and drift through life negative and un-happy about their life. Make your decision NOW what you are passionate about and start doing that and the Universe opens doors, creates circumstance, and draws people to you to assist you achieve your dream.
I desired to share this information with the world, so I began reading everyday and I listened to motivational audio. I began to write information and before I knew it I hade my very first Personal Empowerment Course. Since then I'm writing several books and I speak all over the country sharing the wisdom that we are in absolute control over our lives.
I'm guessing most of you have a passion you're not following right now. Maybe you want to be a writer. Maybe you'd like to sing, perform in a band, or do stand-up comedy. Perhaps you have talent working with your hands or you're a great cook with some unique recipes. You just know that when you think about it, speak about it or actually do this activity, you feel passionately alive. Time seems to pass quickly. You're completely absorbed and in the moment.
I think every person comes to this earth with special talents to express. You have talents that you bring to the table and you express that talent in a way that nobody else does. You feel positive, fulfilled and happy when you express the talent and you feel like "something is missing" when you refuse to engage in that activity and keep ignoring it.
Nature does not give you the desire to do something that you don't have the ability to do. You have the desire to pursue this passion because it is something you were meant to develop - and more often than not, when you develop this talent and express it, you're going to make a positive contribution to the lives of others as well.
Following my passion led to a career change. But that isn't the case with everyone. You can have lots of fun and enjoyment pursuing your passion while remaining in your current line of work. In fact, you'll find that your enthusiasm carries over to your full-time job.
That's why I keep saying that you don't have to quit your job. Put that excuse to bed. Find some way to do what you love. Take the time you've been watching TV or reading the negative articles in the newspaper and re-allocate it to pursuing your passion.
By the way, just because you're passionate about doing something doesn't mean you'll be able to do it well right away. In most instances, you have to develop the talent, and be willing to face your fears.
I had a passion for communicating motivational ideas, but at the beginning I had no experience in public speaking. I had to develop that talent over a period of years. I also had to learn to improve my writing skills. The same is true with you. Here again, don't use the excuse that you're not good enough to pursue your particular passion. If you love to sing, but you think you're not good enough, take singing lessons. Sing badly at the beginning, but SING!
When you follow your passion, you'll be much more positive and excited about your life. That will transfer over into other activities as well. And you'll be amazed at how opportunities open up for you. I'm not saying your passion is guaranteed to make you a lot of money. It may, but then again it may not.
In any case, don't have money as your primary focus. You'll be a happier, more fulfilled person when you follow your passion. And, take it from me, it's a decision you will never regret, and it will do wonders for your attitude.