It's Your Attitude - You Decide!: Inspiring Words to Help You Start Your Day off Right

January 1

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. - Author Unknown

If you haven’t already noticed, approximately 95% of all New Year’s resolutions fail to be accomplished. The reason for this is simple – no one, even you, actually expects that you will stick with it (whatever it is). Nothing could be more damaging to one’s self-esteem than to constantly plan to fail; so, why do we do it? Does it not seem more logical that we should take up the cause of whatever it is as soon as we recognize that it needs to change or be overcome?

Resolve not this year, but each day, to change that which is changeable only by you – your attitude! – Steve Weston

January 2

To respond is positive, to react is negative. - Zig Ziglar

The point of this quote is that reaction usually involves emotion, which is usually negative in some way, as we tend to react to that for which we are not prepared. One of the secrets of a happy life is to be so well prepared intellectually and emotionally for whatever may come your way, as being in that state which allows you to respond in a positive manner.

Reactionaries emote, Responders think – Steve Weston

January 3

The way you see them is the way you treat them and the way you treat them is the way they often become. - Zig Ziglar

Have you ever noticed that people tend to react toward you in much the same way as you perceive them? What you think about people translates to how you treat them, which creates in them a desire to reciprocate; change the way you see them that they might change the way they treat you.

People are exactly what you think they are, so change your thoughts! – Steve Weston

January 4

The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity. - Winston Churchill

In every situation life brings your way, whether precarious or secure, therein lies an opportunity for personal growth – the secret being that you must look beyond what frightens you to see what can be to your benefit.

The eye of the optimist sees clearly through the fog of danger to recognize the potential benefit that lies ahead. – Steve Weston

January 5

The best way to knock the chip off your neighbor’s shoulder is to pat him on the back. – Author Unknown

A chip can only rest on shoulders squared by perceived mistreatment or distrust; such perceptions can only be defeated by treating your neighbor with respect and kindness.

Relax thy neighbor’s shoulders by way of resting a hand of love upon them. – Steve Weston

January 6

Sometimes life’s Hell. But hey! Whatever gets the marshmallows toasty. ~J. Andrew Helt

In every situation, regardless how dire, you can find something for which you can be happy or from which you can learn. Just because your day has ‘gone to Hell in a handbasket’, as they say, that does not mean that you cannot roast the marshmallows while you are there. Put simply, rather than complain about the situation, make the best of it.

Looking to find the best in every situation is the only way to find it – Steve Weston

January 7

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene. - Arthur Christopher Benson

Too often, we look to change our surroundings, our job, our boss, our…, when what we should change is our thoughts, our actions, and/or our attitudes – for they are what create the need for change.

The greater the emphasis on external change, the greater the need for internal change! – Steve Weston

January 8

When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail. - Abraham Maslow

Have you ever noticed that we tend to pound our way through life, beating into submission everything or everyone who stands between our goals and ourselves; yet, all we gain from the constant hammering is a tremendous headache.

Put down the hammer and pick up a buffer; your life will be much smoother and your headache will disappear. – Steve Weston

January 9

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. - Anthony J. D’Angelo

Cars have headlights, people have smiles – the results, when they are turned on, are the same – the road ahead is well lit and easy to enjoy. In all your travels, whether during your daily routine to and from work, or when traversing the continent on vacation, let not the weather determine your joy factor; allow your joy factor to determine whether you notice the weather.

Dark days are easily lit by warm smiles – Steve Weston

January 10

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. - Audre Lorde

Fear, especially of unknown consequences, all too often limits our ability or desire to try new things or to take risks; yet, the only way we grow is by way of risk-taking. Your strength must come from a deep inner belief in your self and your abilities; do not allow your strength to be sapped by self-doubt.

Fear dies where belief lives! – Steve Weston

January 11

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. - Author Unknown

Though we cannot control the direction our day may take, we can and should maintain control over how we navigate through our day. This is done by way of keeping our sails (attitude) fully stoked by the wind, as we angle our bow (path) slightly left and right to avoid the direct force of the wind.

Bad days, just like strong head winds, can be overcome by adopting a new tack; change your attitude to change the wind! – Steve Weston

January 12

Why not learn to enjoy the little things - there are so many of them. - Author Unknown

Instead of spending the day complaining about your job, the economy, the government, or anything else, why not spend your time appreciating the fact that there was gas in your tank this morning; that you had clothes to wear; that there was food on the table. Or, enjoy the simplest and most over-looked fact – that you have air in your lungs. Each day that you have air should be a good day – it is your choice!

The days become easier the more you appreciate the little things in life. – Steve Weston

January 13

Whatever is expressed is impressed. Whatever you say to yourself, with emotion, generates thoughts, ideas and behaviors consistent with those words. - Brian Tracy

Spend your day generating thoughts that impress upon your mind the joys that are available to you, should you choose to recognize them; and your joy will spread to those around you. Do otherwise, and the only impression you will get or give, is that you are not enjoyable.

Do your thoughts impress you? If they don’t, they won’t anyone else either. – Steve Weston

January 14

When you engage in systematic, purposeful action, using and stretching your abilities to the maximum, you cannot help but feel positive and confident about yourself. - Brian Tracy

One of the best ways to improve your attitude is to improve the manner in which you use your time. Instead of spending your time complaining about work or family, watching brain-dead television, or reading worthless books, engage your mind through great conversations, reading fine literature, watching educational or historical television, or go back to school. Engaging your mind in positive activities will dramatically improve your outlook on life.

Disengage from the negative and engage in the positive and your view of yourself and life will improve. – Steve Weston

January 15

We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt. - Dorothy Day

The old saying that you reap what you sow is never more true than with your attitude – sow seeds of gratitude and you will reap joy; no other seeds will do. It is also important to remember to water the seeds, so they won’t die (kind of like your attitude when it goes sour).

Sow seeds that grow into beautiful plants, not those that produce ugly weeds. – Steve Weston

January 16

The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting. - Christopher Morley

No one who is at the top, started at the top; they climbed the ladder one rung at a time; often, declining a rung or two, then working their way back up. Success in life is not granted to you by way of birth or because you were born in this great land. The only guarantee you have in life is that you are afforded the opportunity to succeed, or fail, based solely on the amount of effort you exude toward the success you seek.

Success, how ever you define it, is achieved only through hard work and due diligence. Wait not for it to come, lest it pass you by; rather, strive for it through meticulous effort. – Steve Weston

January 17

Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest. - Georgia O’Keeffe

Have you ever noticed how many people blame the outcomes of their life on their upbringing, where they were born, or similar such excuses. It is time to realize that the only thing that dictates the outcomes of our life is what we have chosen to do with our life, and how we view the results.

Choose the right outcome by choosing the right attitude! – Steve Weston

January 18

When there is a start to be made, don’t step over! Start where you are. - Edgar Cayce

Quite often, people seeking to move up the ladder of success reach for the second rung; when the start of their climb always begins on the bottom rung. This does not mean that in every aspect of your life you will start at the bottom, just that from where you begin is always the bottom rung of your ladder.

Not all ladders start at the same height, but they all do start at the bottom; so, stop trying to start from where you are not. – Steve Weston

January 19

We tend to live up to our expectations. - Earl Nightingale

As we rise in the morning, if our first thoughts of the day are despair over having to go to work; if we expect nothing to go right; or, if we believe that nothing will ever change for the better, we will most certainly gain exactly that towards which we have set our expectations.

Set low expectations for yourself or for life and you will most certainly sink to their level. Raise your expectations and you will rise up to meet them. – Steve Weston

January 20

You must not only aim aright, but draw the bow with all your might. - Henry David Thoreau

The point of this quote is that though you have set your sights on the right attitude, goal, or other endeavor, without maximum effort, you will go astray and miss the target. You must learn to put all you have into whatever it is you chose to accomplish, lest you find yourself, at the conclusion of your expended efforts, still wanting.

Though you may be flying straight, you may still fall short of the target if sufficient force is not applied at the start. – Steve Weston