If you didn't know already, attitudes are contagious. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad. However, the bad typically tends to stick around a lot longer. A poor attitude can cause difficulties in your relationships, career, and other areas of life. If you have an attitude problem and are far from living the happy life you want, then you need to adopt new habits to fix it. Here are a few strategies to help adjust your attitude to live a happier life.
Tip #1 - Fully Understand Your Reason for Change and Highlight It
Just like any mental or health crisis, there is always an underlying reason for its symptoms. In other words, the anger or poor attitude you feel is likely a cause of something else going on. The attitude you reflect on the world mostly reflects how you feel on the inside about yourself.
To truly change and fix your problems, you must find the real cause and improve it. Don't make excuses or hide the reasons. Own up to it and commit.
Tip #2 - Release and Adjust Your Expectations
You should never expect more from others than what you expect from yourself. Adjusting expectations is a great way to release yourself from unrealistic pressure and stress. The fact is no one will make you as happy as you can. Stop expecting to find it from others and be willing to accept that you need to do the work to find your own happy. Being in control of your own happiness and life is a beautiful gift.
"There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path."– Buddha
Tip #3 - Practice and Understand Empathy and Gratitude
The moment you feel any bitterness try to see it from someone else's perspective. Maybe you are upset that your food order was messed up. Instead of being angry, think about all the other things the cook, or server were dealing with. Perhaps the cook had a bad day or the server is dealing with family issues. This reframing will help put the situation in perspective and help you to feel lighter and less angry at the situation.
Tip #4 - Make an Actionable Plan
You can't expect change if you don't do anything about it, no matter how much you may want it. Find actual actions you can take to make a difference. Go to counseling, find a support group, and set daily goals. Happiness is a SKILL and skills take work. We have to work at building our happiness each and every day.
Tip #5 - Laugh More
As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. Even if you don't want to laugh, there is something about it that can easily lift your moods and change your mind. Start laughing and see just how easily your perspective will change. It may feel hard to do at first, but your brain will instantly rewire and feel the need to respond. Find a funny YouTube video or ask your friend or loved one to tell you their favorite joke when you feel a negative attitude.
Tip #6 - Stop Taking Everything So Seriously
While it may be easier said than done, not everything is as serious as you want or may think it is. If your actions aren't harming others, yourself, or breaking the law, why waste time or energy? Use this energy and time to empower your world instead.
Remember, you have the power to control your actions and emotions.
You are accountable for your choices and responsible for what you do with your life. The sooner you take responsibility for your attitude, the happier you will be.