Wanted: Positive Attitude

It all begins with your attitude. You've no doubt heard the phrase Your attitude determines your altitude. A positive attitude will not only help you to find a good job but also help you hold on to your work in a competitive market.

Many employers say a positive attitude is one of the personal traits they value most highly in their employees.

When you have a positive outlook, you work more effectively. It will give you more energy and focus as well. Co-workers view you as a valuable team member and you increase your own level of satisfaction and success.

GETTING WORK

If you’re currently looking for work, take some time to examine your attitudes and beliefs about work search. You might believe it’s just a matter of time before you connect with the right employer. On the other hand, you may be letting your worries about finding a job stress you out.

Is there anything more grueling than the job search? Ask any job seeker, and he/she will probably say no. Between the endless waiting and instant blow of rejection, the job search is a difficult time for many. When going through tough times, it’s often said that maintaining a positive attitude toward the situation can carry you through, same goes for the job search! A positive attitude during the job search can not only help you emotionally, it can help your actual search, as hiring managers appreciate seeing confident candidates. Follow these tips to help build a positive attitude while job hunting:

Accept Rejection

Not every job is perfect for your skillset, and if you have been applying to many positions, you might be facing rejection. The job search can be a long process riddled with rejection, and if you let it bring you down, you won’t learn from the experience and do better the next time; you will just be worried about getting rejected again.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

Avoid negativity like the plague! It will do you no good hanging around people who are constantly discussing bleak job outlooks and stories about this guy they know who was out of work for a year. Surround yourself with supportive people who want to lift you up.

Maintain a Routine

Don’t devote your whole day to only applying for jobs; you will burn out and get frustrated quickly. Maintain a normal routine and stay active. If you make room for things like exercising, visiting friends, spending time with family and even down time, your days will feel more balanced and less pressured.

Volunteer

There are many good reasons to volunteer during your job search. While volunteering, you can meet possible connections to job opportunities, bolster your resume by showing you stayed active and most importantly, it will give you a sense of accomplishment. Positively impacting somebody’s life is an uplifting feeling, so devote some time to a cause you care about.

During the job search, there are days where positive feelings might be few and far between, but if you follow these tips and work to stay optimistic, you will see the job search become smoother. Believing in yourself and your abilities will keep you energized for the hard work of looking for work. Also, a positive attitude can make all the difference in a job interview.

KEEPING WORK

Having a great attitude for each workday starts with showing up on time and requires investment in every moment after that. You attack important projects and busywork with equal zeal. You focus on solutions rather than problems. Above all, you avoid acting like a drone that mindlessly completes tedious tasks and secretly wishes to be anywhere else than at your desk.

The way you approach your work will help you hang on to it. Follow these suggestions can help you maintain a positive attitude:

Stay Away From Negative Co-workers

Nothing is worse than someone walking over to your desk every single morning complaining about the job. What’s even worse is when you come in ready to put in a solid day’s work and your coworker wrecks your positive outlook.

Staying away from negative people is vital. The next time they come over, make sure you are too busy to engage in the regular negative conversation. Try surrounding yourself with positive and motivated coworkers. Once the Negative Nancy’s see your new positive vibe, they will get the hint that you don’t have time to engage in negative conversations. Even if they don’t at first, they will eventually get the hint.

Good Communication With Management

Open and continuous dialogue with your manager can go a long way. Nothing wreaks more havoc on your week than a problem arising due to miscommunication with management or fear to take suggestions to your boss. With continuous dialogue comes good rapport – which leads to trust. Once you’ve established a sense of trust with management, your workplace becomes a whole new world.

Remember Your Purpose and Goals

The workplace is constantly evolving, and with changes, you can sometimes forget your purpose for taking the job in the first place. Stay focused on why you are there and what your goal is no matter how much change comes. One tip is to find inspiration with motivational quotes. Keep the quotes fresh and change them out depending on what aspect in your life you need to kick into gear. If you can wear ear phones at your desk while you work, listen to your favorite music that puts you in a good mood. You can even find some motivational speakers on YouTube to listen to when you need that extra motivation.

Take a Fresh Air Break

Working hard and going the extra mile always yields positive outcomes, but we all need a break for some personal time. If you are inside all day staring at a computer screen, then go outside and walk around to get some fresh air. Take your mind off what you have been working on for the past several hours. Checking out for 10-15 minutes and getting some fresh air will recharge your mind.

Take Care of Your Health

I think we can all agree that a clear mind is an important piece for performing at our highest level in the workplace, but sometimes we forget about our health. A good diet and regular exercise can keep your positive attitude constant. If you are truly sick, make sure you use a sick day and take the time you need to get yourself feeling better. Trying to work through a seasonal bug can make you feel sluggish, and it may take your body even longer to recover. In addition, people around you don’t appreciate you coming into work if you are spreading germs. If you are taking care of your body and your mind, then you are ready to perform at the highest level possible.

A Few More Suggestions

Do your best. Do each task well the first time.

Focus on work when you’re at work. Use breaks to check in with your social and personal life.

Be a committed team player.

Lend a hand when your co–workers need help.

Do what needs to be done, whether or not it’s your job.

Ask for help when you need it.

Make every effort to add to a respectful, co–operative working environment. Avoid gossip and negativity.

Have a positive attitude to get and keep the work you want

Final Thoughts

In a competitive market, employers want to hire and hang on to workers with an optimistic outlook and a can–do approach. Whether you're searching for work or hoping to keep the job you have, your positive attitude can give you the edge in the hiring process and earn you the right kind of attention on the job.

While working in retail I always got the bottom of the barrel jobs like moving pallets and stocking in the early morning or working the second or third shift which was the straighten the store shelves. But did not get the change to use my other skills like price unit scanning, price changes. It was always the heavy jobs that no one would do even to the point of unloading the trucks in Big Lots for 3 months and a couple of times at Walmart. and at Big Lots you not only unloaded the truck then you stocked the shelves. At Target you had to bring the heavy pallets to the department and unload them then stock them. there were times I cold hardly walk out the door and all the way to my car then dig it out before i got home then shovel myself a place to park at 11:30 to 12:00 at night in the winter. when I was finished I took a OTC pain med and went to bed. My employers took no interest in that fact that i could do more than stock or straighten the shelves.