#AttitudeAdjustment

 “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” – Robert Kennedy

Change is all around us, isn't it? While much of the change in our lives is self-initiated, one could argue that even more change is catalyzed by external forces. We're reminded of this this month, with the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma – not to mention the observance of 9/11, #NeverForget. For each, the events were inconceivable and catastrophic. By all accounts, they could have broken the spirit of so many. Yet, they did not. Much of this has to do with the attitude and undefeatable spirit which lies within each of us. This month, I find inspiration in those who respond to these tragedies with the utmost fortitude and resilience.

Across our industry and our global business we witness, participate in and actually catalyze change. We do this for our customers, our employees and our partners. We do this for the good of their business, our business, as well as for the good of society.

Nowhere is this change more evident, and rapid, than with technology. It has infiltrated all of our lives, making this great big world a much smaller and more accessible place. We’re connected in ways we never dreamt possible: across cultures, generations, countries, professions, communities and more. In fact, one of the most strategic areas of focus is to ensure that we're enabling first responders to get to those in need as effectively and efficiently as possible. We know from experience that life can depend on it. 

When external forces – whether major or minor – impact us, we are faced with the decision to change. Sometimes this decision happens reactively. Often, it is a proactive choice to shift your focus, to adjust your attitude and to forge on.

Change doesn’t always need to be major. Small changes can make a big impact. For example, at points in our lives we may find things aren’t going the way we wanted. What do we do? Would you agree that reflection is important here? In these situations, I find it helpful to strike a balance of past, present and future. I ask myself: “How and why did I get here? Where am I now? Where do I need to go, and should I change something to increase the chances of me getting there?” I wholeheartedly believe that everything can be a learning experience. 

I believe that navigating your way successfully through change has a lot to do with your attitude. First, position yourself for success. Create your own luck. Define your success, don’t let others define it for you. Don’t ever give up. You may need to change your position and attitude often – sometimes more often than you’d like – to get there. Be flexible and agile.

However, as we all know, even the best-positioned among us may still be disappointed by the result. In those times, I find myself reminded of a quote from Maya Angelou: “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” There is no point dwelling on the things we can’t change. Sometimes, the best way to make a bad situation better is a purposeful attitude adjustment. I’m seeing the people and communities impacted by Mother Nature this month embody this with their #Resilience #Perspective #Love #Community #Caring and, yes, #Attitude

Do you agree that the state of your attitude – and the strength of your spirit – can dictate whether you're successful at navigating through changes big or small? What do you do to adjust your attitude in varying situations? How important a role do you think your attitude plays in driving proactive change, for yourself or others in your life?