No matter what the challenge or how big the problem...your attitude is your best weapon for overcoming adversity. This sounds great but unless you currently have the right attitude or know how to shape attitudes, overcoming adversity won't be easy. Fortunately, attitudes can be developed to face any challenge.
The first thing you need to know about attitudes is the definition. There are many definitions for the word 'attitude', but they all say mostly the same thing. To paraphrase...an attitude is a stance, a posture, or a postion. What this means is you have a choice when it comes to attitudes! Your attitude is not something that you're born with. It's something that is developed from challenges you face in life and more importantly, how you choose to face those challenges. For example, the first time you step out and try something new you may feel slightly insecure, but the more often you venture out and partake of lifes different options, you'll find that it gets easier each time.
Just like a soldier who stands on guard, you attitude can be shaped by choosing to stand a specific way. The soldier stands tall with shoulders back and chest out. This physical posture sends a signal to the brain making the soldier feel a sense of pride, strength, and honour. I speak from experience on this one! When its time to face a challenge stand tall and face that challenge as if you're the imovable object that will break the will of adversity and you'll soon find that the challenge at hand quickly becomes resolved.
"The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer."
- US Armed Forces Slogan
The second thing about attitudes that you need to know is they change depending on the circumstances of the situation you face or where you are in life. This is also a good thing. It means that your attitude can be shaped to face the size of the challenge that you're going to take on. To help you put this into action all you have to do is develp a personal policy for the challenge you face.
For example, if I was a runner preparing to do my first marathon and I was having trouble running first thing in the morning I might make a policy for myself that if I skip a morning run I have to make it up later in the day or evening no matter how inconvenient it might be. Even if it means I have to run at midnight! This may sound extreme, but running a marathon is no joke. It takes a tough policy to help you prepare for one.
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
-Mark Twain
The last thing you need to know about attitudes is that you get to make up the rules so make sure your attitude is the right one. In combat sports you will often run into people that believe the winning attitude is one where you must not respect your opponent or others. After 18 years of being involved in this sport I can honestly say the majority of champions that I have met had great attitudes. That's what made them great! The champions that I met that didn't have a great attitude didn't have much of anything else either. No friends or respect from their peers. Make sure you act and think like a real champion and you'll be able to take on all challenges. With the right attitude, you'll attract others into your life making everything you try to accomplish easier.
No matter what the challenge or how big the problem...your attitude is your best weapon for overcoming adversity. This sounds great but unless you currently have the right attitude or know how to shape attitudes, overcoming adversity won't be easy. Fortunately, attitudes can be developed to face any challenge.