Your Attitudes Define You

Life is always a matter of attitude, especially when you interact with other people. Regardless of your achievements, wealth or personal situation, your attitudes say a lot about you. Find out more here.
Your Attitudes Define You

Last update: 17 October, 2021

It doesn’t matter what college degrees you have, what your job is, or where you live. It’s the way you relate to others and your attitudes towards them that say everything about you. In other words, how you behave with those who need you, those who love you, and even with those who don’t like you very much.

Kindness, altruism, and solidarity are easy words to pronounce. However, when it comes to exhibiting these qualities, it can be a rather more complicated process. Nevertheless, if you manage it, they’ll be the qualities that define your personality, and for which you’ll be remembered.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

Winston Churchill-

Attitude

Attitude is the way you approach the different situations that you have to face in life. They’re the habits that characterize you and that everyone knows about you. For example, if, when you enter a store you greet the salespeople or when you see a person in need, you don’t hesitate to assist them, you’re exhibiting various attitudes. Attitudes such as kindness, politeness, generosity, and altruism.

Faces drawn showing different attitudes

This word is often used in business or in relationships, but you might not realize that it’s applicable to everything that happens to you. It applies when you face obstacles, get back up after falling, or gradually increase the difficulties of the goals you face.

Attitude is nothing without the actions that manifest it. Without a doubt, these acts are what define us as people, friends, partners, colleagues, and citizens.

Is attitude born or made?

Starting from the basis that you have good intentions and that you have the necessary resources at your disposal to advance along these lines, you might think that attitude is innate. However, it’s not that simple.

As a matter of fact, the messages you receive from society regarding what’s right and what’s wrong and the accumulation of your own experiences also have a lot to say in shaping your disposition towards life. This is because your attitudes are extremely sensitive to the reinforcement they receive.

Attitude is also learned. For example, if you were rewarded as a child for behaving well in a certain situation, you’ll probably perform the same behavior when you next encounter a similar one. Furthermore, it’ll be easier for you to acquire similar behaviors. For instance, as an adult, by perhaps always trying to be punctual.

The value of your actions

Every time you say or do something, you’re communicating with the people around you. This can have positive or negative consequences. It doesn’t really matter what you’re thinking because no one can get into your head. For this reason, only the facts are valid and you should be careful that it’s only these that you put into words.

There’s no use in thinking “I’ll help this person” if you don’t actually do it. In fact, if you behave like this, you’re lying, both to yourself and to the other person (if you’ve told them you’ll help them). Consequently, you’re projecting the image of being someone unreliable, whose words don’t really mean anything. Indeed, nobody, not even you, would place a bet on you fulfilling your promises.

As well as your relationships with others, your attitudes also concern your own dreams, ideas or goals. However, even if they’re the best in the world, if you don’t  put them into action, they’ll be of no use to you.

Words go, attitudes stay

Talking and talking, but not acting, is also a way of ensuring that others develop the wrong impression about you. If you want to convey something and what you say is truthful, you must always accompany it with the right attitude.

Remember, actions don’t disappear and aren’t forgotten. You have to always show your authenticity and be true to your values. Above all, don’t promise something that you’re not sure you can fulfill.

Are you convincing and are your actions consistent with your words? Do you always say everything you want to say or do you keep things to yourself? Reflect on your way of being and acting with others and put yourself in their place.

Your attitudes help set you apart

Young man holding the hands of an old woman with caring attitudes

It isn’t your clothes, your hairstyle, or the way you walk that makes you who you are. What really sets you apart from the rest is your attitude to difficulties and achievements in the face of your victories and defeats.

In today’s world, we’re used to mass-produced products. For this reason, we tend to forget about those made by hand. The kinds that are unique and unrepeatable. You have to be like that handmade piece that’s worth so much more for its handiwork and design. You want to stand out from the crowd and not be the same as everyone else. You must be responsible, make no excuses, anticipate the facts, be positive and have the ability to manage your emotions.

Don’t forget to keep your promises, think before you act, and analyze what things you do to improve the impression you give to others and the way you, and they, define you.

“The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.”

-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry-


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.