Have you ever known someone who had a terrible attitude?  Perhaps they were extremely negative and pessimistic and not much fun to be around; or they complained non-stop about how terrible their life was.  Did you find it draining to be in their presence?

A negative attitude will not only make you miserable, but everyone around you too!

A positive attitude, on the other hand, turns you into a person that everyone wants to be with; a person that constantly experiences great things, and a person who loves their life!  Do you want to be that kind of person?  If so, read on for some easy ways to develop a positive attitude.

1) Do what you love. This applies to hobbies and fun activities, but it also pertains to one of the biggest parts of your life – your work!  Do you enjoy your job?  Are you spending most of your time on something that makes you feel purposeful and fulfilled?  If not, consider exploring other career options and moving toward a job you’ll love.  When you regularly do things that make you happy, you can’t help but feel better about yourself and your life, which fosters a positive attitude.

2) Expect the best, always. It’s easy to get into the habit of seeing doom and gloom in every situation, but doing so keeps you forever focused on the negative.  Instead, make a conscious decision to expect the best, even if your first impulse is to think negatively.  Affirm as often as you can, “This is going to work out great!  Wonderful things are going to happen today!”  The more you do it the more you’ll begin to believe it, and the more you’ll begin to experience just that.

3) Build yourself up. Think and speak positively to and about yourself every day.  Most of us are in the habit of talking down to ourselves, which leaves us feeling hopeless, frustrated and pessimistic.  Get into the habit of building yourself up with positive self-talk and positive thoughts.  Affirm your good qualities and downplay your negative qualities.  Affirm that you are a work in progress; not perfect but great nonetheless!

4) Build others up. As often as you can, make an effort to encourage, support and compliment the people you encounter each day.  That goes for people you know as well as strangers you meet in your daily travels.  The more you focus on emphasizing the positive in others the more likable you’re going to be, and the better you’re going to feel about yourself too!

5) Think strength. The more you worry about your weaknesses and “failures” the more pessimistic and negative you’re going to feel.  Instead, consistently affirm your strengths, talents and capabilities.  You’ll end up feeling empowered and in control of your circumstances, which cannot help but improve your attitude!

Many times, when you take a deeper look at some of the factors that cause people to feel depressed and unhappy is the simple fact that they feel their lives lack meaning and direction.

The great news is that it is a very simple process to give your life meaning and direction. All you need to do is find a purpose for your life. Now I know that that sounds difficult, but trust me, when you understand what to do and how to do it, it really easy; and I want to show you how.

Even if you aren’t depressed and unhappy, defining your purpose can help you; and understanding who you are and what you want out of life can help you achieve more, and be more. One of the best benefits is that it can also help you make better decisions each day…and better decisions lead to a great life.

Okay, let’s begin! Please know that finding your purpose may take some time and thought because what you are doing is very important and very meaningful. But the thing is, is there anything in life that is more important than you and your wellbeing? Is it worth the time to invest in yourself to reach what you believe is a successful life? Once you have made the decison that you are important, we can move on together with this exercise.

Are you ready? Great, let’s move!.

Here are five steps to help you get this done…

Step One: Look Back
Think about your past especially the high points and successes. Make a list of all your successes and all the points of pride and accomplishment. Spend time simply thinking about your childhood, school years, and other phases of your life so you can make a list that is as complete as possible. Do you spot any trends among these accomplishments and successes?

Step Two: Look Inside
Make a list of positive words or attributes that people use to describe you such as hard working, creative, passionate, or determined. Then make a list of words or attributes you use to describe yourself. What are your gifts and talents? Make sure to list the ones that you don’t currently use as well as those you currently develop and utilize. After reviewing and comparing these lists make a list of five or six core values that are your top priorities.

Step Three: Look At Your Dreams
Now take the time to dream a little. If time and money were no object how could you contribute to the world, your family, your career field, your friends, and your community? What are your passions? What moves you, excites you, or angers you?

Step Four: Look Ahead
Review your notes from Steps One, Two and Three and identify your top goals and priorities. Make a list of these and then number them in order of importance.

Many times, there are many of us who often wish we were born somewhere else, raised by a different family, and lived in a different surroundings, but do you realize that all of this has a huge part in your life’s purpose and it’s fulfillment.

Life purpose geography is really important because of 3 simple things
1. Where you are determines who sees you
2. Where you are determines what opportunities and favor come to you
3. Where you are determines who you will reach with your life’s gifts.

Let’s look at life purpose geography from another perspective. What would have happened to apartheid if Nelson Mandela was not located in the geographical region of South Africa.

What would have happened if Mother Teresa was never in [India]? The truth is I doubt the world-wide impact that these 2 people and the the countless others we didn’t name – would have ever been experienced by the human race.

So indeed your location does play a vital role in your life’s purpose, who sees you, what opportunities you are given to impact the lives of other, and who you will reach.

Take the time to explore your geographical area and how it may impact your life’s purpose…you may be surprised that you really are positioned in the right place for the most impact with your life.

Now it does not matter Whether it’s the beginning of a new year or we’re half way through, you still want it to be your best year ever…and you are no doubt, doing some planning for how to make this happen.

You are doing some planning aren’t you?

I’d like to recommend that you take some time to really clarify your Purpose and Vision. Clear purpose and vision are really the keys to giving you a better focus and direction in your life. When you know exactly where you are headed and what you want to accomplish, your life becomes simpler and easier to manage because you only have to focus on those specific things. Unfortunately, getting a clarity on life purpose is something that is all too often lacking in most people’s lives.
Here are a few ideas to help you…

Your life’s business is simply the special thing that you are assigned to handling in this world…it is kinda like your special assignment. You begin to figure it out because you passion, your skills, & your gifts all work together to make you the best possible candidate for successfully carrying out this type of work. Your life’s business find true success in serving humanity in some way.

Here are Three simple questions to think about as you seek to re-ignite the connection between your life’s purpose and your life’s business: What do you really want out of life? What do you really not want in your life? What would you be willing to give up in order to live the life you want? Answer these questions honestly and then begin using this guiding start to build what you would be happy doing for the rest of your life around. Talk about a purpose that would set you on fire. When it comes to creating your vision, simply think of the absolute greatest outcome that you can possible imagine that you could deliver from your life to others.

Build your vision around being “the resource” that works to deliver that.*Examine your values and principles and then determine what you want your business to be in the future. Find your favorite way to relax quietly and let your mind open to dwell in what’s possible.

*Imagine yourself in a private movie theater watching a movie of your future self in 10 years. As the movie ends you notice you’ve been joined by the star of the show. Ask them any question you want about how they got to that place of great success in the movie. What was your future self’s purpose and vision. This may seem silly to you at first, but if you open your mind up to accept that the visioning process will work, you’ll be amazed at the answers that will emerge.

To be satisfied and fulfilled you must do something you love to do. But it is not always easy to do that.

You will find yourself drifted away from doing what you love and do other things to just make a living.

You may be successful but not satisfied and your soul may be looking for something bigger to pursue. Without being clear about the reason why you are here in life you will not feel passionate about what you do and you will not experience true satisfaction and fulfillment.

Everything in life has a reason for existence. Until you discover the reason for your existence you will not live a life of awakened soul.

Without a purpose you will be sidetracked in your life’s journey. You will drift from your right path and achieve little. You will not be able to inject passion and enthusiasm in the activities you do.

Without a purpose you will loose your power in front of hard times. When you face challenges you need a strong will and a motivator to help you persist and stand against challenges. You need a guide to help you decide how to respond to difficult moments in your life. So, having a purpose and a big dream empower you against obstacles in your life’s journey.

Without a purpose you will not excel at what you do. You only become your best when you do something you love because it reflects your highest talents.

You will find yourself gaining energy from your work and feel like you want to be working on it forever. And you will be willing to learn and improve yourself everyday.

Without a purpose you will not be able to give your best and serve others. When your actions align with your life purpose you will find yourself automatically serving others.

Having purpose makes it easier to achieve what you want. Because when you have a clear vision and purpose you will radiate powerful positive energy that will attract people, resources, and opportunities that will help you achieve what you want.

Everyday your mind receives tons of information and will only filter what is important to you. So your purpose will act as a powerful filter that will fine tune all the information you receive and select what matches with your life purpose.

Be clear why you are here and discover your purpose of existence. This will create a meaning to your life and work and attract all people, resources and opportunities to help you achieve your goals faster than you can imagine. Start now discovering the purpose behind everything you do and live life full of passion and satisfaction.

My friend you can make a difference.

I believe in you.

The secret to making life changes is to take many steps, even small ones, and pretty soon you’re getting somewhere. Start looking for specific ways to make your life better, and to improve yourself; and even if you don’t accomplish anything immediately, you are preparing yourself to win. Sometimes just thinking about change, sets your mind and your motivation in motion.

Know just to be clear, we’re not looking for an excuse to avoid difficult tasks here, but you wouldn’t expect to quit cigarettes, lcohol, and complaining all at once, right? The secret lies in working to just make things better today, in any small way.

Oftentimes, just seeing those small results will motivate you for attempting the more difficult steps.

Here are 2 simple actions to consider.

1. Write down some things you’d like to change. This makes the possibility more real, and gets your mind working. Eventually you can make this “wish list” into real goals, with a specific plan.

. This may seem irrelevant, but a good mood makes life better. for example—have you ever bough a specific model +  color car before and as soon as you got going, you started seeing that same model everywhere? Why, because you were mentally in-sync with that car. The same thing happens when you get in-sync with an idea or dream.

Imagine how it will affect your frame of mind to start seeing good things everywhere. If you thought about the whole process, you realize that you never build a house all in one shot—it’s too difficult—so you build it one board & nail at a time.

Now most people would not even care or blink a second time because if a problem doesn’t affect them directly, they ignore; yet I keep thinking that it seems strange we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamor.

So here is the million dollar question that every person on this planet either asks directly, or have sitting in the back of their minds. “What does it take to be a cut above the rest?” Here are 7 simple things you can think about and work on to improve yourself.

1. Know your purpose
Most people spend their entire lives wandering with very little or no life direction – hoping that they’ll find happiness, health and prosperity? To live successfully, you must identify your life purpose or mission statement — this will give you  your own unique compass that will lead you to your individual success every time.

2. Know your values
You’ve got to know What do you value most in life. Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, and life improvement. You should always set your life goals based on your life values, and if the goal doesn’t align with any of your top five values – you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

3. Know your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it’s too late!

4. Know your passions
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be…go after the things you are passionate about in life—you only have one chance at living—use it wisely

5. Play To Your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three – if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others. Playing by your strengths always gives you an added advantage in life.

6. Serve Others
Have you ever heard the term “Service Above Self”? What most people don’t realize is that we become more fulfilled as human beings when we share our lives with others by serving in the areas of our life gifts. Doing something good for someone who appreciates it always make you feel better than just doing it for yourself. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving your talents to the world around you, you give back – and the rewards for sharing your gift brings a sense  of significance we all want in our lives.

Use these 6 simple tips and experience a better life starting today…

Each of us was born to be great…

Each of us was born to contribute significantly in some way that changed the world, or changed the life of a single person…

Each of us was born to live a life of influence, impact, and contribution, and die leaving a legacy of how our lives improved the lives of countless others, simply by coming in contact with them and sharing our greatness.

However, we were all born to be great in unique ways. This is what makes the difference.

Each of our paths to greatness, follow a unique trail that only we are qualified to walk on to reach our destiny.

Greatness is made to be fulfilled in your life and mine, however, that greatness must be built around who we are created to be as individuals; it must be built around the unique persons that we are, or we’ll spend most of our lives fighting to find something on the outside, that is birthed from deep within our souls.

Everyone knows that regardless of how good it looks, an imitation is nothing more than a substandard version of the real thing; whether it’s a bag, an electronic device, or someone pretending to be someone else, it is a clone, a copycat, an imitation; and the truth is, that while people may not always say it, most of them prefer to be connected to something that is authentic, rather than an imitation of the real thing.

Since that is the case, why do we often work hard at trying to become someone and something we’re not? Many people spend more of their lives trying to live someone else’s life, which leads to emptiness and frustration by the way, rather than working daily at releasing the greatness that already exists inside of them.

We all have a yearning, a longing, and an insatiable urge to do something tremendous with our lives. We all have that deep desire to make a difference in the lives of those we care about.

We all want to be known for something significant, and to be remembered for something great. Yet, the problem often is that we spend most of our lives looking for that greatness on the outside, and when we finally figure out that it really comes from within us, oftentimes, it’s too late to do anything significant.

Too often, people live their lives without taking a chance to produce greatness from their lives, then they die in regret about what could have been, and what opportunities they should have taken. This my friends, is not the path you should take with your life.

You have the opportunity right now, to take a risk, to take a chance at walking according to the greatness that already lives inside you; you have the opportunity starting right now, to significantly impact the lives of those around you; to change someone’s world or the world at large; within you, there is a wonderful and powerful seed of greatness that if you make a decision to unlock it’s riches in your life, will transform your world into an exciting, passion-filled, exhilarating, fulfilling existence that will give you the satisfaction and enjoyment you crave in your life, and the ability to really impact others.

You have the opportunity to create a legacy that lives long after you’re gone; you have a chance to be known for something great…and you can do this.