While the economy is showing a glimmer of hope, are you? I truly believe we get so caught up in our own issues, negativity and problems that we sabotage our own capabilities.

Start today to elevate your thinking and dust off that positive attitude that is hiding under the guise of “bad times.”

1. Hang around positive people
2. Got Negative? Remember you are in control of how you think.
3. Stay realistic. A realist, vs. a optimist or pessimist, says you have the wrong size glass.
4. Access enough news to stay up to date.  Otherwise, turn it off!
5. Add joy and fun to your life.  Enjoy the spring, take a walk, go bowling or picnic at the park.
6. Volunteer – 2 hours a month is all you need to lift your spirits.

7. Read, learn and apply. Go to the library.
I’m off to take a bike ride!  See ya…

Tips for building your spirit:

- Stay hopeful.
- Take risks.
- Volunteer two hours a week.
- Celebrate with your family.
- Enjoy the outdoors.
- Share a positive thought.
- List reasons for gratitude.

The enthusiastic, to those who are not, are always something of a trial. – Alban Goodier

2. Self-confidence: When you feel that you can handle life’s challenges, you create the capability to move forward in a positive manner. This is self-esteem. The external application of self-esteem spills over into self-confidence.

Tips for building self-confidence:

- Maintain a strong belief in your own competencies to stop the thoughts of vulnerability.
- Review your talents and build from them. Check your weaknesses and if they are the problem, learn to change them. It’s your personal responsibility.
- Cancel your membership in the whine and cheese club. “Oh, cheese, this is so hard — being at war with the economy in the tank and our troops overseas.” (You can hear the tone can’t you?)
- Keep your focus on being problem-oriented rather than danger-oriented. Understand that there is a problem to be solved not a threat to your life or well-being. This helps solutions appear quickly.
- Rise above it. Pretend you are in a hot air balloon and lift your thoughts over the issue to get a new view.
- Picture what you want vs. what you don’t want. Be careful of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy by being sucked into a negative downward spiral.

Leinart choose not to mope or become a distraction to the team’s success.  “It took me a little while just to sit back and say, ‘You know what, I can be a distraction. I can be all mad and point the finger and be that guy who is not supportive.’ Or I can say, ‘I’m going to be a good teammate.  I’m going to support Kurt and work my butt off and prepare every day like I’m the starting quarterback, ‘” Leinart says.  His attitude is adjusted because he understands that experience is the best teacher thinking, “I’m not a bad quarterback.  I just happen to be on the same team with this guy, Kurt Warner!”

What else do you think is important to keep your job?  Marsha