What is the importance of attitude?

When climbing Mt. Rainier I got about 500 feet from the summit, my head felt like it was in a vice. I was exhausted and yes, I was even in tears. I had given it everything I had and then some. To say that I had worked hard for more than a year to reach the summit of the beautiful glacier covered mountain riddled with crevasses is a gross understatement. I looked for every possible way to kick my butt on a regular basis so that I could be in the best possible shape. I did not want to get close to the top only to find out that I couldn't make it and I shudda trained harder. There was no one alive who was willing to give more or was more dedicated to reaching the summit than I.. Yet, at 500 feet from the top, I did not believe I could take another step. I truly knew the meaning of being completely "spent". I had climbed through snow, slept on the glaciers, crossed 300 feet deep crevasses, crossed ice bridges, and ice ledges. I knew that I had been through the worst of it and the top was so close I could almost touch it. There were 10 of us who started the climb and we were down to 4 of us remaining. I wanted this so bad and I was willing to go through any amount of pain that was required to get to the summit. Almost at the top, my worst fear set in. I wasn't going to make it! My 44 year old, 5'1' - 104lb body just could not push through any more. I did not have what it took! I was not going to be able to reach the summit and look out from the top of that glorious mountain. I told one of my rope partners to unclip me, go forward and pick me up on the way down. He is an ex-professional hockey player. Boy did I pick the right person to quit on! Quitting for him was not an option and he let me know it in no uncertain terms. He didn't hold my hand or speak softly to me, trying to coax me into getting up. He raised his voice and challenged me, repeatedly. After wiping my nose I got to my feet, took my pack off, dropped it and continued with the climb. To call this a struggle is not even a close description of what was going through my mind and body. Finally I made it, when just a short time ago I had all but given up! I had reached the top! Exhausted mentally and physically, yes, but I made it. At 500 feet from the top I almost quit and had it not been for the person who helped me to change my attitude from " There is no way I can go on" to "I'm going to keep pushing, one foot in front of the other until I get there", I wouldn't have made it. I have a lot gratitude for that person who pushed me and would not let me sell myself short 

talk to many real estate agents daily and many share their personal stories of struggle and pain. Not to say that there aren't those who are truly knocking it out of the park this year. I believe that it get's tougher just before it gets better. There were 10 of us who began this climb and only 4 of us who made it. The real estate industry has been cut by huge percentage and it's those who are in the best shape, mentally, who will make it. You have slept on the ice, crossed the ice bridges, crossed the 300 feet deep crevasses, crossed the narrow ice ledges and you may not be able to see it but the top is near. Now is the time to keep good things in your head. Cut out the negative media, read good books that inspire and motivate you. Keep your head focused on the right things. You are almost there! There will be agents who make it through this market and prosper greatly on the other side, it might as well be YOU! At the end of this historic market, you will be standing on top of your own mountain, with far more than a feeling of survival. You will have true success and be a better person and real estate agent for it.

The post below is something that I read on Jeffrey Gitomer's blog and I thought it would be a good time to hare it with all the real estate professionals I know.  Reminding each of us about the importance of attitude is always useful.  Hope you enjoy!

What is the importance of attitude?

Every person, you included, wants to achieve more, earn more, find happiness, be successful, and be fulfilled. At the root of all these elements is attitude. Positive attitude. Your positive attitude.

Every person, you included, instinctively knows that. Yet most people, you included, don't really possess a positive attitude. Oh, you may think you do, but I promise you, you don't.

Most people don't read about attitude.
Most people don't study attitude.
Most people don't practice attitude.
Most people don't live the essence of attitude.
Most people don't live the principles of attitude.
Most people are not dedicated to attitude.
You included.

In fact, you may have never read a book on the subject of attitude.

I believe I was born with a positive attitude, and I believe you were born with a positive attitude. It took 24 years for me to discover mine. I wonder if you have found yours yet.

Everyone, you included, has heard the expression, "Attitude Is Everything!"

Let me break down the elements of that expression for you – maybe for the first time. Attitude controls, rules, affects, and directs your career, your family life, your personal life, and you. It affects or can impact your relationships, your business success, and your health.

Attitude has power. Personal power. And the best part is: YOU CONTROL IT. You determine the way you think about, develop, and deliver your attitude.

In my Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude I explain the simple difference between "positive" and "YES!" When something great happens to you, you don't scream "POSITIVE!" When something great happens to you, you scream, "YES!"

It's subtle, but powerful, language when you come to that mental and verbal understanding.

What language do you speak? No, I don't mean Spanish, French, or English. I mean positive or negative. Attitude language.

The other day I was looking out the window at the pouring rain. "It's gonna be a rotten day," I said to my partner. "I don't think so," said Jessica, in a soft, reassuring tone. You see, from where she was sitting, she couldn't see the rain, and was thinking about "the day" not "the weather."

It's the small wording of expressions like that, that lead to a "bad day" for anyone. Even you. A rotten day starts with the way you think about it, and the way you talk about it. It's not about the weather outside. It's about the weather inside – inside your mind.

How's the weather where you live?
How's the weather where you work?
How's the weather where you play?
How's the weather where you think?

One of the definitions of a positive attitude is: The way you dedicate yourself to the way you think. And you are in complete control of it.

Thinking positive is a self-discipline. A daily self-discipline. You control it. You make it happen. Or not. Taking positive actions is dependent on positive thought. If you don't THINK positive, you will not BE positive, and you will not DO positive.

There are many definitions of attitude, and there are many ways to look at attitude. Books have been written on attitude that you have not exposed yourself to. All of them are helpful, all of them are good, and all of them must be studied if you want to achieve your positive attitude.

Books like How to Win Friends and Influence People or The Power of Positive Thinking contain the philosophies, strategies, and the connected stories of men and women who have achieved their positive attitude – and can help you achieve yours. You should own them and read a few pages every day. (That's one of the secrets of attitude: read and study attitude for 15 minutes a day). Positive attitude is yours for the taking, all you have to do is read, study, and apply – every day.

The challenge of positive attitude is for you to decide that you're willing to dedicate the time, and that you have the desire to make it happen for yourself.

If you want some ideas for the achievement of attitude, go to www.gitomer.com and enter the words ATTITUDE STARTERS in the GitBit box.