"Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving their goals, nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude."
-Thomas Jefferson

We spend so much time concerning ourselves with someone's skills or experience, especially when we are looking at hiring or promoting.

The challenge I have always found is that a resume and previous jobs tell you nothing about the person's attitude. I have found that a positive attitude towards life, work and other people is the critical ingredient for success in life.

Positivity and optimism are to be treasured and valued, especially in a world where the mainstream media practices the business strategy of magnifying fears (fanning the flames of negativity and pessimism) to gain readers or viewers.

One of my favourite interview questions is to ask: On a scale of 1 to 10, how lucky do you think you are? Answers of 7 and above are what I look for. How lucky a person perceives they are directly correlates to how optimistic and positive they are. Try it, it might just save you from making a bad hire.

As for ourselves, we must work at continuously strengthening our optimism. I have a habit of asking myself this question every morning:

What are ten things that I really appreciate and that I am fortunate to have in my life right now?

Try it, it can really make a difference in your daily attitude.

Optimism attracts other positive minded people and great opportunities will be attracted to you as well!

Ross McBride
Managing Director
The Personal Performance Centre

Mr. McBride does corporate education seminars, CEO/Executive coaching and keynote speaking engagements for successful organizations in North America, Asia and Europe.  He is an expert on subjects as diverse as Negotiation Skills, Leadership, Teambuilding and Sales.

Please visit our web site at www.personal-performance.org.