5 Ways to Boost Your Positive Attitude

So much of success in life has to do with attitude.

If you get your mind in a positive zone, there's little that can hold you back, at work, at home, or anywhere else.

Here are five simple ways to keep your attitude up--and yourself successful--even in difficult times:

1. Manage rejection.

It is easy to get discouraged when unwelcomed events occur. The trick is to put them in perspective: Most will pass and become unimportant with time. It's easy to feel like a single failure or rejection is the end of the world, but it never is. In fact, setbacks often give you an opportunity to turn a rebuff into a win. One time early in my sales career, I was literally thrown out of a prospect's office because she felt I hadn't respected her tight schedule. I went back to my office, wrote a letter of apology, and sent a gift designed to make her job easier. She became a good customer, and we became lasting friends.

2. Rid yourself of resentment.

Ongoing resentment erodes your attitude and spirit, and gives the false impression that you have no control over your life. But you made the choices that put you where you are, and you'll do no good by blaming your circumstances on others. Accept responsibility. Accept that you are the master of your ship--and take command. To keep a positive attitude, embrace the concept that there are no justified resentments in life.

3. Associate with positive people.

Negative people pull others down. If you want to stay positive, stay away from them. Spend as little time with them as possible. Positive people, on the other hand, are almost always winners, and their success rubs off on those who associate with them.

4. Compliment at least one person every day.

When you compliment people, it makes them feel good. Even better, it makes you feel good. You did something nice for them and lifted their spirit. One word of caution: Only make sincere compliments. If you fake it, people will be able to tell, and they'll look on you with suspicion.

5. Be enthusiastic.

Enthusiasm is contagious and draws others to you like a magnet. You might not always feel enthusiastic, but fortunately there's something you can do: Force it! As Dale Carnegie taught, "When you act enthusiastic, you will be enthusiastic."

Positivity is a precious commodity in this chaotic world, but those who cultivate it regularly end up better off. Using these tips as a starting point, look for a chance to infuse your day with happiness!