Attitude is Everything Rev Ed: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action [Hardcover]

Keith Harrell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 10, 2005

In the world of professional speakers, Keith Harrell is making a difference. The Wall Street Journal recognized it, dubbing him "A Star with Attitude." Such clients as IBM, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Motorola, GM, Marriott International, and Boeing know it—that's why Keith is one of the most in-demand speakers on the circuit. And, as you read this book, you will know it, too. Keith's star power is indisputable. Now, in this fully revised and updated edition of Attitude Is Everything, he shares the secrets that got him where he is today—and provides you with a program for developing a healthier, happier, more productive attitude.

In Attitude Is Everything, Keith offers an enlightening, inspiring, and practical guide for gaining control of your career and your life by ridding yourself of negative attitudinal baggage, building positive attitudes, and then turning them into actions to help you achieve your dreams.Keith's 10 steps for turning attitude into action:

1. Understand the power of "attitude"
2. Take control of your life
3. Practice self-awareness
4. Reframe your bad attitude
5. Find your purpose and passion
6. Be pre-active
7. Discover how to motivate yourself
8. Build supportive relationships
9. See changes as an opportunity
10. Leave a lasting legacy

Keith developed his methods for putting attitudes into action in the real world of corporate America, and later, as a self-employed professional. He knows what works, and he knows how to help others create positive, empowering attitudes that will help you enjoy a more fulfilling and rewarding life!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"It isn't how much you know about maintaining a positive attitude that's important," writes Keith Harrell, formerly one of IBM's top training instructors and now a popular speaker, trainer, and consultant. "It's how well, and how consistently, you put that knowledge to use." In Attitude Is Everything, Harrell teaches 10 steps for "an attitude tune-up" that "turns attitude into action." Some of these steps are identifying the attitudes that hold you back or propel you forward, reframing bad attitudes, building supportive relationships, and seeing change as opportunity. Harrell weaves his personal stories into the book, such as turning the disappointment of not being drafted by the NBA after college (which he had fully expected) into skillfully landing a job with IBM, even though he didn't have the qualifications and they weren't hiring at that time. In each section, he discusses an attitude concept, illustrates it with anecdotes, and teaches specific strategies for integrating it into your life--all in an easygoing, friendly, and motivating style. For example, the "Your Attitude Tool Kit" chapter opens with Harrell being notified in junior high school that he had to go to speech therapy for his stuttering, as he had for six years, and using affirmations to cure his stuttering on the spot. Then he teaches nine "Attitude Tools," explaining each one and showing you how to put it into action. --Joan Price --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Harrell, a former IBM sales trainer turned motivational speaker, puts the shine back on the shopworn mantra that positive thinking leads to success. A former college basketball star who redoubled his determination to use his "natural born abilities" after he was left behind by the pro team drafts, Harrell enlisted a cousin who was working for IBM to coach him--in dress code, interview technique and more--until he was ready for an informational interview at Big Blue. Not long afterward, Harrell was hired and began rising through the ranks, becoming one of the company's most sought after sales instructors, despite resistance from his bosses and working for less prestigious divisions. Once he began training employees, Harrell knew he had found his calling. His 10-point program expands on the key principle espoused in the title. It's a simple approach, bolstered by Harrell's relentless optimism: this will be a good day because everything I do and say will make it one. For example, when he learns that he'll be stuck in an airport for two hours, he gets something to eat, calls his grandmother and talks to another passenger, instead of fuming about the delay. All too often, the author believes, we allow a ready set of negative mindsets to come into play. Among his "attitude tune-ups," his evaluation of specific negative words and thought processes are especially helpful. This persuasive manual will be most valuable for individuals who wish to change their outlook toward life and work, rather than managers hoping to change their style. 15-city TV satellite tour; 50-city radio tour; 15-city print satellite tour; 5-city author tour. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperBusiness; Revised edition (May 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060795077
• ISBN-13: 978-0060795078
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,380,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super-fantastic book! August 26, 2000

By Janell Thomas

Format:Hardcover

This is the best inspirational book I've read in a long time. If you are a person in need of an attitude make over, this is the book for you. Maybe you are not the one in need of this attitude adjustment but we all know someone who is. Reading this book has helped me to take a closer look at the attitude I carry with me. I now realize there are some very positive things about that attitude and also some negative things that can be changed for the better.

Often times our parents, grandparents, and mentors tell us that we should be mindful of our attitude. It sometimes takes a while for all that advice to sink in, but when it does "oh what a revelation." We all need to take a look at ourselves every once and while and this book will help you do that.

Keith Harrell helps you to understand the power of your attitude on others and particularly on yourself. I HIGHLY recommend this book as a gift to yourself!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, and... March 15, 2006

By Mark A. Sturgell

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the audio-CD version of this book and I am glad I did; I don't think I would have finished it by reading.

The utility of Keith Harrell's book is not as a "self-help" book from the standpoint of helping the reader to identify changes to make in her or his life, then giving you helpful steps to make those desired changes. The value of Keith's story is in his personal stories, which individually and collectively are uplifting and provide vivid examples of "he turned it around, so can I". I identified with some of Keith's stories, which was helpful since they reminded me of my own limiting attitudes and how they effect my "circumstances".

His message reminds me of what I already know, that I have attitudes that are affecting my results, and I need to change certain ones to get the results I really want. Keith doesn't tell me 'how' nearly as well as others might, but he shares a compelling message of 'what' and 'why' attitude is everything. If you recognize the powerful force of your attitudes, both those that propel you forward and those that hold you back, then buy the audio-CD version of this book and listen to it more than once.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Attitude is Not Enough September 10, 2005

By Joseph P. Miller

Format:Audio Cassette

I look for two things from a self-help book or tape. First it should motivate me to make changes in some parts of my life. Second, it should give me some practical tips on how to make those changes. This tape fails in both respects. While the stories are of Keith Harrell's life are impressive, I often found them difficult to apply to my own situation. And his suggestions on how to improve attitude were vague and didn't give me enough to hold on to. There were some valuable sections on these tapes, but overall I was disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars With the Right Attitude Anything is Possible June 30, 2002

By Doris Frayer

Format:Hardcover

When I started reading Keith Harrell's book,"Attitude is Everything," I couldn't put the book down because I felt as if he were talking directly to me. I put "Attitude is Everything" into practice when I gave a presentation a few days later. Before reading the book, I wasn't confident standing in front of people without a podium. I told myself I couldn't do it or I would fail. Well, the night of my meeting, I said "I choose to have a positive attitude and I can and will do this presentation successfully." I gave the presentation and everyone one said I did a very good job. We all need to give our attitude a "tune-up" from time to time just like Mr. Harrell mentioned in the book. I can think of at least a dozen people who I plan to recommend Mr. Harrell's book. I plan to reread the book again and again because it is so inspiring and gives useful information that works.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book August 20, 2003

By Gerri Corey

Format:Hardcover

Attitude Is Everything

After reading this book if you don't come away with changes you need to make in your life or the way you react to situations then you have missed the whole point of the book. This book will leave you energized and with a new passion for life.

In "Attitude is Everything", Keith Harrell will give you 10 steps to show everyone how to take control of their attitude and in doing so their life, which will allow them to reach their full potential. We, alone, have the ability to transform life and reach for everything we want both personally and professionally and all we need is one tool...Our Attitude

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book! It was the catalyst to my new attitude. March 20, 2005

By Shauna Peach

Format:Paperback

I love this book! Keith is an awsome motivational speaker. I have never finished reading a book so fast. It will help anyone who is needing a new start on life. You might just see that the one person holding you back it you. Thank you to Keith for writing this book. :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Pep Talk January 20, 2006

By Owen Keehnen

Format:Paperback

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING is a solid pep talk. Keith Harrell gives great advice in an enthusiastic manner. The book is rich with examples from the authors personal experience and those of his friends and associates. It certainly does the trick in inspiring the reader, however the material is primarily a rehash of material found in other books. If it is a new or novel approach to life changing steps that you're looking for you won't find it here, however if you are looking for a nice spark to jump start your personal goals then ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING is a solid success.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever! May 23, 2003

By GG

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband bought this book at the airport last week to read at the plane, I was the one sticked to the book all the time. I am fully inspired by this book. It's so amazing that the author was able to provide some many convincing real life examples. I had a attitude problem, I admit my weakness and I am going to work on it. Few quotes from the book, "Attitude is a choice, you could choose to be in a good mood or bad mood", "You could concentrate on problems, or focus on solutions", "The word triumph starts with the word try", "The root of happiness is joy, and joy is from your inner thought, you don't have to reply on outside sources to make you happy.".... etc. Reading this book is one of the biggest treasure I have found. I am still on chapter 3 or 4, cuz there are so so many good phrases in the previous chapters I want to read it over again. It's written in plain English, easy-to-read format, unlike some other boring and over-theoretical books. This book is a must buy, no matter what you are originally shopping for today, I guarantee that you will not regret putting this book in your cart.