Attitude is Everything: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action (Hardcover)

by Keith Harrell (Author) "As far back as I can remember, I've heard about the importance of a positive attitude and the powerful effect it could have on my..." (more)
Key Phrases: attitude into action, attitude talk, Attitude Tool, Big Blue, Pastor Dollar (more...)

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

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Collins; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006019605X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060196059
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #901,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Janell Thomas (Washington,DC USA) - See all my reviews

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Mark A. Sturgell "PDN Coach" (Decatur, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Attitude Is Everything: 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action (Audio CD)

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.

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 (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

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.