Keith Harrell, known as America's Attitude Coach, is the author of several books including the bestselling Attitude Is Everything. Keith is known across corporate America for his energetic, innovative presentations on how to be a leader in your workplace. Formerly a top training instructor at IBM, Keith is now an in-demand speaker whose clients include McDonalds, Microsoft, and American Express. He lives in Lakeland Ranch, Florida.

Attitude Is Everything Rev Ed

HarperBusiness

Chapter One

Attitude Is Everything

Step 1

Understand the power of "attitude."

The first thing you need to do to turn your attitude into action is to tap into the power of your attitude. This key step is the foundation on which theother nine steps in this book are built. Attitude is everything.

As far back as I can remember, I've heard about the importance of a positive attitude. I heard it from my parents, teachers, coaches, and supervisors over the years. Not only did I hear it, I saw the powerful impact a positive attitude could have. I've seen it countless times in the lives ofhighly successful people. Some of these success stories make front-page headlines. Those that aren't making the news are certainly making headlines in the lives of those around them. A positive attitude is the foundation of a successful life.

With such compelling evidence to support the theory that a positive attitude pays off, I have made it my lifework to personally embrace a super-fantastic attitude and help others understand that attitude is everything.

Some have questioned my assertion, telling me that attitude isn't everything. That much more is involved in achieving success. Of course, it takes planning and hard work to reach your goals. I believe it is absolutely critical that whatever you do, you should do with all your might. Go for it!Work to the best of your ability.

But your ability may be much higher than you realize. It all comes back to attitude. Attitude is everything because it is involved in everything. It impacts our performance at work and our relationships. Attitude is the cornerstone upon which we build our lives.

If attitude is so important, we'd best understand its meaning. The American Heritage Dictionary defines attitude as a state of mind or feeling with regard to some matter. For me, attitude can be defined in one word: life. The attitude that you carry around makes an incredible difference in your life. It can be a powerful tool for positive action. Or it can be a poisonthat cripples your ability to fulfill your potential. Yourattitude dictates whether you are living life or life is livingyou. Attitude determines whether you are on the way or inthe way.

To develop an attitude that helps you live life to itsfullest, as you were designed to do, you must first understandthat the heart is the control center for your attitude.Your attitude is nothing but an outward reflection of whatresides on the inside. To change your attitude, you mustchange your heart.

Ear-Gate, Eye-Gate, and Mouth-Gate

The most powerful computer in the world is the humancomputer. Our programming, then, comes through what wehear, see, and say. We can be programmed for success or failurebased on how well we monitor what I call the ear-gate,eye-gate, and mouth-gate. What we see through our eye-gategoes directly into our hearts, frequently having a profoundeffect on our state of mind, sense of well-being, and, youguessed it -- our attitude. Likewise, what we hear throughour ear-gate has the power to lift us up or drag us down.Finally, the mouth-gate speaks to the heart-mouth connection.As the proverb says, "Out of the issues of your heart,your mouth speaks." Our words have a tremendous impacton our attitude and the attitudes of those around us.

These concepts will be more fully developed throughoutthe book. You will see that regardless of what you have takento heart throughout your life, it is possible to reprogramyour attitude. It's a powerful transformation that can bringyou both personal and professional success.

Keith Harrell's Reprogramming

Stories of my own reprogramming began early in life.

I spent most of my young adulthood chasing a dream tobecome a professional basketball player. In high school, I wasan All-American and the Most Valuable Player of our statechampionship team. I accepted a scholarship to Seattle University,where I was the team captain for three of my fouryears. I averaged more than sixteen points per game in mysenior year. In June of 1979, I expected to be drafted by aNational Basketball Association team. It was a dream that I had shared with everyone I knew. My family, friends, teammates,and others who had followed my career had come toexpect that it would happen, based on my success as a playerin high school and college.

On the day of the NBA draft, I waited and waited andwaited ... but the phone did not ring. I was devastated. I haddevoted myself to the sport and to my future as an NBAplayer. It was tough to give up on that dream. I felt cheatedwhen it didn't happen.

In the days and weeks that followed, the bitterness wasrevived every time someone commented on my failure to bedrafted. It didn't help when strangers would note my sixfoot-six-inch height and say, "You must play pro basketball."For a long time I fought the bitterness. Finally I decided tolet go of the negative feelings. I found a way to embrace thismajor change and focus on being positive instead. I realizedthat to grow inwardly I had to move on with my life.

I developed a new attitude and a new response to questionsabout my height. Not long ago, a woman seated next tome at a luncheon asked if I played with the NBA.

"Yes, I do," I replied. "I'm a first-round draft choice. I'mthe most valuable player. I'm owner of the team, and we winthe championship every year!"

"So you do play with the NBA?" she asked.

"Yes, I do. I play with my Natural-Born Abilities, and I'mslam-dunking every day!"

I did recover my positive attitude, but it took a focusedeffort to reframe my perspective, which is one of the keythings I'm going to teach you in this book ...