Know someone with “baditude”?

While posting on my Facebook biz page (see www.facebook.com/MarionSpeaks) sometime ago, I think I invented a new word — “baditude”. Know what it means? I bet you can guess. Here’s my definition.

The word, “baditude” is a mashup that describes a bad attitude.

Chances are there’s someone in your workplace right now with a “baditude” and spilling it all over others. Maybe there are even days when that person is you. As a leader, it’s important to be aware of your attitude because, whether you realize it or not, it’s contagious. You are affecting others.

In my keynotes and training sessions, I often remind people that you create your own reality. Part of that reality is founded on your attitude. If you constantly have “baditude”, chances are you’re not going to like the results you’re achieving. The good news about baditude is that you can change it.

You have 100% control over your own attitude.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not discounting the tough circumstances that life may be rolling in your direction. Life isn’t fair. Whoever told you that it was, lied. Sadly, bad things happen to good people and conversely, some people you may not think deserve breaks seem to get an inordinate amount of them. (PS: You don’t know their full story. Things are seldom as they appear).

POINT: You don’t control what life throws in your direction but you do control how you react to it.

Your attitude affects everything you think, say and do, including how you communicate with clients, colleagues, bosses, and employees. That’s why it’s so important to keep it in check. Passionate, demonstrative people may voice their negativity. Others may withdraw and clam up, which is equally distancing yourself from others. Both behaviours can be counterproductive and present as baditude.

But how to replace your baditude with a positive attitude? Research offers some answers.

In his book, “The Survivors Club”, Ben Sherwood references Professor Richard Wiseman from England who did some research on people who considered themselves “lucky”. What the good professor concluded was that “Being in the right place at the right time is actually all about being in the right state of mind”. He found that “lucky” people perceived an opportunity where others saw only a loss.

So what loss are you mourning? What difficulty are you dealing with? What change is being thrust upon you? What, exactly, are you blaming for your “baditude”?

Dr. Al Siebert, one of America’s foremost authorities on survival psychology, advises that “Life’s best survivors react to disruptive change forced on them as though it is change they desired.” Wow! Imagine if you welcomed change, whatever type. What if you said, “yes!” (insert fist-pump) and embraced the opportunity in the situation?

Maybe you’ve been given a package and unexpectedly, your career is over. Or is it? Instead of bemoaning the loss of a job, what opportunities does this situation provide? Maybe it’s time to pursue that “other” career you never really had time for before. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to practice your financial skills in setting up a budget and (hoorah!) finally getting a real handle on expenses out and revenues in.

You’re now in control. In fact, you always were.

Whether you are a victim or a victor is a question of perception and attitude. Your workmates may well be experiencing a similar crisis as you are. Some, hopefully including you, will have the ability and choose to see the positive while others will stay mired in the “poor me” mode. Instead of allowing a disruptive change or life challenge to beat you, you have the ability to shake off “baditude”, step back, and focus on how it could be a win.

Losing the “baditude” will affect everything you think, say and do, and in turn, the results you get.

Control what you can, and that means your attitude, even in the face of stress and bad news. Acknowledge the pain and loss, then brace yourself to move forward.

You have the ability within you. Now go let it out.

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