Attitude

I was recently reading an article by a psychologist that listed the mental skills of successful athletes. Attitude was the number one attribute on that list. Attitude is listed in dictionaries as:
"a personal view of something: an opinion or general feeling about something." The author then went on to say that attitude is a choice. He was of course referring to having a positive attitude. I thought after reading this he made it sound so easy to have a 'positive' attitude, we just have to will it and if we didn't have a positive attitude it was our own fault.
I have found that having a positive attitude is important, no question.It is easy to have a positive attitude when you are about to start a new endeavor. There's the excitement and anticipation that you are beginning something which will bring or create positive change(s) in your life. Then, often times reality sets in, the road to reaching your goal becomes difficult for various reasons. A change in your attitude occurs, perhaps you become negative, pessimistic or discouraged. This is a normal reaction.
Here's what I suggest you do when this change in attitude happens:
First off, expect it and recognize that what you are experiencing occurs, in one way or another, to most others seeking excellence. You are in no means lesser a person or athlete for having these feelings.
Then---realize that persistence is the key to everyone who achieves success, be it the Olympian or the local road racer. Stumbling blocks and setbacks are sometimes signals that you need to reassess your plan of action. I have often told people that they should write something like this down and leave it where they can see it everyday---Persistence is the Key to Success. That is why I also encourage others to read articles and books that, among other things, are about people who have been persistent.
Remember that often, doing the best you can and trying your hardest can have as much validity and satisfaction as being a champion or being what some describe as a successful person. I should add that what is deemed as being successful as a person is subjective.
When your positive attitude falters always remember to count your blessings as they say---remember that you have the presence of mind, health and ability to even pursue your goals, so many people don't. As an aside, I used to tell my kids this fact--- the majority of people in our world go to bed without having enough to eat, so what are you complaining about?
More on attitude and the attributes soon.
It's a work day but I just had to run--a grand massive total of 18 minutes--but like I said the other day---I did something towards my goal---stretching throughout the day--as usual.
So what have you got planned?