The Attitude of the Savvy Independent Consultant

A wise man once said that attitude is the paintbrushbusiness encounter you have. If you positively
of the mind with which we color our lives. We canvisualize the outcome, it will be a determining factor
choose whatever color we wish. To take it a stepon your actions and your actions will determine your
further, it is everything a person thinks or feels aboutresults. Feedback from your results, if analyzed
objects, persons, or issues. How we think or feelproperly, will improve your attitude and future results.
provides the color.Your attitude can therefore make or break you. If
As an independent consultant, you are dependentyou lose a client or if a client becomes so obnoxious
upon your knowledge, skills, habits, and attitudes forthat you have to end the relationship, reframe or
your success in life's journey. Life is a series of upsthink of it as a new opportunity -- an opportunity to
and downs. The business cycle is a series of ups andreplace a client who has been a drag with one that is
downs. And, indeed the economy is a series of upsbetter. Redouble your effort to do so and visualize a
and downs. You have to be able to ride the ups anddesirable outcome.
manage the downs, and still stay above theIt is important to reframe such an experience in your
competition.work life, and indeed, often in other areas of your
Controlling your attitude is an essential way of doinglife, to have a positive meaning. Although it is not
so. As human beings we are subject to emotionsalways easy to see the positive side of a situation, it
which have a direct bearing on our attitude. Keep indoes not mean it does not exist. It means that you
mind that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are allare not seriously searching for it. Instead of asking
related. In that they are all related, if you focus onwhy this had to happen to me, ask what can I learn
changing your thoughts and behaviors, the emotionsor how can I benefit from this experience.
will follow naturally. Change your thoughts andAsking positive empowering questions produce similar
behaviors and you will change your emotions.types of emotions, and consequently a good attitude.
Attitude control can take the ups higher and shortenAn independent consultant with a good attitude is
the downs. Thinking as it refers to beliefs requiresmaster of his environment. In his mind things are
that you believe that you would succeed in everyeither great or getting better.