During times of change...attitude is everything Published June 10, 2007 By Chief Master Sgt. Liz Atisme 419th Fighter Wing Command Chief HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- "That will never work!" "What were they thinking when they came up with that idea?" Have you ever said these words or heard someone else say these words when introduced to a new concept? So often our first reaction when faced with change is negative thoughts of why it can't or won't work instead of how we can make it work. As we approach upcoming changes, positive attitudes are very important to the accomplishment of our mission. We all need to embrace change and focus on the success those changes could bring. Sure, at times it's easier to see the negative impacts of change because it takes us out of our comfort zone, but if we all take a little more time and look a little bit deeper it won't be hard to find positive aspects of the change. Everyone knows that change is never easy. It's difficult for most people most of the time. People with negative attitudes usually go down the same bumpy road and do the same things over and over before they find the right path. Unfortunately, sometimes that results in costly delays in mission accomplishment. Contrary to the popular belief about change, all you need is willpower, resolve, and strength of character. We know that it is not easy to change but change is achievable if we are willing and able, if we value change, if we have the ability to make the change and if we are committed. In other words, in order to change you have to be motivated and motivation is an internal process; a process which involves being accepting, open, and positive. Maintaining a positive attitude allows us to remain hopeful and eventually lead us to success. As we face change, we must be mindful that others are always watching. Watching for our reaction; watching for our acceptance or opposition as a behavior to emulate. That's why it is so important to keep an open mind and remain positive. Just as negative attitudes can quickly infect our shops, having a positive attitude will encourage others to think positively, embrace change, improve performance, and boost morale. From the top of the officer ranks to the bottom of the enlisted ranks, we must all strive to and encourage others to remain open, reminding ourselves to focus on positive opportunities and benefits in all situations. The following story is one that reminds me how powerful a positive attitude can be. Jerry was a restaurant manager who was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He had several waiters who had followed him from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. One night Jerry was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand shaking from nervousness, slipped the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. As he was being wheeled into the emergency room he saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses and got really scared. In their eyes he read, He's a dead man. One of the nurses asked if he was allergic to anything to which he replied yes. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for his reply.....He took a deep breath and yelled, "BULLETS!" Over their laughter, he told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. In the words of Charles Swindoll, "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it." Remember, it's not about the obstacles you face in life, but how you approach and tackle those obstacles. So remain focused and choose to be positive; after all, attitude is everything.