Sometimes you just need a reset like the ECU or the module you're working on when everything starts to go haywire. What you need is an attitude reset. It’s all about perspective and mindset.
My grandfather, who was a tire salesman in Chicago in the first part of his life, always told me not to say, “I hate this…” but instead say, “I dislike this or that.” Using strong words with negative connotations gets embedded in our brains and multiplies like a virus.
Working toward gratitude in our daily lives will bring much more happiness and inner peace. But it’s not easy to remember to stay positive. My dad was one of those people who had rose-colored sunglasses on 24/7. My brother and I would always joke about it because he was so far from our “reality” that it didn’t make sense. But then I realized he had to tell himself these things in a positive way, or he wouldn’t believe in it.
Growing up in an automotive-oriented family, I learned I had mechanical ability early on. I also found out that working on cars could be the most frustrating thing in the world if you have a bad attitude.
While I found cursing often helped me vent my frustration, swearing never fixed a single vehicle, as far as I know. It did make me feel better for a second or two, but the underlying frustration was still there. Maybe I didn’t have the right tool for the job (which was often the case). Or I didn’t have the knowledge I needed to follow the correct procedures. I’m more of take it apart and figure out how to put it back together afterward kind of guy.
Case in point, my 5-speed bicycle that I got for my seventh birthday. It had a stick shift in the center and a banana seat. It was cool, but I was not satisfied with the performance, so I decided to take it apart. However, I didn’t pay attention to what I was doing and couldn’t put it back together. My parents had to take it to the bike shop to have it rebuilt. Lesson learned: I built a Quarter Midget from spare parts (on my own) when I was 12 years old.
I’m trying to make the point that everyday life and working on cars (or with shops that work on cars) can be frustrating. You can get caught up in the little irritating things like bad customers and vehicles that are a complete disaster, but you still have to work through it to the end. But you can get your inner peace back in check with an attitude reset.
Heather Faulkner, a clinical programs supervisor at Diversus Health, says, “My attitude of gratitude starts with being optimistic. The journey of life is challenging at times, and confronting those challenges with a perspective of optimism is how I tackle the impossible. I have learned to take things one step at a time and to be grateful for each step I get closer to my personal and professional goals.”
Faulkner suggests that to develop this “attitude of gratitude,” you should begin by doing the following:
1. Ask yourself, what are you grateful for?
2. Write down three things that you are grateful for each morning.
3. Tell someone three things that happened which made you grateful.
4. Start a gratitude journal.
5. Give yourself credit for the big and small wins.
6. Acknowledge other people and thank them for what they do for you.
7. Meditate on gratitude.
8. Surround yourself with people who share a mindset of gratitude.
9. Give thanks for what you have and where you are in your life right now.
10. Commit to practicing gratitude.
Working on cars and trucks, and sometimes motorcycles for a living (or assisting those who do), can be a challenge if I’m being polite. The reality is that it is often tricky, with days filled with never-ending problems and issues to solve. By practicing gratitude daily, you will be rewarded by one of the most influential people in your life – you. Give it a try.
