Blog

How do you focus on achieving a positive attitude?

Your attitude affects every single aspect of your life - from your personal life to your professional life, to the lives of the patients you take care of.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your attitude change from day-to-day?
• Is your attitude the type of attitude that people want to be around?
• If attitude was contagious, would you want anyone to catch yours?

These are all vital questions you should be asking yourself, especially if you are in the healthcare industry.

This quote from Nobody's Home: Candid Reflections of a Nursing Home Aide by Thomas Edward Gass hones in on the importance of having a positive attitude in healthcare:

The book highlights the fact that attitude is a vital aspect of almost everything we do. In fact, every question we ask a patient has some root in a positive attitude.

Remember: Attitude is contagious. It affects and impacts everyone around you. Think about what it is like to be around a grouch. When you’re around a negative person, does it lift you up, or bring you down?

In most cases, it will bring you down.

Not everyone shares the same level of positive attitude and engagement like you. Keeping this in mind, here are five attitudes of engagement at a hospital.

The Importance of a Positive Attitude: 5 Attitudes of Engagement at a Hospital

1. Superstars: 3% of the workforce. They will always rise to the top
2. Winners: 20% of the workforce. They come in early, stay late, and have a desire to contribute. They want to get ahead and make a difference
3. Grinners: Over 50% of the workforce. These employees just get by. They are there for a paycheck and typically just sit on a fence. Leadership and coaching are vital for Grinners.
4. Whiners: 25 % of the workforce. They do as little as possible and always want something for nothing. They have toxic attitudes with co-workers and/or patients.
5. Slugs: 2-10 % of the workforce. Slugs are counterproductive. Management keeps them around because they don't want frontline staff to work short, but they shouldn't really be there. These people are negative and have a bad work ethic.

Ask yourself:

1. Which attitude do you think you show?
2. Which attitude would your peers say you represent?
3. What is the best way to communicate with each of the five attitudes?

Attitude Matters

Remember: Attitude always matters.

No patient or co-worker wants to be around someone who is negative, or worse, indifferent. Does a negative attitude serve you well? Does it serve anyone well?

A negative attitude will bring people down, and the type of attitude you have - whether negative or positive - has a domino effect. When you are positive, it shines a light on you and everyone around you.

How would you gauge your attitude? How would other people rate your attitude on a scale of one to ten? These are all important questions to ask yourself, especially when working in healthcare. This is because, in a hospital environment, your attitude can have a direct impact on patients as well as coworkers.

If someone around you is negative, don’t let that negativity consume you. You cannot let the things that you can’t control interfere with the things that you can control.

Focus on creating a positive attitude and making a difference with each and every single patient you interact with. Bring a light and shine it wherever you are, because at the end of the day, making a difference is up to you.

Our ‘Do it’ Recommendations

1. Please state a recent example of how you maintained a positive winner’s attitude when in a difficult situation with a patient or team member
2. Describe the positive outcome achieved as a result. How did it feel?

Everyone’s a Caregiver: Providing Education for Healthcare Workers

Everyone's a Caregiver provides education to healthcare workers to better improve their patient's overall experience. We understand the time constraints placed in today's workplace and have customized microlearning videos that can help you gain the skills you need to be a better, more positive healthcare worker. Contact us today to see how we can help, or click here to learn more.