"*Attitude is everything"* - You've probably heard the phrase before, quite possibly even in  one of my blogs if you've read enough of them. Applying it, the correct attitude, can be critical to a persons' progression, social-standing, relationships and indeed their state of being, and conversely, the lack of the appropriate attitude can have a destructive effect, or at least, an effect that inhibits development, growth, satisfaction and overall results a person achieves, or is capable of achieving. The same for when people combine to form groups or teams. One person's attitude can make or break team spirit.

<div class="pull-left">https://i.imgur.com/c3d6Glx.jpg</div>

I'm writing this blog in the corner you see in the image. It's sort of cosy tucked away amongst the books and interesting items around me. I'm in a café, hidden down the back, with a coffee and small ginger biscuit (cookie)...I'm hiding to be honest. Why? I have a bad attitude and don't want it to spill over to other's.

Examples of how attitude affects a person, or team, are everywhere. Take the process the SEAL Teams use to select potential operators. It's called BUD/S (*Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL* training). It's a brutal 24-week selection process of physical, emotional and mental abuse that weeds out around 75% of the initial candidates leaving only 25% who go on to join the *Teams* and the brotherhood that is the Navy SEALS. I have never done it of course, however I've read countless books about it, and other military-selection processes, and one thing that comes through every time is the critical importance of *attitude*. The importance of the *right* attitude. It's not the strong and fit that make it through, it's the strong and fit with the *right attitude*! 

Fortunately the general population never has to endure the stress and pressure of BUD/S but is a typical person's attitude any less important? I think not. Imagine an office environment in which poor attitude's are allowed to fester. It wouldn't be very productive, or indeed a good environment to be in, would it? What about a relationship between husband and wife...Same thing right? 

Now, back to my own attitude...I've left the office for the day and arrived here at this café because of one big reason which relates to the lack of the *correct attitude*. You see, I removed myself from the team-environment I work in due to the high likelihood of my attitude affecting others and that's not acceptable. I'm fortunate in that I have the ability to do so and today I will not go back to the office, call clients, take phone calls or do anything that may allow my poor attitude to imprint a negative affect upon others. That's important because if attitude is everything negativity through poor attitude runs a very close second! 

The reason for my poor attitude today isn't work related, it's personal. Health related actually. I can't deal with it overnight either, the health aspect I mean. I *can* deal with the attitude problem though and that's why I've taken a break, removed myself from any opportunity to affect others, so I can begin to deal with myself and *get right*. How though? 

For me the big driving factor in life is my *design and create* ethos and running parallel with it is the most important question I could ever ask myself: **_WHY_**. 

Why do the things I do. Why should I do this or that. Why work hard. Why treat people with respect. Why be 100% present in each moment. Why show ownership and responsibility...Why, why, why? Indeed, why have the right attitude? 

I'm not going to tell you the answer though, it's simply not relevant, not to you anyway. Your **_why_** will be different to mine and therefore you may not understand mine, or me your's. The point I'm trying to make is that in understanding your **_why_**, believing in it and driving at it with every fibre of your being, can your attitude be adjusted. So I am here, right now, remembering my **_why_**, running it though my mind like a movie, feeling the emotion of it, the benefit of attaining and fulfilling it. 

That's my process. Your's may be different. I sat here doing this for the last 30 minutes then began this post as I was starting to feel a little better, more myself. I stopped writing, thought some more, felt some more, then wrote again. The reminder I gave myself of my **_why_** took an almost immediate affect on me and my attitude. Am I all fixed? Hell no! I still have the same problems, concerns, worries and challenges to face, only that I know **_why_** I want to face them, and how to.

I could have closed my office door, made a gin and tonic and drowned in my poor attitude like a sinking ship but I chose not to. I could have allowed my poor attitude to affect my team, co-workers and clients. I could have headed home and had my poor attitude affect negatively upon my wife, like it did last night, but I didn't. Why? Because of my **_why_**. It's *that* powerful.

Not everyone will understand, or choose even to contemplate, this concept and certainly many would never bring themselves to deploy it but some do and some might. It's to those people I speak right now, those enlightened few who look at themselves and wonder if they are the best version of themselves and living their best life. Know your **_why_**, be clear about it, and remind yourself of it often. Own it. And...Never allow your poor attitude to affect others, it's not fair on them. 

Just before I finish up and order another coffee...A couple of things...Yes, I feel much better after having written this blog. It's somewhat cathartic as in writing the words I'm forced to *hear* them, to live them. So, thank you Steemit blog. Also, a word on negativity: People, events, places, thoughts etc. This is what I suggest...*Don't go as often and don't stay as long, and if you can avoid going altogether, do that.*

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 
P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209