Changing Your Attitude = Changing Your Life

By Erika Willitzer – Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development. Proudly Sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County.

If you’ve been in Northwest Ohio awhile, you’ll often hear Defiance Mayor Mike McCann quoting author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar’s famous quote. “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that will determine your altitude!”

There’s also this famous parable that drives home the intention behind that famous quote. If you haven’t heard it before. There are three bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing. The first man answered gruffly, “I'm laying bricks.” The second man replied, “I'm putting up a wall.” But the third man said enthusiastically and with pride, “Who me? Why I'm building the world's most beautiful cathedral.”

Now fast forward 5 years. Which one of these 3 do you think is the most successful brick layer? Most would choose the third man. Incorrect. Why? Because I'm pretty sure that man is no longer a brick layer. I bet within 2 years he became a general contractor and is now the architect who is designing those exquisite cathedrals.

Makes sense…Right?  Except for when those with bad attitudes creep into your psyche. Lately, I’ve been seeing some pretty hateful comments posted on various social media platforms from local people. Some comments are so disturbing, I wouldn’t dare repeat. The crazy part is that these “bad attitude” people have no shame, they post with their names attached.

Our office posted a highlight piece on our local law enforcement in Defiance, Ohio, and the comments were appalling. Our men and women in blue, do so much for our community. They take the phrase “To Serve and Protect,” so seriously, it’s as if it was imprinted in their DNA. It’s like breathing for them.

Please know and I’m speaking to those “bad attitude” folks only, be advised, when people are looking to hire their next team member, they are checking your online presence. And if you are wondering why, you are not getting far in life, maybe it’s time to do an attitude check and a revamp of your online profile.

You need to ask yourself, how do you create a cathedral, instead of just laying a brick. Once you start asking that question and stop the negativity, you’ll be headed in the right direction.  Remember, it’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that will ALWAYS determine your altitude!

Written by Erika Willitzer, Executive Director at Defiance County Economic Development.

Feel free to reach out to Erika@DefianceCountyED.com, if you plan to expand your business or have any other business need. I'd be happy to help.