1. Staying Positive Even in a Negative Environment WYTRANS Conference July 16, 2011

2. Do you recognize any of these characters? Know-it-All Griper Drama Queen Steamer Perfectionist Wet Blanket Not-my-Jobber

3. Rumor Monger Slacker Pessimist Brown-noser Competitor Leaner Sourpuss Trainwreck

5. You can create a “pocket” of optimism!

6. Explore Your Attitude

7. Your Best Attitude Traits Patience Integrity Tact Courage Fairness Discipline Decisiveness Willingness to accept responsibility Willingness to take risks Ability to take pressure Determination Consistency Positive Attitude

8. Attitude is communicated to others in three ways: 7% by words 38% by tone of voice 55% in non-verbal mannerisms Attitude is communicated to others in three ways: 7% by words 38% by tone of voice 55% in non-verbal mannerisms

9. When we are not controlling our thoughts, they are controlling us.

10. A good attitude comes from conscious effort, not by chance.

11. Learn stress management techniques and practice them.

12. Live in the “now”

13. Get psyched!

15. Someone nice will always answer

16. Fake it ‘til you make it

17. Lead by example

18. Take the attitude of the believer, not the doubter.

19. Show appreciation

20. Take ownership

21. Pursue happiness

22. Take time each day to think of 3 things that happened at work that were positive.

23. Don’t over-react

24. Commit to change

25. Make a conscious choice and say, “I choose to feel better than this.”

26. What ONE thing in your agency would you like to change?

27. YOU

28. What steps have YOU taken to improve the quality of your work environment during the past Year? Month? Week?

29. Be sure to acknowledge positive changes … even the small ones.

30. Ban Whining

31. Teach others the art of WIN / WIN

32. Dump the drama

33. No complaining

34. Challenge the complainer to be part of the Solution.

35. Turn the tables… Let your positivity rub off on others.

36. It always starts with YOU.

37. Pay it Forward

38. Let the first thing you say brighten someone’s day.

39. Decide to MAKE A DIFFERENCE

40. The smallest good deed is greater than the grandest intention.

41. Act as if it all depends on you…

42. …in many ways it does.

43. “Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity.” Joseph Sugarman

44. Thank You for Attending! Jill Hough, Ph.D. Small Urban & Rural Transit Center Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University (701)231-8082 Jill.hough@ndsu.edu