Maintaining a Positive Attitude in the
Workplace: Suzie’s Skill-Building Adventures

I love what I do. Even so, I don’t always have a positive attitude in the workplace.

I want to have it, but due to old, not helpful mind and emotion patterns AND normal life tensions, I don’t.

My personal gap in this area has been the driver for all of the Wake Up Eager and Inspiration tools found at this site.

On this page I’ll share what I did during the summer of 2009 to improve my own motivation and inspiration.

I’ve found that the secret to maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace is to continually pay attention to your life.

I recommend paying attention through the lens of the seven Wake Up Eager focus areas for maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace.

One of the seven Wake Up Eager focus areas is: Skill Building.

If you want a positive attitude in the workplace you must continually hone, re-energize and evolve your skills.

July 27 – July 29, 2009: Story Theater Retreat and Coaching with Doug Stevenson, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Opens a new window)

I read Doug’s book, The Story Theater Method, in 2007. In it he encourages leaders to share more of who you are by being authentic and open with others in your presentations.

His ideas felt right and inspiring to me.

His solid and practical step-by-step method for developing and sharing meaningful stories was a skill I knew I wanted to further develop.

Most of all, my heart soared as I read his book and listened to his audio tapes.

Note to Self and To You The Reader :When you feel your heart soar, that’s your Guidance telling you that what you’re focused on is a match to your intentions. Source/Guidance/God is letting you know: ‘This is a good thing for you.’ A Note from Suzie…

Here’s the setting of the workshop:

• 2.5 days


• 4 people (plus, coach Doug)


• Personal, beautiful and intimate setting – Pike’s Peak can be seen from the back deck at lunch


• Pre-work: We each develop a personal story that will be used in business using Doug’s Story Theater Method


• Class-work: We each present story, Doug coaches and it is all videotaped


• Homework: We rehearse coaching suggestions and present story again, 2nd day, with revisions and changes

  NOTE: The second day was amazing! Each of us greatly improved the power of our presentations on the 2nd the day - the coaching was excellent and accurate.

Here's my class. We're doing our 'Just Jack' impressions (from Will and Grace, when Jack was always being the star!) Pictured: Suzie, that's me the creator of this site, from Atlanta; Becky from Alaska; Doug the facilitator; Meg from Cincinnati; Kim from Denver.

How this program helped me maintain a
positive attitude in the workplace since my return:

• I feel more confident in my ability to deliver powerful and meaningful stories to audiences, a very important skill for success in my work. I’d read the book and listened to the audio, but I (most of us are this way) needed to put it into practice to actually ‘get’ it. Going to the workshop ‘forced’ me to really learn this skill. This is good.


• My desire to “be amazing” has been stoked through Doug’s encouragement and coaching. Sometimes I forget how amazing I can be – we all do. Sometimes we just needed to be reminded of this by someone else.


• I’m proud of myself for continually taking charge of my career and life. Self-empowerment is the root of having a positive attitude in the workplace.


• Getting out of my comfort zone by going to a new place, meeting new people and taking performance risks by being vulnerable seems to positively shake the psyche, mind and heart. Internal clutter is put aside and new awareness steps in.


• Read the story that I crafted using The Story Theater Method, here. (I tried to attached my video from the workshop but was unable to load the format. I hope this written story at least gives you a taste of an end-product from this Method.)

I'm Amazing, And So Are You...

During breaks in class Doug player this song, by Keb Mo, titled: "I'm Amazing."

It's my new favorite song. Very uplifting. Click here to listen to it for free now. (Opens a new window) This is one of those songs you feel, long after you've heard it.

The lyrics from "I'm Amazing":

I’m Amazing Brother, I need to talk to you. This might sound strange. And you’ll probably think I’m crazy and I’ve lost my mind. Well, okay I’m amazing; I’m incredible I’m a miracle, a dream come true I’m marvelous; I’m beautiful Guess what? So are you.

People, It’s becoming clear. I can feel it down in my soul. I know that I am you and you are me. Uh-oh. And I’m grateful for the simple things That we take for granted every day. Listen, I can walk I can talk, I can ...use my mind. Okay. I’m amazing; I’m incredible I’m a miracle, a dream come true I’m marvelous; I’m beautiful Guess what? So are you.

I'm Amazing... That don’t mean we’re better than anyone or anything. It’s a call to come together and accept responsibility.And be amazing, incredible. You’re a miracle, a dream come true. And I’m marvelous; I’m beautiful Guess what? So are you.

Like it? Need to coax your positive attitude in the workplace to a new place? Order it here and play it several times a day:

I highly recommend this program for all executives and consultants who want to inspire and lead more effectively.

Doug’s coaching is intuitive and honest, helpful and clear. Their website is: http://www.storytelling-in-business.com/retreats (Opens a new window.)

If you decide to make contact, tell Doug that I sent you!

Pay attention to the power of skill building in helping you maintain a positive attitude in the workplace, If its’ been slipping for you lately, find a teacher who inspires you, sign up and go!

To read about my other skill-building adventure, click here:

Click here to review the 22 items covered in the Wake Up Eager Survey.

Go to the define motivation and inspiration resources page now.

To contact Suzie directly, click here now.

Go to the Priceless Professional home page, now.