The Power of a Positive Attitude

I sometimes forget how nontraditional court reporting school is. I was reminded of it recently when chatting with a non c.r. friend about what a typical class is like. It reminded me just how quirky the program really can be, especially from an outside perspective. If I were to tell an outsider that in our classes we focus a great deal on the power of positive thinking, that we practice breathing exercises, as well as perform visualization techniques to help maintain a calm, focused mindset while testing, well, they just might think us a little crazy. After all, that doesn't seem like something you would do in a typical classroom. But, then again, court reporting isn't so typical. It is most definitely a skill that not only takes a toll on your body, but also on your mind. The constant up and down roller coaster to get to 225 can really affect your mental state. I battle negativity, self-doubt, and frustration constantly. If you can't learn how to kick that negativity to the curb, you will NEVER succeed.
Our instructors are fantastic at givings us tips and tools to help keep us motivated to keep going. They understand that there are days when you feel like you've been beaten to a bloody pulp, chewed up, spit out, only to land on your tush with pouring rain gushing down on top of you. Oh, and wait, and then a giant city bus drives by and splashes up a muddy pool of polluted water into your face just to spite you...hmm..did I give you a good enough visual? Okay, so maybe it sounds a bit dramatic, but in all reality, some days just feel crummy like that. But still, after all that, you gotta find a way to get back up, dust yourself off (okay, maybe dry yourself), and keep going. You can see how much of a battle it can be to truly remain positive. No matter how hard it seems, I have learned the value of a positive attitude both when it comes to school, as well as in my personal life. It is the key to remaining confident, resilient, and focused. My instructor shared this video with us tonight, so I thought I would share with you too. It definitely highlights the power of thinking positively.

http://www.powerofattitudemovie.com/