Kerry Robertson

Kerry Robertson’s unique experience as a television news anchor and talk show host combined with her background as an award-winning educator distinguishes her as a leader in her field. Kerry’s high energy and contagious enthusiasm are trademarks that make her a favorite with her clients who range from Olympic champions and CEOs to leading government agencies and  universities.

See Kerry live at the 2006 Soar Higher Leadership Conference. Click here for more details.

Contact Soar with Eagles for more information on Kerry at 479.903.0208 or carrie@soarhigher.com

How to Thrive and Survive at Work

It may seem a little simplistic, but in today’s increasingly complex world, a positive attitude is most likely a person’s best survival tool. Oprah Winfrey recently asked poet Maya Angelou on her 70-something birthday what she had learned in life. Her answer spoke volumes about the power of our attitude and how it affects our lives professionally and personally. Maya Angelou said this: I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”

Our daily routines are filled with “pains” and pleasures, countless ongoing stimuli, both positive and negative. The way we interpret these stimuli determines, largely, how we live our life. Learning to concentrate on the positive brings more joy and resiliency into our life. If we focus on the negative, our lives can become dismal and disappointing.

However, it’s difficult to stay positive. It’s human nature. Problems at home, illness, inconsiderate co-workers, and even tangled Christmas tree lights can distract our positive focus. Remaining positive is a life-long challenge that takes commitment and work. Those who succeed in consistently focusing on the positive have learned how to control their attitude. Below are four suggestions that may help you create a more positive focus.

1. Focus on what’s positive about your job. People who are consistently negative toward work, are doing a disservice to their co-workers, employers, and themselves. Make a commitment to think, act, and talk about only the positive aspects of your work.

2. Be a team member and build a reputation for being pleasingly predictable and a pleasure to be around. When we participate as a member of the team, we gain a feeling of acceptance instead of isolation. We experience the joy of reaching common goals, creating an enjoyable work environment and the opportunity to deepen work relationships.

3. Think of your job as a place where good things happen. Thinking of your job as a 40-hour weekly drudgery will add stress to your life. Strive for an upbeat, good-natured attitude. Remember, some days there won't be a song in your heart … SING ANYWAY! It will lift you up instead of drag you down.

4. Position yourself for more success by sharpening your people skills. A negative attitude towards your work can sidetrack your success and negatively influence your personal life. Research shows that 85 percent of your career and financial success depends on how well you get along with other people. Your people skills reflect your attitude about life and can affect your success.

Control your outlook on life and you will win where others fail just as Maya Angelou did when she said, “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve also learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Now watch how your positive attitude enhances your life and the lives of others around you.

Here’s to not only surviving, but thriving at work!