Ryan Lochte and Choosing Attitude in Tough Times

“Honest, Maw, it was only a little fib!”

You’re right, Ryan, especially considering the level of “embroidering” we get from all political parties. You’re now paying a heavy price for a drunken, silly escapade that results (at time of writing) the loss of endorsements from Speedo and Ralph Lauren and more importantly your reputation.

In the greater scheme of things, Lochte’s infractions are minor and thus should allow for rehabilitation. Think Bill Clinton, Robert Downey, Brian Williams, Charlie Sheen. The list could be never ending. In the meantime, there is one question that can truly help Lochte get through what must be a pretty miserable (self-inflicted) mess.

What do I want my Attitude to be?

In his wonderful book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl wrote that everything can be taken from a person, except the ability to choose your attitude in even the worst circumstances.

Whether we like it or not, we all hit pot holes and speed bumps. When we hit those speed bumps and potholes, the question that will help you, the question that helps me regularly is “What do I want my Attitude to be?”

The question is powerful, because when you ask that question, you are unlikely to say, “I want to be angry, I want to be annoyed, I want to be upset. ”

No, when you ask “What do I want my attitude to be?” you are much more likely to respond, “I don’t want to be angry, I don’t want to be upset, I don’t want to be annoyed” and having answered the question that way, you will make some effort not to be angry, not to be annoyed, not to be upset.

“What do I want my attitude to be?”  does work. Even when stopped by Illinois’ finest as this little clip demonstrates!!!

Keep on keepin’ on, good people!