A few weeks ago I was going to quit my job; a job that I believe I do not need so much for the money but for my career prospects. I was a mad and bitter man. I had allowed one of my bosses to actually make me mad. We both knew she was in the wrong but because she did not own up, I was so mad, until I realized I was the double looser here.

I realised that no one else makes us angry. We make ourselves angry when we surrender control over our attitude.

What someone else has done is irrelevant because we can choose, to be or not to be angry. People’s attitudes are merely put to the test.

If we select a volatile attitude by becoming hostile, angry, jealous or suspicious, then we have failed the test. If we condemn ourselves by believing that we are unworthy, then again, we have failed the test.

The process of human change begins within us. We all have tremendous potential and we all desire good results from our efforts. Many people are willing to work hard and pay the price that success and happiness demands.

We all have the ability to put our unique human potential into action and to acquire a desired result. But attitude is the one thing that determines the level of our potential, if we want to increase the intensity and quality of our work.

You are not limited to the life you are currently living. Any time you are ready to go beyond your limitations, you will realise that you are capable of doing more than you previously thoughts you could achieve.

Attitude determines how much of the future we are allowed to see. It decides the size of our dreams and influences our determination when we are faced with new challenges. No single person on earth has dominion over an individual’s attitude.

People can only affect our attitude by teaching us poor thinking habits or unintentionally misinforming us or providing us with negative sources of influence, but no one can control our attitude unless we voluntarily surrender that control.

If we care at all about ourselves, then we must accept full responsibility for our own actions. We must learn to guard against emotions that have the capacity to destroy a positive attitude. Instead people should strive to strengthen emotions that can lead us confidently into a better future.

If we want to receive the rewards the future holds for us, then we must exercise the most important choice given to us as members of the human race-- maintaining total dominion over our attitude.

Attitude is an asset, a treasure of great value, which must be protected at all costs. Beware of the vandals and thieves among us who would injure our positive attitude or seek to steal it away.

Having the right attitude is one of the prerequisites of success. A positive attitude benefits us as individuals, the people we work with and those we come into contact with on a daily basis.

The right attitude is what gives us the inner strength and firm resolve to influence our existence.

The author is a regular contributor to The New Times