ATTITUDE REFERS to the way we look at things. One can have a good or bad attitude. Allow me highlight some insights on the subject that I share in my book, HOW TO UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL.

What’s your attitude towards manual work? Some people have failed to succeed in life because they underestimate certain kinds of work that require physical energy, yet some human beings have to discover their route to success beginning with that kind of work.

What’s your attitude towards the rich? For some people, every rich man they see around is either corrupt, a thief, a killer or a devil-worshipper. If you have such a faulty attitude, you cannot be motivated enough to work hard and get rich.

What’s your attitude towards money? Do you consider it good or evil? Some people think money is evil and so they don’t put in enough efforts to earn it. Others consider it too good that they almost worship it as a god. Both attitudes are misleading. It’s important that we look at money as a tool to bring us happiness as well as a positive impact on society. What’s your attitude towards saving? Are you willing to make sacrifices and postpone gratification so as to save and invest?

What’s your attitude towards learning? Some people believe they completed education the moment they stepped out of school. How mistaken they are! Many of such people have had their potential locked by their deliberate refusal to open their minds to new ideas. 

What’s your attitude towards people? People are part of the units of the chain that links us to our destiny, not a ladder that we step on as we climb towards our destiny. A chain is something you can hold onto while a ladder is something you step on. If you always find yourself stepping on people’s egos, think twice. You might not maximize your full potential when you have people around cursing instead of celebrating with you.

What’s your attitude towards challenges? Many people don’t want to take responsibility and so they look for someone to blame for their problems. It’s not uncommon to find people complaining about everyone – the neighbour who is untidy, the workmates who gossip, the boss who is cruel, the relatives who are not understanding, the pastor who talks a lot, the politicians who lie – and the ugly song goes on. 

My advice is that we should stop blaming others for causing our problems and instead start blaming ourselves for delaying the solution. Blaming the government, police, the ‘connected’ family friend who did not connect you to a juicy job or the loaded uncle who refused to give you capital, might appease your heart but it doesn’t mean those you blame will take the responsibility for solving your problem.

People who are spiritually struggling might blame the priest for their loss of faith. A man who sexually abuses his employees might blame them for dressing provocatively. A restaurant owner whose customers have fled his rudeness might allege that his competitors are using witchcraft. 

The time has come for Africa to arise. This is the right time for us to develop the right attitude and unleash our potential.

Bake is the MD, World of Inspiration & Founder of the Authors’ Forum in Uganda.