Enjoying Life at -18 Degrees! – It’s all in Your Attitude

Winter in Minnesota has been particularly harsh this year. Recently the Weather Channel ranked Minneapolis/St. Paul the coldest major city in the U.S. Our all-time record low was -41 degrees, set in January 1888. On average we have 24 to 25 days each year with subzero temperatures and about 151 days of subfreezing temperatures.

And this year Old Man Winter is doing everything in his power to help us hold on to first place. According to the Minnesota Climatology Working Group, Minneapolis/St. Paul “has had the most subzero lows since December 1 since 1982.”

From horrifically slow weather-related commutes to cold temperatures in and out of the office, it can be trying to stay optimistic and productive. With extended school closings, weather cancellations, and now a propane shortage, it is safe to say that Minnesotans are not all happy campers. That stress spills into every aspect of our work and life.

We can’t change the weather, so what can we do short of retreating to a warmer climate? The truth is that if we have a bad attitude, it will follow us wherever we go, regardless of the temperature.

No matter how harsh the circumstances, the first thing to do is check our attitude.

Research confirms it: more than 200 scientific studies, collectively testing more than 275,000 people, show that a positive attitude is linked to higher salaries and greater success. (Source: Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine)

Four steps to change a bad attitude into a positive outlook:

1. Be grateful. Don’t stop at a passing “thanks.” Keep track of the good things. The list can be as simple as writing three things that went well during the day and why they were good. I highly recommend starting a gratitude journal; the act of writing is powerful in changing attitude.
2. Exercise. Current research says sitting all day is as detrimental to our health as smoking. Even better, get outside and move. Yes, even in Minnesota.
3. Meditate or pray daily. Just ten minutes a day is said to bring powerful benefits to the brain.
4. Fill the mind with positive thoughts. Do not give fuel to negativity. My favorite technique is from Dr. Wayne Dyer: simply repeat “love, love, love . . .” Before you laugh or dismiss it as hokey, give it a shot and notice the result.

Actively practicing these suggestions will support a strong positive attitude and, as they say, help us make lemonade out of lemons. Or as Minnesotans would say, turn snow into snow cones.

Let’s make the day a great and successful one by maintaining a positive attitude.