Positive attitude
Positive attitude means focusing on the full half rather than the empty half of the glass, focusing on finding solutions rather than being stuck on the problems. Seeing every obstacle and challenge as an opportunity for self growth, for exercising and strengthening our positive character traits. It’s taking personal responsibility rather than being stuck in a self-defeating pattern of complaining and victimhood. A growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. (Opposite: negative attitude)
Focusing on the desired
[TBD: To believe and tell myself that I am capable. Focus on what I can do, not what I cannot do. Take personal responsibility and not get stuck in the defeatist pattern of complaining and victimhood.]
Determination
Determination (also: Decisiveness, Resoluteness) is firmness of purpose, reaching definite conclusions regarding one’s goals, with no hesitation. (Opposite: indecisiveness)
Perseverance
Perseverance (also: Persistence, Tenacity) is to continue steadfastly and firmly in the pursuit of a task, mission, or journey in spite of obstacles, discouragement, opposition, distractions, fatigue, frustration, or previous failure. (Opposite: giving up)
Resourcefulness
Resourcefulness (also: ingenuity) is the ability to cope skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, or unusual problems, by finding clever, inventive, and original solutions. (Opposite: incompetence)
Equanimity
Equanimity is mental and emotional stability, composure, the ability to remain calm, think sensibly and act carefully, especially under stressful circumstances. (Opposite: agitation, anxiety, hysteria, rashness, irrationality)
Courage
Courage (also: Bravery, Valor) is the choice, willingness, and ability to confront a situation that poses danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, for the sake of a worthy goal. This ability allows one to overcome pain or emotions of fear and agony, and to act in spite of them according to what one believes is the correct course of action. Physical courage is the ability to act in the face of physical pain, hardship, even death or a threat of death. Moral (or ethical) courage is the ability to act according to one’s values and convictions in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement, or personal loss. (Opposite: cowardice)
Boldness
Boldness (also: Daringness, Audacity) is a willingness to do things despite risks such as shame or rejection in social situations. Determination in facing great danger, especially in battle. (Opposite: timidity, cowardice, shyness)
Resiliency
Resiliency is the ability to overcome significant adversity, usually in the form of difficult personal circumstances, a life changing event, a crisis, or a chaotic situation. It has the following properties:
- Ability to mentally and emotionally cope with the situation
- Adaptive response to the situation, remaining calm, responding rather than reacting to the situation
- After the crisis is over, returning to pre-crisis status quickly, without long-term negative consequences
Hardiness
Hardiness is having the courage and motivation to do the hard, strategic work of turning stressful circumstances from potential disasters into growth opportunities, while persisting through difficult circumstances and remaining healthy under stress.
Faith
Faith, as a positive quality, is having confidence and trust in one’s abilities, and belief that one’s efforts will succeed in attaining a desired future outcome, without doubt or hesitation. This is augmented by a belief that reality will also present resources and opportunities that will assist in that effort. There is a fine line between healthy useful faith on the one hand and unrealistic wishful thinking on the other hand. While faith is by definition the ability to believe that one can achieve a certain result even though it’s impossible to prove it with certainty, it does not mean ignoring or dismissing facts and evidence to the contrary, but rather having nonetheless good enough reasons to support one’s conviction. Faith allows us to maintain our motivation and efforts even when the complexities of reality make it unrealistic or impossible to achieve a high degree of certainty through rational reasoning alone.
Optimism
[TBD]
Humor
[TBD]
Ability to ask for help
[TBD]
Grit
Grit = Perseverance + Passion
Fortitude
Fortitude = Courage + Perseverance + Patience